I have questions about Shakespeare plays in Stratford

[BudgetQ]

I am thinking of going to see a Shakespeare play by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford later this year. Probably Othello or a Midsummer Night’s Dream. I’ve never been before, but this has always been on my bucket list!

I have just been on the website and can see that there’s all sorts of priority booking levels for people who donate to the theatre, and the tickets go on sale to them first.

I am presuming that some seats will be more uncomfortable / have a worse view than others, as is the case in most theatres but especially the older ones.

So as a non-member, non-patron, non-friend of the theatre, just a bog-standard visitor, do I stand any chance of booking a couple of decent seats? And if so, do you have any tips for which ones to get and how and when to get them?!

We didn’t have tickets when we went to Stratford for a short break and was advised to go to the theatre at about 11am. We did this and was able to buy two return tickets, performers return tickets they don’t need, we ended up with two excellent seats. We’re going again later this year, we received a gift of a hotel stay with tickets package from family, you may be able to do that.

I saw A Midsummer Night's Dream by the rsc in Stratford in March. We didn't manage to book great seats due to finances but me and my two daughters' tickets were £40. Hands down my favourite theatre experience ever despite being right at the back on the high seats.

I've attached our seat details and the view just to give you an idea of what we saw.
Also, give Red hot mammas pizza a go, it was a short walk away and has a great food and ambience.

if you google the RSC seating plan you'll get an idea. I've had good seats before as a non-member. Good luck!

I didn't know you could do that, sounds good!

Yes you can. We got front row for the recent A Midsummer's Night Dream for about £50 each after public booking had opened but there were plenty cheaper. They sometimes do last minute rush cheap seats especially for previews. We have also booked a week or so ahead in the past and still had a choice of seats and prices. The theatre is in the round so there are good views from most angles and they often use the auditorium for entrances/exits. You can check the view of the stage from each seat. None are particularly uncomfortable, I'm not sure what you mean by A Midsummer's Dream though, as that is a transfer to the Barbican in London not in Stratford.

We've had good seats (as non-members/non-patrons) even on Saturday evenings. Might be worth checking different days of the week for availability if you have flexibility about when you can go.

Here is the seating plan.

Just book online and you will have a great choice of seats. The closer to the date then the less choice.

actually even restricted view seats tend to be ok but anything in the mid section is great and stalls or circle is largely preference. Get near the front and it’s a visceral experience.

If anyone is under 25 then they can get a £10 TikTok ticket (if they register).

They rarely have a dud. Hope you love it.

If you go in the summer you can watch a show in the outdoor theatre (I think it's as you like it)

Midsummer nights dream is showing in London and not in SUA (it's finished it's run).

As a local/relative of an employee I can say the popular shows sell out fast but you can pick up returns on the day.

It's such a tiny theatre that I've never had a bad seat! I've got the £10 tickets in the last and even that was a good seat.

Ooh thank you everyone, sounds very positive! Yes I made a mistake about Midsummer Night’s Dream, think it will be Othello then, as I do want to go to Stratford. I’m going to make a note of the day the tickets go on general sale and try to get in there early!