Welcome back to our look at the cheap seat options across the West End – this week I had three in a row with slightly different experiences. Read on to find out more.
Show and venue
A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic – £10 (PWC scheme, limited seats at this price available for each preview)
Seat
Booked row D dress circle (value £50), upgraded to stage stalls P (value £77).
Expectation
Fairly low for the original seat, which I picked because all the stalls options were gone. However I knew very little about how the show was staged., which is on a central platform with walkways off it.
Reality
As I was upgraded to stage stalls, I had a great view and was able to participate in all the immersive bits – no spoilers, but includes handling of props. consumption of food, and more.
Evidence
You can see my pre-show view below. I’m not sure if these seats are generally available during PwC previews, but if they are, snap them up. I would avoid the circles for this production unless there is no other option.
Show and venue
Dear England at the Prince Edward – £20.00 (What’s On Stage)
Seat
Grand circle F 28
Expectation
I knew it would be a long way away from the stage, but some research on SeatPlan and Theatremonkey suggested the view would be fine. And with an aisle seat and no row behind me, leaning forward or out to see if needs be would not be an issue.
Reality
The legroom is extremely poor in this row – I am 5ft 5 and had to stick a leg out into the aisle stairs for comfort. Sound was very clear, view fine (there is a rail in sight in row A but than can be easily ignored, and the video projections are repeated for the grand circle seats to avoid any irritation at the obstruction of them by the set design).
Evidence
You can see from the photo below pre-show the view I had. An excellent budget option for this production, and a quick and easy exit, plus first dibs at the loos if you need them at the interval. Just stick to the aisle and avoid if you are tall (row G which is short and slightly off-centre looks to have acceptable leg room).
Show and venue
Backstairs Billy at Duke of York’s – £10 through official show website
Seat
Stalls AA 8, front row
Expectation
The ticket warned “limited view, you will be looking up’ so I expected a bit of neck ache. This was offset by the knowledge I would be able to make out the expressions on the actors’ faces, something you can’t always do from two circles up.
Reality
You have a great view up the actors’ noses in the opening scene, but this quickly improves. You can’t see feet or the famous rug the servants have to walk around, and you have to be alert if you want to catch the corgis running across in their brief appearances in act 1, but the legroom is excellent and the seats extremely comfortable – and those in the row behind you have to look up and have paid a lot more.
This is a great budget option for this production (not sure if £10 tickets remain available, but there are £20 ones across the run – do your research and I would personally avoid the grand circle at this venue having been a little uncomfortable at Shirley Valentine). For a more complex show you may not wish to be this close and looking up, but that’s your call.
Evidence
Hard to give a clear idea of this seat as no view of the set was available pre-show or in the interval, but this gives you an idea of how near row AA is and the angle you have to look up, which isn’t that bad. There is easy and quick access to the exit, too.
