Welcome back to our series about cheap seat options available in the West End. This week, we are at one of the capital’s venues which is Olivier-eligible but small in scale.
Show and venue
The Human Body at Donmar Warehouse – £38 ticket, preview price
Seat
Booked Circle B4
Expectation
I have sat at the side at the Donmar before, and with a capacity of 251 there is no such thing as a ‘bad’ view of the performance, as you are so close to the actors and the seats are well-raked.
No glasses, squinting, or dodging around the heads of people in front required.
Reality
I had an excellent view of the stage, which is on a revolve, but the decision to utilise a screen with video means this aspect is often missed or obacured in part by the placement of lights.
It isn’t a major issue, but clearly, this aspect of the production was a major design choice with the actors filmed live, and lights could have been placed a little higher, perhaps?
Evidence
At a different angle to the production shots I can’t highlight the view clearly, but I took this shot at the cast bows with the projection screen behind them.
From row B, the light that descends covers a chunk of the middle right of the screen. I think it is an acceptable restriction for the price.
Note: this production ran 3hr 15 at this first preview.
And here is an official shot by Marc Brenner showing an example of the video work:
Next time – A Mirror, at Trafalgar Theatre