Welcome back to the latest in my series looking at budget options seats in London. Today we’re in the West End,, where My Neighbour Totoro is today’s show from the cheap seats.
Show and venue
My Neighbour Totoro, Gillian Lynne Theatre, £35
Seat
Booked Circle A69
Expectation
Side view, with a cushioned rail that ‘may obstruct the view for small children’, according to the ticket. I am 5ft 5, so expected a good view.
Reality
This is a interesting one. The show has been designed very much with head-on symmetry in mind, but that’s fine when viewed from the side.
You do however miss quite a bit taking place on the extreme side of the stage. Leaning forward helps a bit, but some action just can’t be seen.
I’d call this a seat with a slightly restricted view -more so than the pillars at the Old Vic or Almeida, but less so than the cheap Upper Circle seats at the Garrick Theatre.
Evidence
This was taken from my seat before showtime, showing where the stage is cut off from view.
This production photo by Manuel Harlan gives an idea of the scope of the stage and the symmetry I mentioned:
Overall, this is an excellent budget option, allowing a view of most of the action, and a very good view of the closing moment of act 1.
Legroom was fine and although I might have wished for side seats similar to those at the Bridge, it wasn’t an awkward viewing angle.
The show is excellent, by the way.