What's the best seats in a theatre?

Question

i.e stalls, upper circle, dress circle, grand circle, balcony, Row????? I'm confused. Never been before and could do with some advice before I book to go in August. Hope you can help!

Answer 1

It depends upon the theatre. But usually, a few rows back from the front of the stalls opposite the centre of the stage. The front of the dress circle is good too.

The problems that centre stalls and front dress circle seats avoid are:-
1. Not too far away from the stage so that the actors look a reasonable size.
2. You are not craning your neck too much upwards or downwards to see the stage.
3. You can see things happening all over the stage. Also, the set etc.is usually designed to look best from a view reasonably directly ahead
4. You are unlikely to have acoustic problesms, e.g. the actors voice not reaching the back of the theatre (not usually a problem in this age of microphones), poor echos off the walls of the theatre or, again in today's world, poor position in realtion to hidden microphones.

This answer assumes you want to see the play or other production. In past times people went to the theatre as a social event to be been, in which case a box at the side of the stage was pretty good (but lousy for seeing the play).

If you choose a seat in a circle, how steeply the circle is raked is an issue: personally I feel insecure if I am sitting on too much of a slope. Conversely, if you do not mind heights you may prefer, within reason, to look downwards from a circle rather than upwards from the stalls.

The price of the seats is generally a pretty good guide.

Obviously, you do not want a seat with an obstructed view such as one behind a pillar. But the box office normally sells any of these off at a specially low price.

Answer 2

Mayflower Theatre Seating Plan

Answer 3

Dress Circle are usually the best seats but they are also more expensive. Personally I feel that the closer you are to the stage, the better, but that's just my opinion. Check out the seating chart for the theatre before you buy.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What's the best seats in a theatre?

Answer 5

If you want to kiss and cuddle, its the seats at the back corner. If you are with friends, its the middle in the centre, as you get the full experience of the theatre and the people there with you. Plus you get more of the aromas of buttered popcorn, maltesers and frozen cokes when sitting in the middle of everybody. Although if you have a weak bladder, your best seat would be near the exit, so you dont bug everyone.

Answer 6

Mayflower Seating Plan

Answer 7

The best seats are usually about 10 rows back as close to center as you can get. They are usually slightly less expensive than the first few status rows.

Answer 8

About 4 or 5 rows back, I find this usually gives me an eye level view and I am close enough to feel part of the action.

Answer 9

Dead centre IF - it is stadium seating (seating that is on a high angle so you can see over the person infront - otherwise go up the back - in the middle.

Answer 10

First row centre of the Dress Circle