This guide reveals the best seats at London's major West End theatres, with honest advice about where to sit, what to avoid, and how to get the best value for your money. We've drawn on users with years of collective theatregoing experience.

If you love theatre, you deserve a great view. Here's how to get one.

Understanding West End Theatre Seating

Before diving into specific venues, let's understand the terminology:

Stalls: Ground level seating, closest to the stage. Generally most expensive. Front rows require looking up; back rows may have restricted views under overhangs.

Dress Circle / Royal Circle: First balcony level. Often considered the best overall views, especially front and centre. Elevated perspective lets you see the full stage.

Grand Circle / Upper Circle: Second balcony level. More distant but often excellent value. Front rows here can rival lower sections.

Balcony / Gallery: Highest level (not in all theatres). Cheapest seats, furthest from the action. Can feel very distant.

Boxes: Side compartments at various levels. Often restricted views but private and atmospheric.

Premium / Band A seats: Marketing terms for the most expensive tickets. Not always the best seats, just the most profitable ones.

Theatre-by-Theatre Guide

Lyceum Theatre (The Lion King)

Capacity: 2,100 seats

Best seats: Dress Circle rows A-D, seats 10-30. Perfect elevation to see the full staging and puppetry.

Best value: Upper Circle front rows, especially centre. Distant but the spectacle works at any range.

Avoid: Stalls back rows under the overhang miss the flying effects. Far side seats miss action on the opposite side.

Insider tip: The Circle of Life procession comes through the stalls, so anywhere in stalls gives you an immersive opening.

Book Lion King tickets

Apollo Victoria Theatre (Wicked)

Capacity: 2,304 seats

Best seats: Stalls rows F-M centre. You're at perfect height for Elphaba's flying and can see the dragon up close. Dress Circle rows A-C centre also excellent.

Best value: Circle rear centre. The green glow and spectacle translate well from distance.

Avoid: Very front stalls (extreme neck strain). Side boxes have heavily restricted views.

Insider tip: "Defying Gravity" is designed to be seen from slightly elevated positions. Dress Circle front offers the intended perspective.

Book Wicked tickets

Sondheim Theatre (Les Misérables)

Capacity: 1,074 seats (intimate for a mega-musical)

Best seats: Stalls rows D-J centre. The emotional close-ups matter in Les Mis. Dress Circle front row centre is also superb.

Best value: Grand Circle front rows. The intimacy of this theatre means even distant seats feel connected.

Avoid: Extreme side seats miss the revolving stage mechanics. Back stalls under the overhang feel disconnected.

Insider tip: Les Mis is about the singing and emotion more than spectacle. Prioritise centre over close.

Book Les Misérables tickets

His Majesty's Theatre (The Phantom of the Opera)

Capacity: 1,216 seats

Best seats: Royal Circle rows A-C centre for the chandelier crash. Stalls centre rows E-M for facial expressions and the boat scene.

Best value: Grand Circle front rows. His Majesty's Theatre is ornate and beautiful from every angle.

Avoid: Seats directly under the chandelier path (though this is thrilling rather than truly problematic). Extreme sides miss the lake staging.

Insider tip: The chandelier crash is designed to look spectacular from the stalls. Royal Circle gives the best overall view but stalls is more visceral.

Book Phantom of the Opera tickets

Victoria Palace Theatre (Hamilton)

Capacity: 1,550 seats

Best seats: Dress Circle rows A-C centre. The revolving turntables and intricate choreography need elevation to fully appreciate.

Best value: Upper Circle front centre. The hip-hop energy translates at any distance.

Avoid: Far side stalls miss choreography details. Very back of upper sections feels disconnected from the intimate storytelling.

Insider tip: Hamilton is choreographed for slightly elevated views. Stalls front is actually less ideal than mid-stalls or Circle.

Book Hamilton tickets

Novello Theatre (Mamma Mia!)

Capacity: 1,105 seats

Best seats: Stalls rows E-L centre for the party atmosphere. This show is about fun, not sightlines.

Best value: Anywhere! Mamma Mia! works from any seat because you'll be dancing by the finale regardless.

Avoid: Very front rows mean looking up during the extended finale when you want to be on your feet.

Insider tip: Aisle seats let you join the dancing more easily during the mega-mix.

Book Mamma Mia! tickets

Cambridge Theatre (Matilda the Musical)

Capacity: 1,231 seats

Best seats: Dress Circle rows A-D centre. The schoolroom staging and flying sequences work beautifully from elevation.

Best value: Upper Circle front rows. Tim Minchin's witty lyrics carry to every seat.

Avoid: Extreme stalls sides miss some of the blackboard projections. Very back rows feel distant from Matilda's intimate story.

Insider tip: The "Revolting Children" finale needs perspective to see the full choreography. Don't sit too close.

Book Matilda the Musical tickets

Phoenix Theatre (Stranger Things: The First Shadow)

Capacity: 1,012 seats

Best seats: Stalls rows F-K centre for the immersive effects. You need proximity to feel the Upside Down.

Best value: Dress Circle front. The spectacular staging works from elevation too.

Avoid: Very front rows (effects designed for slightly distant viewing). Extreme sides miss some illusion mechanics.

Insider tip: Some effects literally happen around you in the stalls. This is worth paying premium for.

Book Stranger Things tickets

Vaudeville Theatre (SIX)

Capacity: 690 seats (intimate)

Best seats: Stalls rows C-G centre. It's a concert; you want to be in the energy.

Best value: Any seat! The theatre is small enough that nothing feels distant.

Avoid: Box seats can have restricted views. Very back rows miss some of the intimacy.

Insider tip: SIX encourages filming during certain moments. Front-centre gives the best camera angles if that matters to you.

Book SIX tickets

ABBA Arena (ABBA Voyage)

Capacity: 3,000 (purpose-built arena)

Best seats: Standing in the Dance Floor section for the full concert experience. Seated Sections 1-3 for the best avatar views.

Best value: Any standing ticket. The arena was designed for equal viewing from all positions.

Avoid: Very rear seated sections can feel distant, though screens help.

Insider tip: The experience is designed to be enjoyed standing and dancing. Embrace it.

Book ABBA Voyage tickets

O2 Arena (Mamma Mia! The Party)

Capacity: Varies (immersive dining)

Best seats: All seating is at tables around the action. Every table has a good view by design.

Best value: All tickets include the same experience (dinner + show + party).

Insider tip: You'll move around during the experience. Don't worry about your initial table position.

Book Mamma Mia! The Party tickets

General Seating Wisdom

The "Best Seat" Myth

Theatres charge premium prices for front-centre stalls, but these aren't always the best seats. For many shows, slightly elevated positions in the Dress Circle offer superior views of the full stage.

Restricted View: Friend or Foe?

Restricted view seats are marked because something partially obstructs the view, usually a safety rail or pillar. But many restricted view seats offer excellent value with minimal actual restriction. Resources like SeatPlan show real photos from these seats, so you can judge for yourself.

The Sweet Spots

For most traditional proscenium arch theatres, the sweet spot is:

• Front half of the Dress Circle, centre section

• Mid-stalls (rows F-M), centre seats

• These positions offer the intended viewing angle for lighting, staging, and actor positioning.

Value Hunting

The best value seats are typically:

• Front rows of the upper sections

• Slight off-centre positions in premium sections

• Restricted view seats where the restriction is minimal

Avoid These Situations

• Seats with pillars marked (common in older theatres)

• Back rows under overhangs (miss ceiling effects)

• Extreme side boxes (designed for atmosphere, not viewing)

• Very front rows for sung-through shows (neck strain)

Seating by Body Type

If You're Tall

• Aisle seats offer more legroom

• Back of sections let you stretch

• Avoid front rows where you'll block others

If You're Short

• Elevated positions (Circle) may be better than stalls

• Ask about booster cushions for children

• Avoid seats behind tall people (luck of the draw)

If You Have Mobility Issues

• Most theatres have accessible seating; book directly or call

• Lower stalls typically have step-free access

• Transfer seats are available at most venues

How to Research Seats

SeatPlan.com

Real photos from actual seats, uploaded by audience members. Invaluable for seeing exactly what your view will be.

TheatreMonkey.com

Detailed venue-by-venue guides with colour-coded seating charts showing best value, restricted views, and recommendations.

Theatre Websites

Many theatres now show view-from-seat previews when booking. Use them.

Ask Box Office

Call the theatre directly. Staff know which seats have issues and which are hidden gems.

Book Your Perfect Seat

Ready to see a show from the best possible position? Book London theatre, direct through tickadoo:

Currently Running Shows:

• Les Misérables - Sondheim Theatre

• The Lion King - Lyceum Theatre

• Wicked - Apollo Victoria Theatre

• Hamilton - Victoria Palace Theatre

• The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

• Mamma Mia! - Novello Theatre

• SIX - Vaudeville Theatre

• Matilda the Musical - Cambridge Theatre

• ABBA Voyage - ABBA Arena

• Stranger Things - Phoenix Theatre

The right seat transforms a good night into an unforgettable one. Choose wisely.

What Do You Wanna Doo?

tickadoo - Your AI-powered travel concierge. London theatre booking made simple. Official tickets. Instant confirmation. What Do You Wanna Doo?