Cirque du Soleil returns to London with OVO, their colourful celebration of insect life, playing at the Royal Albert Hall from January to March 2026. The Royal Albert Hall's unique circular layout creates distinct viewing experiences depending on where you sit, so choosing the right seats matters more here than at most venues.

Here's everything you need to know about seating for OVO, from premium options to value picks, plus practical tips for getting the most from your visit.

Understanding the Royal Albert Hall Layout

The Royal Albert Hall isn't like a traditional theatre. Built in 1871, its elliptical design creates a vast coliseum-style auditorium with five levels of seating arranged around a central performance space. For OVO, the stage is positioned at the southern end of the hall, meaning some seats face the action directly while others view it from an angle.

The main seating areas, from lowest to highest:

Arena and Stalls sit at floor level, closest to the stage. The Arena is the flat section directly in front of the stage, while the Stalls wrap around the sides in sections labelled G through O.

Loggia Boxes are the first tier above the stalls, featuring private boxes that each seat up to 8 people.

Grand Tier Boxes sit above the Loggia, with boxes seating up to 12 people.

Second Tier Boxes are smaller private boxes above the Grand Tier, seating approximately 5 people each.

Rausing Circle (formerly Circle) is the main seating balcony above the boxes, offering sweeping views of both stage and auditorium.

Gallery is the highest level, featuring unreserved standing and some seating. This is the most affordable option but requires stamina and tolerance for heights.

Best Seats for Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil productions demand particular considerations that differ from concerts or classical performances. The acrobatics happen at multiple heights and across the full stage, so you want clear sightlines to both floor-level action and aerial work.

Premium Viewing: Central Stalls

For the best overall OVO experience, the central Stalls sections (J, K, L) offer optimal positioning. You're facing the stage directly with clear sightlines to performers at all heights. The middle rows (around rows 3-6) balance proximity with perspective. Sit too close and you'll crane your neck for aerial acts; sit too far back and you lose some of the intimate detail that makes Cirque performances special.

Stalls J and K provide the most central positions. These seats command higher prices but deliver the complete experience: you'll catch performers' expressions, appreciate the intricate costumes up close, and have comfortable viewing angles for everything from floor acrobatics to wire work.

Private Experience: Loggia and Grand Tier Boxes

The boxes offer something different: privacy, space, and a sense of occasion. Loggia Boxes 7-12 and 25-30, positioned centrally relative to the stage, provide excellent views while feeling exclusive. Grand Tier Boxes 8-14 and 30-36 offer similar positioning at a slightly higher vantage point.

If you're booking for a group or celebrating a special occasion, a box creates a memorable experience. You'll have room to spread out, won't be disturbed by neighbours, and can arrive and leave without navigating crowded aisles.

The trade-off is angle. Even centrally positioned boxes view the stage from a slight angle rather than head-on. For most Cirque performances this works fine, but purists might prefer central stalls for perfectly symmetrical sightlines.

Front rows in the boxes (seats 1-4 in Loggia, seats 1-4 in Grand Tier) offer the best views within each box.

Elevated Perspective: Rausing Circle

The Rausing Circle provides genuine value. You're higher up than the boxes, but the uninterrupted seating means no pillars or partitions blocking your view. Front rows in central sections (P, Q, W, X) offer clear sightlines to the full stage at a fraction of box prices.

From this height, you lose some detail but gain perspective on the full production. Cirque's staging often uses the entire performance space, and elevated seats let you appreciate patterns and formations that might be less obvious from floor level.

The Circle is excellent for repeat visitors who want to experience OVO from a different angle, or for those prioritising value without sacrificing view quality.

Budget Option: Gallery

The Gallery is the Royal Albert Hall's great equaliser. Standing tickets cost a fraction of premium seating, and while you're furthest from the stage, the acoustic quality remains excellent and the atmosphere at Gallery level has its own energy.

For OVO specifically, Gallery has limitations. Cirque performances rely heavily on visual spectacle, and significant distance from the stage means missing details of costume and expression. If you're primarily interested in the acrobatic feats, Gallery works. If you want the full immersive experience, consider saving for better seats.

Gallery is unreserved, so arrive early to secure a spot with good sightlines.

Seats to Approach with Caution

Extreme side sections in the Stalls (G and O) and equivalent box positions view the stage at steep angles. You'll see the performance, but symmetrical formations will appear skewed and some stage effects may be partially obscured.

Rear rows of the Arena place you close to the stage but on a flat surface. Without rake (the gradual rise that helps rear-row viewers see over those in front), taller audience members ahead can obstruct your view. If you're in rear Arena rows, the first seat in the row often provides clearer sightlines than middle positions.

Certain boxes have pillar issues. The Royal Albert Hall's architecture includes structural pillars that can partially obstruct views from some box positions. This varies by specific box, so if booking a box, check reviews for your exact location or contact the venue directly.

Second Tier side boxes are quite far from the stage and at angles that may compromise viewing for a visual spectacle like Cirque du Soleil. They work better for concerts where sound is the priority.

Booking Strategy

Cirque du Soleil OVO runs from 9 January to 1 March 2026, with multiple performances most days.

Weekday matinees typically offer better availability and sometimes lower prices than weekend evening shows. If your schedule is flexible, Tuesday or Wednesday performances often have the best selection of premium seats remaining closer to the date.

For weekend evenings and school holiday dates, book well in advance. These performances sell out earliest, and waiting too long means choosing between restricted availability in premium sections or settling for less ideal positions.

Children aged 3 and over require their own ticket. Under 3s are not permitted. Anyone aged 14 or under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

When you book through tickadoo, joining the free tickadoo+ membership means earning rewards on your purchase. Those savings work across theatre and travel bookings, adding up over time.

What to Expect from OVO

OVO (meaning "egg" in Portuguese) celebrates the hidden world of insects through Cirque du Soleil's signature blend of acrobatics, music, and visual design. The story follows a curious newcomer, a quirky fly, who falls for a ladybug while the insect colony becomes fascinated by a mysterious egg.

The production features the elements that have made Cirque famous: hand-balancing acts, aerial silk performers, contortionists, trampoline work, and much more. The insect theme informs the costume design, with elaborate outfits transforming performers into beetles, butterflies, spiders, and ants.

Music is performed live, with a Brazilian-influenced score that maintains high energy throughout the show's approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes running time. There's one interval of around 15 minutes.

The production is suitable for all ages, though very young children may find the 2+ hour commitment challenging. The visual spectacle tends to hold attention well, and the lack of dialogue means language is never a barrier.

Getting to the Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall sits in Kensington Gore, opposite Hyde Park and adjacent to the Royal Albert Memorial.

By Underground: South Kensington station (Circle, District, Piccadilly lines) is the nearest, approximately 10-15 minutes' walk through the museum district. High Street Kensington (Circle, District) and Gloucester Road (Circle, District, Piccadilly) are alternative options.

By Bus: Routes 9, 10, 52, 70, and 360 stop near Hyde Park Gate, a short walk from the venue.

By Car: Limited parking is available in the area, including at the Imperial College Campus nearby. Driving to Kensington is challenging during peak times, so public transport is generally easier.

Step-free access is available at the venue, with lifts serving all levels. Accessible seating is available in the Stalls and Rausing Circle. Contact the Royal Albert Hall's access line directly if you have specific requirements.

Allow plenty of time for arrival. The venue opens its doors approximately 60 minutes before performance time, and settling in without rushing improves the experience significantly.

Dining Near the Royal Albert Hall

The Kensington area offers plenty of pre-show options:

For quick bites, Exhibition Road has several cafés and casual restaurants between South Kensington station and the venue.

For a proper meal, Kensington High Street (about 10 minutes' walk) has numerous restaurants at various price points. Book ahead for evening performances, as the area gets busy.

The Royal Albert Hall itself has bars and food options, though these can be crowded during interval. If you want interval drinks, consider ordering before the show starts.

Making the Most of Your Visit

Arrive early. The Royal Albert Hall is worth exploring, and arriving 30-45 minutes before curtain lets you soak in the atmosphere, find your seats without stress, and perhaps grab a drink.

Dress comfortably. The Hall can vary in temperature depending on where you're sitting. Layers work well, as lower levels tend to be cooler than upper ones.

Bring binoculars if you're in elevated seating. While not essential, they help appreciate costume details and performer expressions from distance.

Check your specific seat online before booking. Several websites offer user-submitted photos from various Royal Albert Hall positions, giving you a realistic preview of your potential view.

Ready to Book?

Cirque du Soleil OVO offers a spectacular family-friendly evening at one of London's most iconic venues. Whether you choose premium stalls for immersive detail, a private box for special occasions, or Circle seats for excellent value, understanding the Royal Albert Hall's layout helps you make the right choice.

Browse available seats and dates for Cirque du Soleil OVO on tickadoo. With the free tickadoo+ membership, every booking earns rewards you can use on future theatre, attractions, and travel.

The insects are waiting. Come join the colony.