Aldwych Theatre

The Aldwych Theatre dates back to 1905, when it was originally designed as a twin theatre to the Novello Theatre, bookending the famous Aldwych. Today the theatre is home to successful musicals and plays, entertaining the large house. The hit musical Dirty Dancing first opened at the theatre, and has recently closed.

The theatre is built in similar style to the Novello, in a traditional Georgian design. Based on three levels, the lower stalls are build underground, with the Dress Circle at street level. The theatre is tall and narrow, and offers particularly good views from all levels.

Bargain Hunter!

Seats 5 & 6 and 28 & 29 in the Dress Circle are often discounted as they follow the curve of the balcony. They are the least affected seats in the price reduction, so if you don’t mind having a slightly rounded view of the stage these seats may be a bargain!

Break The Bank!

Best views of the stage come from the front Stalls section, around Row B and C. Aim to sit as central as possible, although if not aisle seats fall within the proscenium and can be just as good.

The Stalls are divided into three sections by two half aisles on both the House Right and House Left side. Of these sections the front provides the best sightlines, although The Seat Inspector would advise to not sit in the first three or four rows. The balcony overhang begins at row HH and begins to affect the view immediately back from row HH. Depending on the production this may not result in any of the action being missed. The overhang is particularly deep, and the rear section of the stalls can feel somewhat claustrophobic.

The front section of the stalls is not raked, so some interference from audience in front can occur, especially for children. The section is raked from row HH, improving the sightlines somewhat but making more of a problem from the overhang above.

Seats within the front section fall within the proscenium of the stage. From row J backwards the first and last 4 seats at either end fall just outside of the stage, meaning that the view is sometimes obscured. Leg room is on the whole good, but book an inner aisle seat for maximum comfort. Although the front 3 rows are set a little way back from the stage, the angle is quite steep which may affect overall enjoyment.

The Dress Circle does not feel particularly high as it is on the street level. There is no rail running around the balcony, so there are no restrictions other than bars towards the entrance and stairs. The section has one block of seats with no central aisle.

The section is curved from row A-E, meaning that in the first few rows the sightlines can be side on rather than direct. From row E backwards all seats are straighter in rows, so the curve does not affect those at the end of each row. The Seat Inspector would advise sitting on row E and back to take advantage of this.

Row A Slips curve around the balcony which is not always clear on seating charts. These seats provide a side on view of the stage and should only be selected if reduced. The overhang from the Upper Circle begins at row C, and begins to take immediate effect. The view is therefore disturbed, and the top of the stage is lost.

The Upper Circle is divided by one horizontal aisle running the length of the section after row C. The pitch of the section is good, meaning that most of the stage can be seen at all times. Towards the back of the section it gets harder to see action at the front of the stage due to people leaning forward.
There is a relatively small safety rail running the length of the balcony, but it is pretty unobtrusive. To avoid it, sit a few rows from the front. Row D and back are straighter and not rounded, providing a more square on view of the stage