Cambridge Theatre

The Cambridge is one of the youngest theatres in the West End situated in the heart of Seven Dials. Although it has been characterised by having relatively short runs, the revival of Chicago broke this mould running at the theatre for over five years. The theatre is noted for its clear lines of design, which is reflected in the seating quality in the auditorium.

The auditorium is split over three levels which are built without pillars and minimal obstructive rails, providing excellent sightlines on all tiers. The stage is framed by an art deco ceiling which overshadows the proscenium somewhat for audience members in the Upper Circle. Plush velvet seating and carpet make the venue feel grand and luxurious, and the architecture is representative of its time. Overall the Cambridge is one of the best theatres in London for quality of seating at all levels.

Bargain Hunter!

The Upper Circle provides excellent views of the stage, and the front section does not feel as distant from the stage as in other theatres. Aim to sit in the second or third row, as close to the centre as possible for the clearest views.

Break The Bank!

Sitting in row B or C of the Dress Circle provides excellent views of both the show and the beautiful theatre itself.

The Stalls are moderately deep and are divided by a centre aisle that runs the full length of the auditorium. The section gets progressively wider, with 34 seats per row at the back section. The Circle overhang occurs far back in the section and does not restrict the view for the audience, even towards the rear. The section is well raked, allowing good sightlines from all levels.

The stalls are slightly curved at the end, meaning the ends of the rows have slightly restricted views although this is not reflected in the price structure. Sitting on the end of end of each row is not necessarily a bad deal, as due to the current staging and set design, the seats end up coming within the proscenium. They are not necessarily to be avoided but pick more central seats first. Leg room in this section is better than average, and the seats are comfortable. Booster seats are available for the current production and are available free of charge. Please ask an usher on arrival who will be happy to help.

The Dress Circle is divided into three equal sections, making a central section and a house right and house left. The section is raked so visibility is good throughout the whole section, and it doesn’t feel too high. Unlike other theatres the Dress Circle at the Cambridge is built in a block and does not curve, meaning even seats on the ends of rows are not restricted and give an excellent overall view of the action.

There is a small metal safety rail running along the front of row A, but this is discrete and does not cause too many problems. Those with children however may prefer to sit a few rows back from the front so it remains entirely out of view. As most of this section is priced the same, it is worth asking for more central seats first.

The Upper Circle is significantly larger than the Dress Circle as it is divided into an upper and a lower section by a dividing wall. The front section provides the best views of the stage, only by being closer to the action, and is divided into three sections like the Dress Circle. The back section of the Upper Circle features some more restricted seats, due to the unusual shape around the gangways and stairwells. It would be advised to avoid these seats initially, although they are the cheapest in the auditorium so would suit those on a budget. Safety rails run along the front of the section, as well as around the stairwells which may cause problems to shorter audience members.
Due to the grandeur of the building the Upper Circle can feel quite disconnected to the stage, as the Proscenium is framed by lighting rigs as well as the curved roof. Sightlines are rarely obstructed, but for those wishing to feel a little more connected to the performance may wish to sit in the front section or in the lower levels. Leg room is good on this level, and the overall comfort of the theatre rates highly throughout the West End.