Garrick Theatre

Financed by W.S Gilbert this theatre was the first in the West End to be named after an actor. Decorated in Italian Renaissance style there is no formal proscenium, instead the stage is marked by pillars. The theatre opened in 1889 after a long construction period where an underground river was found.

This theatre can be particularly tricky due to the many pillars in the stalls section. Better seats are in the Dress Circle to avoid the pillars altogether. The distinctive rumblings of the tube are more noticeable during a smaller play, providing a soft background hum to the performance.

Bargain Hunter!

Best seats are found in the Dress Circle or the Upper Circle. For an less popular show, try buying a cheap Upper Circle ticket midweek, and cross your fingers that you get moved down to the Dress. It has happened to Seat Plan twice!

Break The Bank!

Unless you are sitting centrally between rows D and J there is no point in sitting in the Stalls. If no other seats are available, choose the front of the Dress Circle for the best view and value for money.

The Stalls are divided strangely into three blocks, with two half aisles creating a lower back and right section. The rows fan out, starting with short rows, leading back to the wider auditorium. The section feels deep, and the rear stalls are distant from the action and heavily restricted. The best seats are in the front section, from row AA-L, as central as possible. There is a slight rake throughout meaning that views can be seen over the heads in front, but this is reduced towards the rear. The overhang from the Dress Circle occurs at row M and begins to immediately affect the view of those sat further back. The section feels very dark and overall restricted.

Pillars are the main problem in this section creating many restricted view seats. Pillars occur in the middle of Row S and Row N, creating many problems for those sat in the rear house right section. The pillars remain in constant view, although how much they restrict depends on the section. For a pillar free view, aim to sit as centrally as possible. From row M-X the central section is very narrow, and the action become framed by pillars towards the front. Choose side seats in rows AA-L before anything else further back. Legroom is very tight in this section with little room to shuffle past.

The Dress Circle is at ground level and accessible from the main foyer. All seats follow the rather deep curve of the balcony, meaning seats on the end of each row become restricted. The section is wider than it is deep and feels very close to the stage and the action. Avoid the last three seats of each row as these provide a side on view to the stage.

The overhang from the Upper Circle begins at row B, cutting off the top of the stage for the back three rows. This is often not too much of a restriction, and better than the view in the Stalls. Two pillars in the back row reduce the legroom of some seats, but do not affect the overall view. There is no safety rail running across the balcony, so no immediate obstructions from this section.

The Upper Circle is divided into two blocks by a wide central aisle. The seats are well raked and provide good view altogether of the space. The section does not feel particularly high and you do feel close to the stage.

The biggest restriction is again the curve of the balcony, as seats at the end of each row should be avoided as they do not provide a straight on view of the stage. Boxes are again restricted as they look across the stage rather than directly at it.