Where to sit at the Gielgud Theatre, London

Currently home to the fabulous Company, the Gielgud Theatre is a gorgeous little theatre on the incredible Shaftesbury Avenue. I had a wander around the theatre to help you pick the best seats for your next visit.

STALLS

Front Row – The stage isn’t ridiculously high and the front row isn’t ridiculously close which makes it a decent option for this production! 

Side Stalls – 2 photos here, both taken from the last seat on the row on either side of the auditorium. Even these seats on the very edge of the auditorium have a great, almost unrestricted view. In the second image the wording is at the back of the stage so that tells you how much of the stage you’ll miss – not too much at all. 

Centre Stalls (Row K) – This is a fantastic view. You feel really close to the action from here, can make out all the small details easily but can also take in the whole stage at once. However, the stalls at the Gielgud may as well be flat. If someone tall places themselves in front of you you may have a slight problem. 

Rear Stalls -This is the from the very back row and it’s still a brilliant view. The Gielgud is a small theatre so even the very back row doesn’t feel a million miles away. Same problems with the non existent rake apply here and if like me you hate having overhang in your eyeline this might bug you. All the action is at stage level though so nothing would be missed.

DRESS CIRCLE

Front (Row B) – A fantastic unrestricted view. No safety rail in front of the dress circle so no leaning necessary (unless right on an end). The circle feels incredibly close the the stage so in my opinion this is probably the best spot in the theatre. I’ve sat here and loved it!

Side – This circle isn’t particularly curved so even the side seats have a great view. The very end seats will see the front corner of the stage cut off  but otherwise these are a great bet.

Rear – Still very close to the stage, great rake, unrestricted, only a slight overhang – a great view.

Slips – Obviously a side view of the stage but far enough from the stage for this not to be a huge issue. The are 4 separate seats here which can be adjusted as you wish. Leaning forward would obviously improve your view.

Side Boxes – I sat here for a previous production at the Gielgud and whilst slightly restricted, the boxes here are actually very good. You’re almost sat on the stage you’re so close and if you lean forwards you can almost see the whole stage. You probably miss around 1/5 of the stage closest to you. Probably the best box I’ve sat in in terms of view.

Rear Boxes – Not sure why these appear as multiple boxes on the booking page because these are all together in one big box. Each row is referred to as a different box. The view from here is very much a letter box view but is a decent one none the less. 

GRAND CIRCLE

Front – Quite a tall railing lines the front of the grand circle meaning that you’ll have to lean forward to get a clear view if you’re on the front row. That of course means that the people in rows B and C will probably need to lean too. Having said that, the view really isn’t bad from here. Still feels reasonably close and not too high. The leg room seemed a bit cramped though!

Centre – The grand circle is split into a front and back section. This photo is taken from the front row of the back section. As you can see, it’s a very good view although it is starting to feel a little distant up here.

Side – I appear to have neglected to get a good side view photo from up here! The grand circle is more curve than the dress meaning the seats on each edge will be more restricted. The corner of the stage closest to you will be cut off. Would definitely avoid the end seats in the first few rows as these seemed particularly restricted due to the curve and very high safety railings.

Rear – You’re pretty high up back here and that ceiling causes a severe case of letterbox view. Feels distant but you wont miss anything. This is the very back row.

Slips – First photo leaning back, second leaning forward. Not a bad view when leaning but I’ve been there and its gets very uncomfortable! This is from the middle of the slips so obviously the closer you get towards the stage the more restricted your view will become and vice versa. Would only recommend if you’re on a tight budget. If not, sit elsewhere.

That’s all folks!

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Thanks for reading!

Much Love,

Charlotte