Favourite place to sit in a theatre

First five or six rows from the front, without a doubt (I draw the line at premium). Obviously, though, these seats are frequently expensive and I often do sit elsewhere, to the sides or further back - and therein lies my problem. Thinking of the shows I haven't particularly enjoyed, it's always been because I haven't been up close to enjoy the action. I get very easily distracted by anything going on around me, so stages in the round are a no no. For example, at From Here To Eternity recently, I spent half my time glancing at the audience directly opposite or on the slip seats up the side.

Always as near as possible, preferably front row. I feel exactly the same as longinthetooth. So easily distracted. Anytime I go to the Royal Exchange in Manchester (not that I’ve been since Covid) I end up staring at the people on the opposite side of the stage. I just can’t get into a story the same if I’m further away.

And it also tends to be the case that the higher up the theatre you go, the more cramped the seats get. And as someone who is a little bit taller (and fatter) than average that’s an issue too.

Typically I try my best for stalls or royal circle. My one rule (which I've broke once or twice) is no more than £50 for a ticket. - average probably £15-30 spend.

Where I sit is usually purely based on price of tickets and seat plan photos. For some shows if I know the lighting is particularly impressive I'll want to be higher up to get the full scope of things. Love being up close though and going solo most of the time, I also try to be closer to an aisle just for that little bit of extra room.

Usually buy my tickets when there's a sale. ATG venues I look out for solo seats as they're usually reduced. TodayTix rush is a god-send. My local touring venue does £10 rush too for any seat not sold in the stalls. Love it!

Being someone who has the unfortunate combination of having long legs and being a bit on the chubby side, I almost always go for an end-of-row seat, usually in the stalls. The Theatremonkey website is an absolute godsend for me. I thoroughly recommend consulting it if you are similarly challenged. Actually it's worth checking even if you're normal-sized. Full of great advice on which are the value-for-money seats in each theatre.

Front stalls would always be my preference. That said, I typically buy everything last minute or through rush so usually get great seats at great prices, Especially in New York, you don’t really get a choice where your rush seats are, but they’re usually alright, occasionally quite far to the side.

When I was young and first moved to London it was always upper circle as it was all I could afford.
Now I'm a lot older and have more disposable income I usually always go for stalls and has to be an aisle seat. I don't do premium so it is usually end of row mid to back stalls.

Front row.

Even if the stage is high, I prefer looking up rather than looking around people's heads.

Also, I just want to see facial expressions. For this reason I never buy back of stalls, back of dress or any upper level tickets for plays. For musicals I am prepared to go a little further back of stalls/dress but still not upper.

Musicals: first row of dress/royal circle. Limited legroom doesn't really affect me (although Fortune Theatre is atrocious) and I don't want to pay the premium for row B and back. I don't like gambling with sitting in the stalls and having a head in the way. Having said that, I'd rather see more shows and am content with cheap seats as long as 1) there isn't a severe viewing restriction (i.e. extreme side view where leaning doesn't help) and 2) the seats aren't too high and leave my legs dangling. I've sat at back of balcony on a few occasions and found it distant, but fine. Poor audience behaviour hampers my experience more than being further back / higher up.

Plays: as above or front of stalls, regardless of stage height.

You know the small handful of seats in the Lyttleton circle slips, where each seat is completely on its own and not near any other seat?

Those.

From row of the royal/dress circle (whichever is the first one up in any given theatre). As central as I can get it. I really detest seeing heads in my way, and if I sit even a row back you can guarantee the person in front will be a 'leaner' (why do people do that? Why? You're front of circle, you already have a great view!).

I quite like front row of stalls too, if the stage isn't too high or I've seen the show before. High stage is better than heads in front!

Next to the handsome guy who seems unattached and ready to strike up an intelligent conversation about Sondheim during interval and then suggest we grab a drink after the performance.

When I go to London, I try and book the one of the end few seats in the front row of the upper circle. I may get a slight restriction on the view, but its not a real problem. If I can get the innermost one, next to the more expensive seats, even better!

I benefitted from this at Hamilton.