ADVICE

[hope]

So, just say one was intending on going to see La Cage aux Folles, even quite possibly looking into booking tickets... What is the difference between stalls, dress and upper, and which would you recommend?

And any tips on who to book through to get the best deal?

And any other West End tips you feel like sharing, really.

Comments

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Only tip I have: Brits for some reason do not like the front row. You can often get cheaper tickets in the front row than the rest of the stalls. It's odd, but nice!

[fairyd123.livejournal.com]

That would be because many of the stages are very very high - front row will usually be reserved for day seats which get sold of cheaper - that's certainly the case for Wicked and is why the fanatics sleep over night to get them for say cast change day.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Ah, good to know, thanks!

Also, I love your icon!

[hope]

So I've heard. I tend to avoid front rows because I'm shy *g*

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

I do not believe that. You are having me on!

[hope]

No, really!

[jamjar.livejournal.com]

Stalls are those boxes at the side-- nice for being in a group/relative privacy, but the view isn't usually so good. Dress is usually the better viewing place, of the tickets. Me, I often end up in the gods, where the seats are cheap and the seating is... well, steep, usually. Most theatres will have seating maps, so you can see the layout.

The front row generally don't have as good a view (like sitting in the front row of the cinema). You're so close to the stage, you're at a very sharp angle upwards you know? Plus, more chance of getting dragged in for audience participation.

That said, it depends a lot on the the theatre. Some, the stage is much lower, so front row doesn't matter. Or the sides have much more limited view, or the seats are much closer together (a problem for people with longer legs), so you should probably try to find someone who knows the theatre. At a pinch, first row in the dress circle is generally more costly, but safe, good tickets. Still, there is something to be said for going in a group to a stall-- better for the asides and fannish glee.

[fairyd123.livejournal.com]

Boxes are boxes to the side. Stalls are the open seating in front of the stage.

Not sure if there are boxes available for La Cage - I believe the orchestra are in them.

Front row dress circle at La Cage is somewhat obscured by a high guard rail and best avoided.

[hope]

Cheers! Good things to keep in mind.

[askmehow.livejournal.com]

This website (http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/) is my bible: it lists plays by date (opening/closing soon), genre (drama/comedy/musicals), and has info on price bands for each section of the theatre (stalls/dress circle/upper circle/boxes). It also usually has seating plans, such as this one for the the Playhouse theatre (http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/westendvenues/playhouse.htm), where La Cage Aux Folles is playing.

Typically, a theatre will be divided into tiers based on proximity to the stage. The stalls are the tier on par with the stage, the dress circle (or royal circle in some theatres) the tier above that, and the upper circle is the top-most tier. Prices will vary accordingly, though in most theatres the difference in price between stall tickets and dress circle tickets will be negligible. Boxes can be fun if you're going in a large group, though to make the price worth it, you'd have to go in a group of over four people. The main drawback of the boxes is that they're situated on either side of the stage, so you get a skewed view of the stage.

My own personal choice would be to sit in the stalls; most often, the dress circle and stalls prices will be the same, and I like to be as close to the stage as possible, and as centred as possible within the row. My recommendation would be rows B to D in the stalls, with seat numbers between 7 and 12: so, looking at the seating plan for the Playhouse again (http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/westendvenues/playhouse.htm), seats 11-14 in rows E and N are also good choices.

As taffimai said, some theatres discount the first row of seats, because some people prefer not to be quite so close to the stage. I personally love those seats, but your mileage may vary.

[hope]

Thanks for the links, and the info! I'll be booking my tix tomorrow, I think.

[fairyd123.livejournal.com]

If you wanted to see it at the moment you could see it for pence - I've been twice with the seat filling service I joined for less than the price of a sandwich but if you want to see it when JB is on then to be honest you're unlikely to get any deals at all. I think they're pretty much relying on JB's run to balance the ticket sales at present. So I would book directly with the theatre - the good thing about them is that the Ambassadors group to which the theatre belongs is pretty much the only one in the West End that allows you to swap your ticket for another night if calamity occurs. It costs £2 a ticket and is a handy service. Plus only the theatre has the good seats - everyone else can only sell from a certain row.

If you're going to see it you've got the choice of cabaret tables, stalls, dress circle and upper circle. Personally I would discount the upper circle - too high up, too far away from the stage. Cabaret tables are right at the front and the Cagelles dance at them at one point - tables B & C are central and considered to be the best followed by A & D.

Stalls as long as you stay central you're fine (sides you run the risk of being obscured by the cabaret tables). Ive seen it from the very back row of the stalls next to the sound desk and the view was fine but if you're not bothered about being right at the front row d/e centre would probably be optimal.

Dress circle I would avoid the first 2 rows because of the safety bar but anything 3rd row back centre is fine - again I've seen it from the back row of the dress circle and view is fine but more problematic as there are a couple of points where Albin sits down and you'll struggle to see - likewise when Georges plays with the people on the cabaret tables. Also if you're too far back you have the problem that you won't be able to see too well if people lean forward - also its bloody hot!

If you can afford it I would go with centre stalls. All my tickets are cabaret or front row centre but not everyone wants to be that close.

Theatremonkey is a fab resource btw - it has the seating plan on there so you can assess - it's a small theatre.

Edited to give you the theatremonkey link:

http://www.theatremonkey.com/PLAYHOUSEstalls.htm

[hope]

Cheers, thanks for all the super-helpful info!! Will consult with my fellow theatre-goer tomorrow, but go for mid-stalls, I think :)

How many times are you planning on seeing JB's run, then?

[fairyd123.livejournal.com]

Let's just go with quite a few and leave it at that :)

In fairness I absolutely adore the show. I saw it with Quast and Hodge at the Menier, with Graham Norton and Steven Pacey at the Playhouse and I've seen the current cast twice - the first time I saw it Allam was awful as Albin but when I saw it last week he was magnificient - its slightly unfortunate that John is following him - JB is a stronger singer by a mile but Allam is a killer actor. The Cagelles are also amazing.

But yeah I've sat various places in the theatre and mid centre stalls would give you excellent views.

[cruentum.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the post, btw. I'm totally using this for my own personal planning. :P

[hope]

No wuckers!