Event ticket seller SeatPlan has curated a list of some of the worst views from seats across London’s West End, which sees theatre goers paying for seats – sometimes without adequate warning – with views that are obstructed.
The list includes various positions at 10 theatres in the West End that have pillars right in front, a protruding box blocking half the stage, or railings obscuring the whole view.
Some of the theatres mentioned by SeatPlan include the Harold Pinter Theatre, Wyndham’s Theatre, Novello Theatre, Lyric Theatre and the Phoenix Theatre.
While these theatres included a warning about the view available, SeatPlan said that the Novello Theatre offered no warning about an obstructed view from A11 for a performance of Mamma Mia! Though there was no warning for this particular seat, TheTicketingBusiness found that there was warning for the end seats of this row outlining a restricted view due to the safety rail.
Other theatres mentioned in SeatPlan’s findings included the Garrick Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Noel Coward Theatre, London County Hall and Sondheim Theatre. These theatres all relayed prior warnings about restricted views.
For each theatre, SeatPlan also included the seats to avoid when booking to watch West End shows. Theatre goers should avoid Stalls P16 at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Stalls BB1 at Wyndham’s Theatre, Balcony A11 at Novello Theatre (pictured below), Balcony E3 at the Lyric Theatre and Stalls AA1 at the Phoenix Theatre.
Those booking at the Garrick Theatre should be weary of Stalls S18 as the view is restricted by a pillar, while the view from Theatre Royal Haymarket’s Upper Circle B30 is extremely restricted. The Noel Coward Theatre’s Grand Circle AA26 (pictured main) is a view from the side and is obstructed by a safety rail.
When purchasing a ticket of London County Hall, North Gallery D42 has a restricted view due to a pillar in the sight line, and the view from Sondheim Theatre’s Grand Circle AA4 position (pictured below) is obscured by a number of factors including being at the side, a safety rail and lighting equipment.
SeatPlan has offered some tips on how to avoid booking a seat that has a poor view, such as double-checking the price point and question if it is worth the view and looking out for warnings on restricted views like ‘high stage’ or ‘!’ pop-ups when booking. Ticket buyers can also look up a seat on SeatPlan to check the view, as reviewers have left information and photos for West End theatres.
Images: SeatPlan
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