Upper Circle at the Fortune Theatre

Rows A to G, the top level, with 124 seats. Because the level is set back behind the Dress Circle as well as raised above it, the stage feels further off than you'd expect in a theatre this small.

Who it suits

Anyone who doesn't mind the climb. Some seats up here are a bit cheaper, at around £60, but most of the level costs the same as the Stalls and the Dress Circle.

Where we'd put you

Rows B to F, on an aisle. You're high enough to see over the ironwork at the front, and the aisle gives you somewhere to put one leg. If you're paying the same as a Dress Circle or Stalls seat, though, we'd book one of those first.

What to avoid

• Rows A and B, where ornate ironwork runs across the front of the Upper Circle and into the view.
• Row A in particular: legroom is poor, the floor slopes so you sit leaning slightly to one side, and there's no aisle to the exit, so the row has to stand up to let you in or out. A2 and A17 are the exceptions for legroom.
• Seats 1 to 3 in the smaller block, and the last two seats in the larger block, which are at a sharp angle.
• Row G, if you'll need to get out. The seats are fixed and don't flip up, so passing along the row is awkward.

Rows F and G feel a long way from the stage.

Legroom in the Upper Circle

Tight, in every row. If you're over about 5ft 5, take an aisle seat. If legroom is the priority, the Stalls are the roomiest level.

Getting up there

No lift reaches this level. It's 40 or more steps up from the foyer, with handrails the whole way.

Standing and the Boxes up here

There are 12 standing places behind the back row. There are also Boxes at this level, one on each side, but they aren't on sale for Operation Mincemeat.

Drinks and toilets

The upstairs bar, above the Dress Circle, is closer than the one in the Stalls. The toilets are small, so go early in the interval, or order drinks to your seat and skip the bar queue.