Circle at the Gillian Lynne Theatre

Rows A to G, with row A at the rail. One large centre block and two side blocks, split by aisles. Nothing sits above this level, so the view up here is never taken off you by anything except the shape of the theatre itself. The operator's own pages sometimes call it the Dress Circle; on the booking map it's the Circle, and it's the same level. The seat backs up here are high.

What each price buys up here

Central rows A to E. From there the whole stage is in front of you at once, which is the point of sitting up, and you are about as close to the action as somebody in Stalls row P.

If you want central and you mind the safety rail, book row E first, then C, then D. The rail intrudes on row A and eases from C, and by E you barely notice it.

For less money, the ends of rows C to E go at fourth and fifth price and are the best value in the building. Skip the aisle seat itself, take the next one along, and the rail stops being a factor.

If you are buying for a child, book here

Central rows C and D are close to foolproof for a shorter person seeing over the row in front. The seat backs are high enough that all but the tallest head in front sits below the eyeline behind, and the steps between rows are steep. Take the middle of row C first, as central as you can get, then row D behind it.

Both shows here are family bookings, Totoro at 6 and over and The Traitors at 8 and over, and this is the question this theatre's audience actually arrives with. Our answer is to spend the money up here rather than on the front of the Stalls.

What we would not book at any price

The far end of rows A to C on the high-numbered side. Those are the worst seats here by some distance: the outer block sees roughly 10 to 20 per cent of the stage, and even the best of them manage only a little over 60 per cent. They sell at sixth price and they are more about hearing the show than watching it. If the only thing left on your date is a sixth-price Circle seat, call us on 020 7193 9050 before you book it and we will look at other dates with you.

A few seats in row A, where the rows meet the aisles, have very little legroom, so ask us which ones before you book the front row.

The 114 steps

There is no lift to the Circle. It is 114 steps from the ground floor, or 24 if you take the lift as far as it goes and walk the rest. Nothing overhangs the level and nothing compromises the view, so the stairs are what you are paying less for. Book the Stalls if that does not suit you, and the access route has the full picture.

Bars are on the public floors and reached by the lifts, and drinks can be brought to your seat where a bar is out of reach.