Upper Circle at Hackney Empire

The second level up, and the best value in the theatre if you sit at the front. The way in is round the side of the building, on Wilton Way, not through the main doors.

Where we'd put you

The front rows, in the middle. You see the whole stage for less than the levels below.

What to think twice about

• The panto. When the cast go down into the Stalls to talk to the audience, you won't see much of it from up here
• The back rows. You still see the stage, but not the details, and the rise between rows is gentle, so you may be looking round the person in front
• Legroom. It's the tightest in the theatre. If you're tall, take the Dress Circle
• The ends of rows A and B, which curve round and look at the stage from the side

Getting there, bars and toilets

Go in by the side entrance on Wilton Way and up 52 steps. There are handrails on the walls but none in the central aisle, so take the stairs slowly. A lift goes to this level, but there are no wheelchair spaces up here. There's a bar and an accessible toilet on this level.