Grand Circle at the Novello Theatre

218 seats: rows A to H, a slip row, AA, down each side, and two Boxes. It's the second floor, above the Dress Circle.

Who it suits

Anyone after a front-on view for less money, as long as they book the front of it. The first few rows are often about the same price as a Dress Circle slip, and they're a far better buy.

Where we'd put you

The centre of rows B and C. Front on, clear of the rail, and ahead of the point where the Balcony starts to press down.

What to avoid

• Row D back, if you mind losing the top of the stage. The Balcony overhangs this level, and from row D back it starts cutting the top of the stage off, the same problem the Dress Circle has one level down.
• Row A. A low safety rail runs along the front and doubles in height at the ends of the row, and legroom is tight. Two seats in the row lose even more, to a fuse box in front of them.
• The ends of rows A to C. Because of the curve, the first and last five seats in each of those rows lose the front corner of the stage.
• The slips, row AA. Most of these seats see almost nothing without leaning, which makes them worse than the Dress Circle slips.

Legroom in the Grand Circle

Tight in row A and the slips for anyone over about 5ft 6. The centre of row B and the curved ends of the rows have a little more room.

Steps to the Grand Circle

About 40 steps up from the foyer, and there's no lift.

Drinks and toilets

The Shubert Bar is 29 steps up from the main foyer, on the way up. For the Waldorf Bar, which you share with the Balcony, climb another 17 steps. There are toilets on this level.