First Circle at Sadler's Wells

The middle level, rows A to M, and the one we'd book first. There's no safety rail across the front, the floor rises well, and you look down on the whole stage at once, which is what you want for dance. Sadler's Wells calls it the First Circle; other theatres would call it the Dress Circle.

Where we'd put you

Rows A to C, in the middle. Nothing blocks the view and you see every corner of the stage, the dancers' feet included. In row A, sit at least two seats in from the aisle, so you aren't looking past the side balconies.

The rest of the level is good too. The seats are staggered and every row is raised, so a tall person in front shouldn't block you, and the back rows feel a little further away without losing any of the stage.

What to know before you book

Row M, the back row, sits partly under the Second Circle, which cuts into the view a little, and the technical equipment above it can be distracting. It's usually priced lower to make up for it.

Legroom

It varies more than on the other levels. Row A suits people up to about 5ft 8, rows B to K about 5ft 10, and the back two rows, L and M, are the tightest at about 5ft 7.

The slips

Down each side between the front of the circle and the stage. The seats nearest the stage are high, padded bar stools with no back: a side view that loses the top of the stage, but fair value if you don't mind sitting without a back. Behind them are movable chairs in a narrow space, with not much legroom for anyone over about 5ft 6.

Getting there, bars and toilets

You come in at the back and walk down, two steps per row. There's a lift to this level, which takes you step-free to row M, where the wheelchair space is, and staff can take you to row A by a step-free route through the Mezzanine if you ask on arrival.

There's a bar on this level, open an hour before the show.