Stalls at the Sondheim Theatre

Rows A to W on the lowest level, 472 seats in one wide block with no aisle down the middle. There's no row I or O. This is the level to book if you want to be close to the actors, and it's the biggest of the three.

Who it suits

Anyone who wants to be near the stage, and anyone who'd rather not climb: it's 21 steps down, against 39 up to the Grand Circle. It isn't the level for step-free access, which comes in at the Dress Circle.

There's no aisle down the middle, so you reach your seat from one end of the row. If you might need to slip out during the show, book near an end. Row A is the shortest row.

Where we'd put you

As central as possible within your budget. Rows D to G in the middle are the best of the level. The sides are still fine: you watch slightly side-on, and you pay less.

The back of the Stalls is better than its price suggests. A few moments of this show use a high part of the stage, and from the back rows the level above cuts those off, so you get a letterbox view. It's not a disaster for a much cheaper seat, but if the budget stretches, move further forward.

What to avoid

• A15 and A16, if a glimpse of the conductor would bother you. They're often a little cheaper for it.
• The outer four seats of row A, if you're tall. The rest of row A has good legroom, but these four don't.

Legroom in the Stalls

Most seats are fine for all but the very tallest, and the rest of row A takes people up to about 6ft. D25 and L3 have space to stretch one leg.

Steps

The Stalls are 21 steps down from the foyer, and there's no lift. You come in at the back, behind row W. If stairs are a problem, the Stalls aren't the level to book: the step-free seats are in the Dress Circle.

Drinks and toilets

The Foyer Bar is on your way in, and the Stalls Bar is on this level, along with the toilets.