The Old Vic, London
The Old Vic is on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road, a two-minute walk from Waterloo if you use the right exit. Martin Guerre is on from 1 to 31 October 2026, and A Christmas Carol follows from 10 November. For this season the theatre is In The Round, with the stage in the middle of the Stalls and almost 900 seats all the way round it.
Still choosing seats? Book the main Stalls block, facing the stage, as close as your budget allows. Productions still play more to that side than to the seats behind the stage. For value, look at the side rows of the Dress Circle, which look down onto the stage from close by and are often priced well below the Stalls. Skip the Stage Dress Circle, a raised structure behind the stage block, unless it's all that's left.
Already booked? Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before, no later. Bags are checked at both entrances, and anything bigger than a rucksack won't be let in. The toilets are limited, so at the interval head down to the basement bar, or next door to the Backstage café.
Each part of the theatre has its own page: the Stalls, including the Stage Stalls, the Dress Circle, including the Stage Dress Circle, and the Baylis Circle, with all of them compared on the seating plan, and a page on the Atkins and Benthall Boxes. After those come how to get here, access, bars and facilities, restaurants, bars and hotels nearby and more about the theatre.
Quick facts
- Address: The Cut, London SE1 8NB, on the corner of Waterloo Road
- Nearest station: Waterloo, about 2 minutes from the Waterloo Road exit
- Capacity: almost 900 In The Round
- Layout: In The Round this season, the stage in the middle of the Stalls
- Levels: Stalls and Stage Stalls, Dress Circle and Stage Dress Circle, Baylis Circle, plus the Atkins and Benthall Boxes
- Steps: step-free to the Stalls from the Waterloo Road entrance; the Dress Circle is 29 steps up and the Baylis Circle 49
- Bars: open an hour before the show
What's On at the Old Vic
Martin Guerre runs from 1 to 31 October 2026, five weeks only. It's a preview production of the Boublil and Schönberg musical, played as semi-staged performances. It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes with no interval, and it's recommended for ages 12 and over.
Coming next:
- A Christmas Carol, 10 November 2026 to 9 January 2027, with Giles Terera as Scrooge. It runs about 2 hours including a 20-minute interval and is recommended for ages 8 and over. It's one of our biggest sellers every year, so book early.
Find Martin Guerre tickets, or call us on 020 7193 9050 for seat advice on any date.
Ticket prices
Each production sets its own prices, so the current bands are on the Martin Guerre page. The Baylis Circle and the side seats upstairs are usually the cheapest, and the main Stalls block closest to the stage the most expensive.
All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.
Book Old Vic tickets
All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.
The Old Vic FAQs
How many seats does the Old Vic have?
Almost 900 in the In The Round layout it uses this season, spread around the stage on three levels.
Is the Old Vic a West End theatre?
It's south of the river, on The Cut in Waterloo, so it isn't in the West End itself. It runs very much like a West End theatre, though, with several productions a year, serious drama and usually some star names.
Is there a dress code?
No, and formal dress isn't expected, so wear whatever you're comfortable in.
Can I take food or drink into the auditorium?
Drinks, yes, in plastic cups or bottles rather than glass, and quiet snacks without noisy wrappers. Hot food isn't allowed.
Can I pay with cash?
At the bars, yes: they take cash as well as cards. The staff selling food and merchandise inside the auditorium take cards and phones only.
Can I bring children?
From age 3: under-3s aren't admitted unless a show's age guidance says otherwise, and under-16s must come with an adult. Each show sets its own guidance, and Martin Guerre is recommended for 12 and over.
What is the bag policy?
Bags are checked at every entrance, and anything bigger than a rucksack isn't allowed into the building. There's no space for suitcases or bikes, so drop them before you arrive.
Do I need to print my tickets?
No. Tickets for the Old Vic are e-tickets, and you show them on your phone, including to get back in after the interval.
When is the Box Office open?
From 10am, Monday to Saturday, in the inner foyer. You don't need to queue there: book with us online or by phone.
Can I book by phone?
Yes. Call us on 020 7193 9050 and we'll tell you what's free on your date and which seats are the better buy for your budget. The price we tell you on the phone is the price you pay.
Can I change or cancel my tickets?
Theatre tickets are generally non-refundable, and what you can change depends on who you bought from. If you booked with us, call 020 7193 9050 and we'll tell you what your booking allows. If you booked somewhere else, get in touch with whoever you bought your tickets from.