Stalls at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

The Stalls suit anyone who wants to be close to the actors' faces, and they're one of the two most expensive levels, alongside the Royal Circle. They're 30 steps down from the foyer, rows A to X in one wide block, and the biggest level in the theatre.

Where we'd put you

The middle of the Stalls, rows D to K. You're close enough to catch every expression, the stage is at a comfortable height, and the floor has started to rise enough that the row in front doesn't get in the way.

For a little less, go further back in the middle rather than further to the side. Rows O and P still give you the whole stage, and the price drops a step.

What to avoid

The front rows sit low under a high stage. Row A is the one to skip if you can, because you'll be looking up all evening, and the floor barely rises before row H, so in the first few rows the heads in front matter.

From about row R back, the Royal Circle above cuts off the top of the stage. It starts from row M, but you notice it from about row R, and most plays here don't use the top of the stage, so it rarely spoils a show. If a production has a tall set, stay in front of row R.

From row H back, the outer few seats of each row look past the edge of the side wall, which closes in at row G. The theatre doesn't mark them restricted, so check where your seat sits in the row before you book, or ask us.

For musicals, a sound desk sometimes takes over the middle of the last two rows.

Legroom, stairs, the bar and toilets

It's an old theatre that hasn't been modernised inside, so legroom is tight and the seats are narrower than in newer theatres. There's no aisle down the middle of the Stalls, so you reach your seat from one end of the row or the other, and if you're tall, a seat at the end of a row is the one to ask for. The theatre doesn't sell any seats as extra legroom.

The Stalls are 30 steps down from the foyer, and there's no lift. The Stalls Bar is below you, a further 14 steps down, so allow a minute at the interval. The Ladies and Gents are on this level, and the adapted toilet is at the back of the Stalls with no steps.

The Stalls are also where the two wheelchair spaces are, at the back. The access page has the step-free way in.