Tom Stoppard Theatre (formerly the Duke of York's), London

Royal Circle at the Tom Stoppard Theatre

Walk in off St Martin's Lane and you are on the Royal Circle, with no stairs. We think it is great: you look down over the stage and take in the entire production. Rows A to F form one block of long rows, with Boxes on both sides.

Where to sit in the Royal Circle

• Book: the centre of rows A to C. Closest to the stage and nothing between you and it. Row A has the least legroom
• Good alternative: the centre of rows D and E. The whole stage is still in view, but the floor is fairly shallow, so heads in front matter more and the view is good rather than great
• Swap out of: the ends of rows B and C. Here the side walls and the Boxes crop the edge of the stage, and the very end seats miss about a third of it
• Think twice: row F. Pillars set into the rear wall break it into three sections. At its ends the circle's curve hides the front of the stage, and even from the centre the front is often out of sight

The Upper Circle hangs over the back of this level and does not affect the view from any seat.

Legroom

Overall, it's poor. The front row is the tightest, with your knees pressed against the wall of the circle, and the rows behind are tight too. If you are tall, the Stalls have more room.

Short and in row A? Lights are sometimes rigged on the circle front in your line of sight, and a slight lean forward gets you past them.

Getting in, and the bar

No steps: the entrance, the Box Office, the foyer and the Royal Circle are all on the same level. That makes it the level for anyone who finds stairs difficult, and the two wheelchair spaces are here. The access page explains the difference between them.

The Terrace Bar is 23 steps up, on the Upper Circle level. It is small, so go up as soon as you arrive if you want a spot on the balcony.