Dress Circle at the Criterion Theatre

The middle level, 32 steps down from Piccadilly Circus. It's properly raked, unlike the Stalls, so nobody's head is the problem here. The pillars are.

Who the Dress Circle suits

Anyone who'd rather look down on the whole stage than be close to it, and anyone happy to sit behind a thin pillar for a lower price.

Where we'd put you

Front of the Dress Circle, centre. The best overview of the stage in the building. Front-row centre is the premium block and is priced accordingly.

Where the value is

Behind a thin pillar. There are a lot of pillars at this level but most are thin, and the thicker ones sit towards the sides. Behind a thin one is usually fine, and sold and priced for it, which makes these decent value once you know what you're buying.

What to watch for

• The brass bar across the front of the level cuts into the sightline from six seats right at the edges. They're sold cheaper for it
• The Upper Circle is above you from row B, and from about row G back you lose the top of the stage
• The thick pillars towards the sides, which cost more of the view than the thin ones

At the very front, row AA is a few seats in pairs on their own at the sides, so nobody has to squeeze past you, though you're looking at the stage from an angle.

Legroom in the Dress Circle

Row A has the most. The front side seats in row AA and the middle of row D have the least, so if you're tall, book row A.

Steps to the Dress Circle

32 steps down from the main entrance on Piccadilly Circus, and there's no lift. Ask and the theatre will open its Jermyn Street stairs for you, which cuts the count and gives you a handrail.

Drinks and toilets

The Lord Attenborough Bar is on this level, with the coffee bar and the merchandise kiosk. Pre-ordered interval drinks are collected from the cloakroom on this level too. The main Ladies and Gents are here, with ambulant cubicles.

Captioned performances

Book here for a captioned performance: the captions run on boards high on both sides of the stage, and this level reads them best. The access page lists the dates.