Royal Circle at His Majesty's Theatre

Rows A to H, one level up and 32 steps from the foyer. This is where you see the whole stage in one go, and the chandelier from level with it rather than from underneath.

Where we'd put you

Rows A to D, in the middle. This is our pick for a first visit to Phantom. It's the best place in the theatre to watch the chandelier, because up here you are level with it instead of sitting underneath it. You also see the whole stage at once, which counts for a lot in a show that uses its full height.

Row A has the safety wall right in front of it, which is hard on the knees. Above about 5ft 8, go for row B or C instead, which usually cost about the same.

If you've seen Phantom before and want to be closer to the faces, the Stalls are the level for that.

What to avoid

• Rows E to H, for a first Phantom. The level above reaches out over you from row C, and by row E the top of the stage is going, including the last of the chandelier's climb. Row H, at the back, loses the most.
• Seats behind the pillars. There are four slim pillars, all in row E, and the seats behind them in rows F to H are sold as restricted.
• The far ends of the side blocks. The rows curve round towards the stage, and the end seats are restricted and priced accordingly.

Legroom and the rake

Row A is the tightest and row H the roomiest. The rows are only gently stepped, so a tall person in front blocks more here than in the Stalls, and anyone leaning forward on the front rail blocks the rows behind. Row H sits a step higher than the rest, and the step up at its ends is a steep one.

Steps

It's 32 steps up from the foyer, and there's no lift. Once you're in, there are two steep steps between each row.

The Royal Circle Boxes

Boxes 3 and 4 are at this level, one each side of the stage. They're side-on and lose part of the stage, and the Boxes page says what to book instead.

Drinks and toilets

The Royal Circle Bar is the one to find. It has its own balcony looking out over Haymarket, and it's one of the most spectacular bars in the West End. The theatre's own Phantom cocktails are on at its bars: a Masquerade Mojito, a Kir Raoul or an Espresso Mask-tini. There are toilets on this level too.