His Majesty's Theatre Seating Plan

Four levels, from the ground up: Stalls, Royal Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony, with four small Boxes beside the stage at the two lower levels. There's no lift, so the level you pick is also a decision about how far you're willing to climb: 32 steps to the Royal Circle, 63 to the Grand Circle and 90 to the Balcony.

Two overhangs shape the view here. The Royal Circle hangs over the Stalls from row J, and the Grand Circle hangs over the Royal Circle from row C. Sit far enough back under either one and you lose the top of the stage, which at Phantom is where the chandelier is.

Should I sit in the Stalls or the Royal Circle?

The Stalls put you close enough to see the actors' faces. The Royal Circle gives you more of an overview of the whole stage, chandelier included. For a first visit to Phantom, we'd book Royal Circle rows A to D.

The Grand Circle is the value call. It doesn't feel as far away as it looks on a seating plan.

The levels at a glance

• Stalls, rows A to T. The centre of rows D to K is the best of the level, there are pillars in rows M, P and Q, and row P has the most legroom in the building
• Royal Circle, rows A to H. Rows A to D for a first Phantom. Row E has four slim pillars, and from row E back the level above takes the top of the stage
• Grand Circle, rows A to K. The value level: closer than it looks, no pillars, tight legroom except in row K
• Balcony, rows A to F. The cheapest seats and the furthest from the stage. A restricted-view Royal Circle seat is often the better buy
• Boxes, four of them, two seats each. Hard on the side of the stage, so skip them for a first visit

Restricted view seats

The pillars create a fair number of them across the Stalls and Royal Circle, and the overhang adds more at the back of the Stalls. They are clearly marked as restricted in our booking process and priced accordingly, so you will always know before you buy.

The first few minutes behind a pillar are the worst. After that you find the lean, left or right, and you don't miss as much as you'd fear. On most shows that makes them a sensible saving. On Phantom, where things happen high and wide, we would rather you paid the difference.

Taller? The best seats for legroom

Stalls row P has the most legroom in the building, comfortable even at 6ft 5, and rows M and N come next. Stalls row A is the tightest on that level. In the Royal Circle, row A puts your knees against the front wall, so skip it if you're over about 5ft 8. The Grand Circle is tight everywhere except row K, and the Balcony is the tightest of all.

Step-free seating

Only in the Stalls, and only by the side entrance on Charles II Street. Come in the main doors and even the Stalls involve stairs, down and then up again. The access page has the detail.

The seating plan

The plan shows all four levels and the Boxes. Tap a section to see what's left on your date and what it costs, then pick your seat from there.

Call us on 020 7193 9050 and we will talk you through any seat in the building.