Dress Circle at the London Coliseum

Rows A to L, one floor above the Stalls. It wraps round the Stalls rather than hanging over them, which is why nothing below it loses any view, and why its side seats sit closer to the stage than its middle.

Where we'd put you

The front of the centre, rows B to D. You see the whole of the stage, and for an opera, rows A to C are the most comfortable read of the surtitles anywhere in the building.

For value, go to the ends. The middle of the Dress Circle sits behind the Stalls and faces the stage square on. The ends curve round beside the Stalls, which puts them closer to the stage than the middle seats and usually cheaper, in exchange for looking across the stage rather than straight at it. On a stage this wide, the angle costs you very little of the show, and it's the best value on the level. The slips, the short rows running along the sides, are a good buy if you can get one cheap.

What to avoid

  • Row A, for legroom. Most of the row has next to none, and there's a safety bar along the front. Rows B to K in the centre are comfortable to about 5ft 10.
  • Rows H to L, for an opera. The back four rows can't see the surtitle screen. The centre of rows B to K is otherwise the best mix of view and value up here, but three of those rows, H, J and K, have no screen view, so for an opera stop at row G.
  • The back three rows, for a show that uses the full height of the stage. The Upper Circle overhangs them and cuts off the top of the picture. For most shows it's minimal, and not many seats on this level are affected, but it's the part of the Dress Circle we like least.

Seats A1 and A72 at the very ends of the front row have equipment in the way.

Steps, and the step-free row

If you're short, row L is worth a look: it's raised a step above the rows in front, so heads get in the way less. The seating plan marks 22 steps on this level. From the lift, row K is step-free, and it holds the level's two wheelchair spaces and four transfer seats.

The Royal Box and the Dress Circle Boxes

The Royal Box and Boxes 9 to 13 are on this level. They're side-on and slightly restricted, and the Boxes route says when they're worth it and what to book instead.

Drinks and toilets

The Dress Circle bar is on this level, so you don't have to go down for the interval. The toilets include an accessible one, which has two steps.

Dress Circle FAQs

Is the Dress Circle good at the London Coliseum?

Yes. Rows A to C see the whole stage and give the best surtitle view in the building, and the ends are nearer and cheaper than the middle. Its weaker part is the back three rows, where the level above cuts the top of the stage.

Which Dress Circle rows can't see the surtitles?

The back four, rows H, J, K and L. If you're booking an opera, sit in row G or further forward, and rows A to C are the best of all.

Are the side seats in the Dress Circle worth it?

Usually, yes. Because the circle wraps round the Stalls, the side seats are closer to the stage than the centre ones and tend to cost less. You look across the stage rather than straight at it, but on a stage this wide you lose very little.