Grand Circle at the Phoenix Theatre

Rows A to J, the top level, and better than its reputation. The Phoenix is small enough that the Grand Circle doesn't feel remote: it feels like being in the Dress Circle at a bigger theatre, a little higher up.

Where we'd put you

Rows C and D, away from the centre aisle and the ends. Row B is good value too, if you don't mind the rail at the bottom of your view. The view is clear and complete from most of this level, and the front rows feel pleasantly close to the stage. What you're buying is a more raised angle: you look down at the stage rather than across at it.

Before you book up here, check the price against the back of the Dress Circle. We'd take that first for similar money, and go up to the Grand Circle when the saving is large.

What to avoid

• A15 and A16, and seats 14 and 15 from row B back. These are the centre-aisle seats, with a metal post beside each, and there's a taller bar where the aisle ends.
• Row A. It has its own safety rail and almost no legroom. From row C back you see over the rail.
• A1 to 3 and A28 to 30. Being on the curve of the circle, these end seats can't see the corners of the stage.

Legroom in the Grand Circle

The tightest of the three levels, and snug in every row for anyone tall. An aisle seat at the end of the row gives you room to stretch one leg, or come down to the Stalls, where K1 and K28 have the most legroom you can book.

Getting up there

The Grand Circle has its own door on Phoenix Street, immediately to the left of the main entrance, and it's 51 steps up from the street. There's no lift, and you can't reach it from the Charing Cross Road foyer. Inside, 24 steep steps with handrails run down the aisles from row J to row A.

The theatre advises against it for anyone with vertigo. Read that as a stairs warning rather than a heights one: it's a couple of levels up, but it's not as high as some of the balconies in the West End.

Drinks and toilets

The Grand Circle Bar is 8 steps down from the Grand Circle, and the Gents are inside it. The Ladies are on the same level as the seats. The bars are small, so order your interval drinks before the show or have them brought to your seat.