Stalls at the Phoenix Theatre

Rows B to S for Stranger Things, almost half the theatre. Most rows run to 28 seats, straight across rather than curved, with a centre aisle down the middle.

Where we'd put you

The centre of rows E to K. You see the full stage from a comfortable distance, it's the best place in the building, and if the price works these are the seats to go for.

The front rows are worth having too for a show built on illusions. For Stranger Things, sitting right at the front is quite exciting: some of the effects happen right at the edges of the stage, the cast come up and down the centre aisle, and someone in row B may be asked to join in. The show page has more on what to expect.

Row B, the front row for this production, has nothing in front of it but the stage, so the legroom is unlimited. For Stranger Things it may not be on sale in advance, and the height of the stage can take a little off the view from it.

What to avoid

  • The back of the Stalls, for Stranger Things. Row K is where the Dress Circle starts to cover you, and by around rows O to P the stage has shrunk to a letterbox. This show uses the full height of the stage, so back there you miss some of it. For a show staged low, like Come From Away was, the same rows are fine.
  • R1 to 8 and S1 to 6. Rows R and S have gaps in the middle for the sound and light desks, and these seats beside them are the only ones in the theatre lined up directly behind the seat in front, rather than between two heads.
  • The seats nearest the side walls, if you want the whole stage. The first and last few seats in rows C to K look across the stage at an angle, and for Stranger Things the ends of rows C to H are sold as restricted view.

Legroom in the Stalls

The best in the building: fine everywhere for all but the tallest, over about 5ft 10. If you're tall, book K1 or K28. Row J is set in by one seat at each end, so there's nothing directly in front of those two.

Steps to the Stalls

There's no lift to this level. Both ways down have handrails: 16 steps from the Charing Cross Road foyer, or 13 from the main entrance on Phoenix Street. Once you're in, the aisles slope gently towards the stage. The step-free seats are in the Dress Circle.

Drinks and toilets

The Stalls bar is the Icons Bar, a further 7 steps down from the Stalls. It's quite small, so order before the show or have drinks brought to your seat. The Ladies flank the Icons Bar, one on each side, and for the Gents, head along the corridor behind the Stalls to the seat-28 end.

FAQs

Are the back rows of the Stalls good at the Phoenix Theatre?

It depends on the show. The Dress Circle overhangs the Stalls from row K, and from around row O the top of the stage is cut off. For a show staged low, the back rows are good value. For Stranger Things, which uses the full height of the stage, sit further forward.

Which Stalls seats have the most legroom?

K1 and K28, which have nothing directly in front of them, and row B, which has only the stage. Everywhere else in the Stalls is fine for all but the tallest.

Is the front of the Stalls good for Stranger Things?

Yes, if you want to feel part of the illusions. It's a high stage, so from the front row you're looking up at the action, and row B may not be on sale in advance.