Dress Circle at the Prince Edward Theatre
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405 seats over rows A to O, with no row I. The centre of this level is the best place to sit in the theatre, and the back of it is the part we like least, which makes it the level where the seat you pick matters most.
Where to sit
Rows B to E, in the centre. That is our pick of the building. You are high enough to take in the whole stage, close enough to still be in the show, and the Stalls only beat it on legroom.
The rear of this level is set back and we like it noticeably less. It is not a bad view, it is a more distant one, and a rear Dress Circle seat and a centre Stalls seat at the same money is not a close call.
Row A, and the wall in front of it
Row A has a wall in front of it, put there to stop anyone going over the edge, and the theatre often mounts lighting in front of it.
Shorter audience members can end up not being able to see over it.
Take row B instead, then C, D and E. You lose nothing by doing it.
How the level is laid out
The shape changes at row F. Rows A to E run as two blocks, then a horizontal aisle sits behind row E and everything from row F back runs as three.
Two things at the back that a plan does not make obvious. The first is that rows N and O hold five seats apiece and sit off to one side, not in the middle, so a cheap seat in row N is not a cheap central one. And a handful of seat numbers are missing from rows L and M, so check the plan around there rather than assuming a full row.
The overhang
It comes from the Grand Circle above it.
It begins at row F, where the level steps up into its rear section, but it does not cost you anything for a while. The front and middle are clear, and the further back you go past about row K the more of the picture goes. Rows M, N and O are the worst affected. N and O are the two odd ones out on this level as well, five seats each and off to one side rather than in the middle.
What it takes is the top of the picture, the same as downstairs, and the back rows are set further from the stage as well. That combination is why we would not send you to the back of the Dress Circle. If the money is close, the front of the Stalls or the front of the Grand Circle is a better seat.
Legroom
A little tighter than the Stalls, though comfortable enough once you are past the first two rows. If you are tall and you want this level, book row C or backwards from there.
The Loges are up here too
The ten Loges sit at the sides of this level, five each side, and they are among our favourite seats in the West End. They are a different proposition from the ordinary side seats and they are covered properly on the Loges, slips and Boxes route.
The bar
The Dress Circle Bar is on this level, and it opens onto an external balcony, which is a rare thing in a West End theatre and a good reason to come up for the interval rather than stay put.
Getting up here
Stairs. The foyer lift serves the Stalls only, so if steps are a problem the Stalls are the level to book. The access route covers it.
Dress Circle FAQs
Is the Dress Circle better than the Stalls at the Prince Edward Theatre?
The centre of the Dress Circle is the best place in the building, so on that one comparison, yes. Everywhere else the two levels are close enough that price should decide. The Stalls have better legroom and are the step-free level, and the rear of the Dress Circle is the part we would avoid.
Should I avoid Dress Circle row A?
Yes. There is a wall along the front of it, with lighting often mounted in front of that, and shorter audience members can end up unable to see over it. Take row B instead, or C, D or E.
Where is the aisle in the Dress Circle?
Behind row E. Rows A to E are two blocks, and from row F back the level splits into three. That is also where the front section ends, so a seat number that is central in row D is not necessarily central in row G.
Are Dress Circle rows N and O central?
No. They are five seats each, to one side rather than in the middle, which is unusual and easy to miss on a plan. If you are booking at the back of this level, check where the seats actually sit before you take the price.