Royal Circle at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Now playing: Avenue Q From £30 Book tickets
380 seats over 12 rows, lettered A to M. This theatre calls its middle level the Royal Circle, so you will not find a Dress Circle on its plans or its tickets.
The Royal Circle is normally the middle level of three. While the Grand Circle is closed for the dome restoration it is the top of the theatre, so there is no cheaper level above it to weigh it against and the decision comes down to this level or the Stalls.
Where to sit
The same centre aisle runs through this level at seats 18 and 19, so the middle is found the same way it is downstairs.
The front rows are the ones to aim for, and unlike the Stalls there is no desk cut into this level.
The view from up here is a good one and this level is not a compromise. The one thing to know is the overhang: the Grand Circle sits above and closes in the further back you sit, so rows A to G are where to be. From around row H you start to lose the top of the stage.
Stairs and the bar
Only the Stalls have a lift. Anyone who finds stairs hard should book downstairs, and Access covers the transfer seats at the front of this level.
The bar on this level is named after Bertie Crewe, the architect, and is up a few steps. Coffee and cake are served here before the show and at the interval.
Royal Circle FAQs
Is it called the Dress Circle or the Royal Circle?
The Royal Circle. Plenty of theatres call their second level the Dress Circle and people arrive expecting that name here, but the Shaftesbury uses Royal Circle on its own plans and on its tickets. If you are searching for a seating plan or a seat number, that is the term that will find it.
Is the Royal Circle the top level?
At the moment, yes, though normally it is the middle of three. The Grand Circle above it is closed while the theatre restores the dome over the auditorium, and it is due back in early 2027. Until then the Royal Circle is the highest you can sit.
Is there a lift to the Royal Circle?
No. The lift serves the Stalls only, so the Royal Circle is reached by stairs. If stairs are a problem, book the Stalls, which are step-free and are also the better level here anyway. The venue's own team can talk through the route before you book.