Dress Circle at the Old Vic
The first level up, 29 steps from the ground floor. Because the Stalls below are built up so high this season, the Dress Circle feels more like the back of the Stalls than a circle: you look slightly down on the whole stage. There's a central block, long side rows running round towards the stage, and the Stage Dress Circle, a separate raised structure behind the Stage Stalls on the far side.
Where the value is
The side rows. In this layout they look down onto the playing area from close by, which makes them better seats than they are when the stage is at one end, and they're often priced a lot lower than the Stalls. One of them is a row of tall bar-stool seats with a footrest, so you sit high up. If you're comfortable with that, they're brilliant.
The front side row is short on legroom, and on one side a sound desk takes the place of some of the seats in the back two.
The best seats
Row A of the central block. It looks over the top of the main Stalls block, so it's a good choice if you're shorter, and nothing gets between you and the stage. Rows B to D are good too, and the ends of those rows are decent at a lower price.
What to avoid
At top price, skip row E, which has a rail in the view and is a long way back. From row C back, some seats have pillars left over from the theatre's usual layout in front of them, so check the plan's note on the seat before you book.
The Stage Dress Circle
Three raised rows, P, Q and R, on a structure behind the Stage Stalls. You reach them through the Stalls doors, round the stage and up 21 to 30 steps, depending on the row. It's the area to book last. The look down to the stage is steep, safety rails get in the view, especially at the ends of the rows, there's almost no legroom in P and Q for anyone over about 5ft 6, and the structure creaks when people move.
Row R, the back row, is a raised bar bench. It's more comfortable than the two in front, if you're happy to perch.
Legroom, stairs and toilets
Legroom is tighter than in the Stalls, about 20 to 35cm from seat to row, so anyone tall is better off in the main Stalls block. It's 29 steps up to the seats and the bar, and there's no lift to this level. The Stage Dress Circle is reached a different way, from the Stalls.
The Dress Circle has its own bar, open an hour before the show. The nearest toilets are on the Baylis Circle level, another 12 steps up, 41 from the ground. If you're in the Stage Dress Circle, your toilets are in the basement, by the lift.
Dress Circle FAQs
Is the Dress Circle good at the Old Vic?
Yes. It gives you a raised view of the whole stage, looking slightly down on it, and the side rows are some of the best value in the theatre this season. If closeness matters more to you, the Stalls are better at the same price.
What is the Stage Dress Circle at the Old Vic?
Three rows, P to R, on a raised structure behind the Stage Stalls, reached from the Stalls and up a flight of stairs. It's cramped and the rails get in the view, so it's the area we'd book last.