Stalls at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

The ground floor, rows A to X, and the biggest level in the building. It's laid out in three blocks split by two aisles, so there's no aisle straight down the middle.

Where we'd put you

The centre block, rows F to K. Close to the action and near eye level with the performers, and far enough back to take in the whole stage. These are among the best seats in the building.

For value, take the Side Stalls, rows K to P in the side blocks. You look at the stage at a slight angle, but it's a strong clear view for a good deal less than the middle.

If you like being right in it, rows C to E of the centre block feel up close and personal. The floor is almost flat at the front, though, so if you're shorter, or bringing children, go further back or ask for a booster cushion.

What to avoid

• The back rows, if the show plays high. The Royal Circle comes over the Stalls from around row N, and from around row R the top of the set starts to be cut off. For most shows that's no great loss, but it matters for flying, staircases and anything staged up high. The outermost seats at the very back, from row U, lose the most.
• The very ends of the front rows. The side blocks run wider than the stage, so the outermost seats near the front look along the wall beside it and miss the nearest edge of the stage. They're sold as slightly restricted, and for most shows it isn't drastic.
• O6 and O46, if you're tall. A small wall in front of each cuts the legroom.

Legroom in the Stalls

Much improved since the restoration. It's best around rows D to H and row K. The standout seats are the side blocks in row M: there's an empty row in front of them, so you get extra legroom and nobody sitting directly ahead. If legroom is the priority, ask us for an aisle seat. There's no aisle at the outer end of any row, so a seat at the edge means going along the row to get out.

Getting in, step-free

From the main entrance on Catherine Street there are steps up into the foyer and more down to the Stalls. The Russell Street entrance is step-free, and ramps run from the foyer to the sides of row M, where the level's four wheelchair spaces are. If you can transfer from a wheelchair, any inside aisle seat in the Stalls suits. The access route has the rest.

Drinks and toilets

On the foyer level you'll find the Cecil Beaton Bar, which serves cocktails in a 1920s-style setting, with the Gift Shop at the other end; you can reach both without steps from the Russell Street door. The Rotunda, the champagne bar, is two steps up from the foyer. There are toilets on this level, and accessible ones on both sides of the Stalls, off row M.