Dress Circle at the Vaudeville Theatre

188 seats in rows A to K (there's no row I), one level above the Stalls. The rows are straight rather than curved, 19 seats across, and seat 10 is the middle of every row.

Where to sit

The Dress Circle suits anyone who likes to look down on the whole stage from a little height without going right to the top, and it suits shorter people best, because the legroom is tight. The centre of rows A to E, away from the ends, is the clearest view on this level, and there's no safety rail across the front, so nothing sits between the front row and the stage.

If you don't mind a pillar at the edge of your view, the seats beside the two pillars at the ends of row F are priced lower and still see almost all of the stage. From row F back, the Grand Circle overhead takes a sliver off the top of the stage, which for most shows you won't notice.

Seats to think twice about

Seats 1 and 19, in any row, sit outside the frame of the circle front and miss the edge of the stage nearest them, and at the front of the level those end seats are sold as restricted view. G19 is squarely behind a pillar and is sold as restricted view too. If noise bothers you, avoid the high-numbered seats at the right-hand end of Dress Circle rows A to C. They're beside a fire exit, and noise from the pub outside has been heard during quiet scenes.

Legroom is the bigger catch. It's tight for anyone over 5ft 6, and worst in rows C and D, then B. Row A is fine up to 5ft 7, row J up to 5ft 8, and row K, at the back, has the most room, comfortable up to 5ft 10. If you're taller than that, you'll be happier in the Stalls.

Stairs, drinks and toilets

It's 22 steps up from the foyer, with handrails either side of the stairs, and there's no lift. Inside, there are three steps between each row and no handrails.

The Dress Circle bar is the big one, and it's where the SIX shop is. This level has the Gents, plus a gender-neutral toilet beside the bar. For the Ladies, go down to the Stalls or up to the Grand Circle.