10 London Theatres with Cheap Nosebleed Seats- Are They Worth Booking?
The top floor of theatres can go by many different names – whether it be Balcony, Gallery or Upper Circle – and are often referred to as “Nosebleed seats” or “the Gods”, due to their height. These levels often house the cheapest seats, so for savvy bookers, opting for these areas can often be a way to snag a bargain on tickets.
But, not all seats are made equal, and many of these top levels can be particularly steep and high, turning a dreamy deal into a theatre nightmare for vertigo sufferers or people who are afraid of heights. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 of the most vertigo-inducing theatres in London, based on our customers’ reviews, to let you know whether these should be completely avoided or if there are any hidden gems, even if you’re scared of heights!
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Common Issues
There are many different factors that can make upper-level seats particularly bad for vertigo sufferers, which can include:
🎟️ The height of the theatre – Most venues in the West End are quite old and many theatres are simply very tall and narrow. This means any seats in the upper level often have high angled rows and will feel, and often are, quite high up
🎟️ Location of entrance – If the entrance to the auditorium is located at the back and top of the level, audience members have to go down the stairs, while looking directly at the drop ahead of them and the levels below
🎟️ Steep steps – Sharply raked seats or tiering in many upper levels can mean the steps are particularly steep, and feel more difficult to navigate for those with a fear of heights
🎟️ Narrow seats – Some upper levels can be limited on legroom, and have narrow rows, meaning that squeezing past other audience members to get to your seats can feel unsteady and squashed
🎟️ Low backs – When walking across a row with a low-backed seat, some theatregoers can feel even more unsteady on a high level – as if there’s nothing to stop them if they fall. Plus, these seats can often be a little uncomfortable which might prevent audience members from fully forgetting that they’re in “The Gods”.
🎟️ No handrails – If there’s no space for handrails on the stairs, this can make some steep theatre steps feel even more precarious to navigate.
Why Book Nosebleed Seats?
So with all this in mind, why would you book for the top level of the theatre at all? The truth is, a trip to the theatre can be prohibitively expensive for many theatre goers, with premium seats at many venues costing upwards of £200. Seats on the top floor of the theatre are frequently the cheapest in the house and can make a night out much more accessible for many audience members. Sometimes, the nosebleed seats also make getting in and out of the venue easier, depending on the layout of the theatre, and many Balcony levels are smaller than lower levels – meaning less of a queue for toilets and bars.
If you’re looking for a bargain, make sure to check out our view-from-seat photos and customer reviews, with these factors in mind, when booking for the Gods.
All prices mentioned are illustrative and correct at the time of writing [February 2026].
1. Vaudeville Theatre
The top floor at the Vaudeville Theatre is the Upper Circle, which is the third floor of the venue. There are nine rows, A-J. Currently home to SIX the Musical, tickets are generally around £42 for restricted view seats at the front or full view seats toward the rear of this theatre, with seats in the front and centre usually priced around £54.
The stairs in the Vaudeville are particularly steeply raked, and the entrance to the Upper Circle is from the back. One of our SeatPlan team members recalls crawling down the stairs during one visit with a friend who was scared of heights! There is a handrail on the exterior wall. Customers who have sat in this area also note that the rake/tiering is very steep and the legroom is relatively tight, particularly towards the rear of the theatre.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Here we’ve gathered customer reviews that mention vertigo at the Vaudeville:
Upper Circle H10
“You feel very far away from the action and see the play like if it was on a TV. It is also very high up so it’s not advised for people with vertigo…In this case, I do think I would pay a bit more to get a better seat.” – User Martin02
Upper Circle D13
“If you suffer from vertigo, you may not want to go up here: it’s very high and the stairs are quite steep. Personally, I didn’t have a bad experience from this seat and would go again.” –User Sondheimkid
Upper Circle G15
“The view to the stage was clear as there’s a steep rake, although there was someone tall in front that slightly blocked the very front of the stage but not a big deal. You do feel very far away and high up. It’s a steep rake and high up, so be wary if you’re phobic or prone to vertigo.” – User JC1988
Hidden Gems
Some users report that hidden gems can be found in this theatre, reporting good views despite some seats being advertised as restricted.
Upper Circle E13
“Nice theatre, better legroom than other upper tier venues, view was rarely ever restricted!” – User Jackwalsh4
Upper Circle C18
“Great legroom as at the end of aisle. Cannot see the side of the stage but with a concert-style show like Six it does not impact viewing or enjoyment!” – User Red93
Upper Circle A4
“Due to the safety bar at the front, I sat forward throughout the show, but it was fine for me. I was really comfortable and saw every part of the show. I would definitely sit here again.” – User Olasimbos
Our Verdict
Due to the steep steps and height of the theatre, most customers advise vertigo-sufferers avoid the Upper Circle, particularly toward the back. We’d say it might be worth paying a little bit more to sit toward the front and centre of this area if you can handle the stairs, as rows A and C tended to receive the best reviews. Book an aisle seat for a bit of extra leg room!
Alternatively, try the rear Stalls or sides of the Dress Circle, which both have some seats at a similar price. These are restricted – with the Stalls affected by the overhang and the Dress Circle seats being located at the side – but both restrictions are relatively minor, particularly for a show like SIX where most of the action takes place centre stage.
2. Barbican Theatre
The top floor of the Barbican is called the Gallery, and this is the fourth level of the theatre. The Gallery has four rows – two full rows, A-B and two short slips rows at the front and sides, AA and BB. As this area has only four rows, it isn’t particularly steep, but it is high up in the theatre. Prices vary from show to show, although seats in the Gallery are generally the same price throughout, costing around £42 for High Society.
Reviews are mixed, with central seats on Rows A and B earning the best reviews from customers, though those sitting in Row A note that the safety rail does obscure the view, and that the legroom in both areas is relatively tight. Theatregoers in Row B seemed less bothered by the safety rail, due to the extra bit of height. The seats are also in a fixed position, making it difficult to store belongings underneath, and customers also state that the rows are very long and narrow, so it can be a bit of a squeeze to get to your seat if sitting in the centre of the row.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Here we’ve gathered several reviews where customers complained of issues with the height of the theatre, and advised these seats weren’t the best for vertigo sufferers.
Gallery A57
“Very high up. Side view. Leg room terrible and very uncomfortable seat. Also very hard to let people get past you as it’s so narrow. Saw a strange loop and missed most of the staging could only see very front of stage and safety barriers in the way. Do not book if you get vertigo. I wouldn’t buy tickets in the gallery again” – User Graemetyrrell
Gallery AA1
“If you sit back properly in the seat you’ll have a rather restricted view, so some leaning is essential. You feel quite removed from the action and aren’t as easily submerged into it as if you are sitting even in the back row of the Stalls. But for a restricted view seat it could be a lot worse, but I’d only go for this seat for a performance I kinda want to watch, but which isn’t particularly important to me. Rather queue for daytickets!” – User AnjaSchmidt
Gallery A34
“Fair warning that if you’re afraid of heights, this seat probably isn’t for you. It is *very very* high up and the safety rail only comes up to like thigh height if you’re tall. There’s also not a lot of legroom because there’s no space under the seats to put bags. It’s a nice view of the orchestra pit though! You can lean forward and watch over the railings otherwise if you’re sat back in your seat there’s a safety rail in the middle of the stage.” – User If-my-friends-could-see-me-now
Hidden Gems
The Upper Circle, one level down, has restricted-view seats on offer toward the sides, priced from around £59, and many of these seats earn good reviews despite being sold as having a restriction. Many customers who sat in the Gallery also didn’t mind the height of the venue, and found that it actually helped them to appreciate the show a bit more!
Upper Circle B61
“This is a bit of [a] weird seat, as the circle angles at this point. The raised bar to the right is visible, but isn’t a restriction…I had a great clear view of everything, and it doesn’t feel too high up.” – User Megang3
Gallery A15
“I found the view higher up excellent to appreciate the dancing, it’s a view that cannot be seen from the stalls. I could clearly see the whole stage.” – Anonymous User
Gallery B52
“I was unsure booking back row seats but the view is AMAZING. Do not hesitate with these seats, you see everything on stage. Anything more to the left after B50 may miss some of the side parts of the stage… but B51 & 52 were perfect. There is a safety rail infront of you but if you slightly sit up the view is spot on… no complaints at all.” – User Nancyr6
Gallery B21
“This seat was perfect! you do have a safety rail in front of you but due to it being the back row you can lean forward comfortably. The seats are very comfortable and you have lots of leg room. As it is quite a steep incline you feel really close to the stage despite being quite high up.” – User Kaityh
Our Verdict
Based on these reviews, we probably wouldn’t recommend risking the Gallery if you suffer from vertigo or hate heights, unless you can nab a bargain on these seats. Those who are determined to book for the Gallery area should aim for the seats in row B, as the tiny bit of extra height offers a better view.
The restricted-view seats at the sides of the Upper Circle are the real hidden gems in this theatre, offering a clear view for a lower price. Particularly for those with vertigo, it would be worth opting for these seats, as they only cost a little over £10 more per ticket.
3. Apollo Theatre
The top floor of the Apollo Theatre is named the Balcony, which is the fourth floor up and comprises 6 rows, A-F. The Apollo isn’t currently home to a long-running show, meaning the show changes relatively frequently, as do the prices. Seats for I’m Sorry Prime Minister are currently priced around £24 for a restricted view seat to the rear and sides, and around £42 for the more central/front unrestricted seats.
The stairs are relatively steep, and customers report that the front row has additional restrictions due to a safety rail/lighting rig, as well as slightly tighter leg room. There is a handrail on the central aisle, and Balcony seats toward the back of the area are well located for the bars and toilets.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Customers report that the elevated height and steepness in this area makes it less than ideal for those with vertigo or a fear of heights.
Balcony A17
“Very tight, you have to lean forward to see the stage. If you have vertigo, then not the seat for you.” – User Pramilas
Balcony F18
“Pretty good view in terms of distance from the stage but a bit obscured by heads. These seats are very high for vertigo sufferers” – User PennyK
Balcony E15
“View a bit restricted” – User Shauns13
Balcony D27
“…you won’t notice the safety barriers when the lights go down. The seat is so high up however, that if you have even mild vertigo you’ll feel a bit dizzy. You need to be careful navigating the stairs here as they are steep and one wrong move you could fall all the way down!” – User Johnt92
Hidden Gems
Many customers, however, found that seats in the Balcony offered a good view, despite the height, and felt that these seats offered great value for money.
Balcony F14
“Great view for the price with plenty of legroom and a spacious seat – however, sometimes you have to lean forward to see and in some instances, if the person in front of you is tall, it might be complicated to see. But all in all – great value for money seat.” – User Mariaifrim
Balcony D27
“For the price of the seat you are being sold a dream ! Perfect seats, yes you are high up and looking down but you get a view of the whole stage and also you are on a seat on your own so no need to squeeze next to someone.” – User Byronf1
Balcony B17
“If you don’t mind leaning forwards, you can get a clear view of the entire stage. You are very high up and quite far away though…” – User Meganoneill
Balcony A20
“It probably isn’t the best seat in the house but it’s a lot better than I was expecting. I could see the stage perfectly by leaning forward a little bit, and the view from that angle allowed me to really pay attention to a lot of details on the set that I probably wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.” – User Carolm11
Balcony F15
“Right at the back, but didn’t feel too far away, and was able to see everything on stage. The rake is steep so no heads in the way!” – User Ruthwalshe
Our Verdict
Customers generally felt that the seats were very high, so not ideal for vertigo sufferers, but found the view to be generally good, particularly if you don’t mind leaning forward a bit in the rows closest to the front. Customers sitting slightly further back seemed to have a more positive experience than those in row A, due to additional restrictions at the front of the area.
Due to the number of positive reviews for the Balcony in this theatre, we’d recommend risking it if you’re able to navigate the steep stairs. You’ll likely feel more comfortable when sitting and have a decent view, and you could nab a bargain ticket price toward the rear of the Balcony!
4. Fortune Theatre
There are three levels in the Fortune Theatre. The top floor is the Upper Circle, which is made up of seven rows, A-G, and an additional row of standing tickets, which are available when the show is otherwise sold out. The Fortune has been home to Operation Mincemeat since 2023, and tickets in this area for the show are usually priced at £59.50 for seats in rows D-G and a whopping £89.50 in rows A-C.
The Fortune is a small theatre, but the diminutive size of the venue can make this top floor feel even higher, as being so close to the ceiling can emphasise the Upper Circle’s height and make some customers feel a bit claustrophobic. There are handrails in the central aisles and at the far sides of the section.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Many customers felt that there were a lot of steps to get up to this level, and found that the steps down to the seats were a bit tricky to navigate for those with a fear of heights.
Upper Circle E14
“[…] This section of the theatre is extremely steep and I wouldn’t recommend the Upper Circle to people who suffer from vertigo… you’ll get dizzy! 😉 The seats are very squeaky and uncomfortable and there is barely any legroom. The view is poor and you will miss certain bits of the acting that take place in the front section of the stage. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this seat even though it’s the cheapest in the house.” – User Gmr
Upper Circle E5
“Seat is comfy, but legroom and view is restricted. If you struggle with vertigo avoid the Upper Circle as it is very steep.” – User Gdown
Upper Circle A6
“[…]there’s a steep incline to get to your seat so if you have an issue with heights/vertigo then make your way slowly and gently to the seat. There are rails for you to hold onto. Even though it feels like you’ve just climbed 1,000 steps to get to the Upper Circle, you do feel surprisingly close to the stage. […]” – User AndrewH306
Upper Circle C13
“I’ve seen this show many times and twice from this seat. It’s a small theatre so no bad seats but my friend suffers with vertigo and struggled with the steep angle. ” – User Debrawild
Hidden Gems
Some customers did report that they had a decent view of the stage despite the height, although a lot of people noted that the legroom is particularly tight in this venue.
Upper Circle A6
“Amazing seats. A clear view of the whole stage. There is a safety bar which can restrict view slightly if shorter and if you lean forward, those behind you can’t really see. But overall amazing seats and comfortable.” – User Barryc89
Upper Circle G6
“This is the last row of the Upper Circle but despite being a bit high up, the view of the stage is actually not obstructed at all (apart for a hand rail at times) but I had great view of everything happening on stage. It’s next to the aisle so slightly roomier in terms of leg room.” – User Nicolej3
Upper Circle D9
“Very limited legroom, not the most comfortable. However, view was very good – despite being high up, it was a clear unobstructed view.” – User Jackt11
Our Verdict
The price of tickets towards the front of the Upper Circle make this a bit of a no-brainer for us – if you are willing to pay for £89.50 tickets, opt for seats in the Dress Circle or Stalls, which are the same price with much better reviews.
If you’d rather go for the cheaper seats toward the back of the Upper Circle, just be aware that you’re sacrificing a bit of comfort for a lower price – as legroom issues are a common complaint for this venue – and be sure to take your time on the stairs!
5. Harold Pinter Theatre
The Harold Pinter Theatre is made up of four levels, and the top floor is the Balcony. The Balcony has 6 rows, A-F, and an additional row of standing spaces which are available when seats are sold out. There are handrails on the aisle. The price of tickets varies from show to show in this venue, but tickets for High Noon are currently around £31 for seats toward the rear of this area, with some select seats front and centre priced at £49.
Veritgo Inducing Seats
Customers note that the seats are very high and steep, but that these actually offer a very reasonable view. Tall people beware, however – the legroom in this theatre is notably tight in the Balcony.
Balcony F17
“Leg room in this seat was pretty cramped and I’m only around 5″4, thankfully the show wasn’t too long otherwise I would have been in a lot of pain had it gone on much longer. The view was quite good though, being the farthest away seats I expected it to be a lot worse than it was. Beware also that it is quite vertigo-inducing.” – User Chloerose
Balcony C15
“Sold as restricted but the view was fine, very steep rake so if you suffer from vertigo these seats won’t be for you.” – User Susanclements
Balcony B12
“Row B seemed to have slightly more leg room than row A or C. The people in row A were definitely shuffling because of restricted leg room. I found the seat itself did not suit my back and so could not quite get comfortable. […]. It is very very high up and very vertical climbing down to the seats so if you have vertigo or just a bit of worry about heights, would not be for you.” – User Nicolar29
Hidden Gems
Many customers felt that the view was worth it for the price of the tickets, and that the height of the theatre affected the view less than they thought.
Balcony C12
“Perfect view of the entire stage if you lean forward a bit, it is a bit far but not horrendous, you can still make out the faces and facial expressions. There is a rail, but it does not obscure any part of the stage.” – User Florab
Balcony A19
“Not as bad a view as I was expecting! Definitely very high and quite far from the stage but it’s easy to look around the railing and see almost the whole stage” – User Meganoneill
Balcony A2
“Very limited legroom. […] you feel much closer to the stage than expected, especially on the front row. Not good for anyone with vertigo though. At my height I was able to look under the bar in-front to get a clear view of the stage, anyone much taller and the bar would be in clear view, and the staff ask you before the show not to lean forward. […]. Overall very reasonable for the price.” – User Megang3
Our Verdict
There are a decent number of seats around the £31 or £49 mark in the next level down at this theatre, the Royal Circle, so if your main concern is cost it may be worth going for these – whilst bearing in mind they may come with a restricted view due to pillars, which the Pinter is notorious for. Otherwise, customers rate the view in the Balcony… just exercise extra caution on the steep stairs.
6. Savoy Theatre
The top level of the Savoy Theatre is the Upper Circle, which is the third floor, and it has 10 rows, A-K. Currently home to the very in demand Paddington the Musical, both the stairs and ticket prices are pretty steep here, with tickets priced around £60 in this area – one of the more expensive top-levels on our list.
The Savoy is a notoriously long and thin theatre, and the Upper Circle offers a very clear view of the drop all the way down to the Stalls, making it particularly difficult for vertigo sufferers, but there are handrails on the aisles to assist you in navigating the stairs.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Customers report the height of the theatre making it less-than-ideal for vertigo sufferers, and also state that additional restrictions due to handrails can make the view tricky in this area.
Upper Circle K4
“Back row of this section. The rake is quite large but you may need to move your head to take in the full stage. There is a rail right at the bottom of the section which might impede your view if the actors come out that […]Very high up – if suffer from vertigo, give this seat a miss.” – User Michellejones2
Upper Circle D26
“…The Upper Circle is high and steeply raked so a definite no no for any sufferers of vertigo however this was beneficial as I had a clear sight line of the stage. The seat didn’t even feel that far away. Admittedly you can’t clearly see the actors’ faces but I didn’t feel completely disconnected. The seat was ok, nothing particularly special and the legroom was adequate. What made it better was some room to the left of this seat to put my bag and coat clearing the way for my leg room space! I actually felt this seat wasn’t that bad and would sit here again if I had to though I would advise for a better experience to pay more and sit in the Dress or Stalls.” – User Zh14
Upper Circle F26
“[…]There are two rails in your sightlines, which makes you miss everything if the actors stand in a certain position rather to the front of the stage. […] This section of the house is also very high up and if you’re suffering from vertigo this will be too steep for you. On the other hand, it’s also almost street level, so you don’t have to climb many stairs to get here, which is quite convenient.” – User Leahpage
Hidden Gems
Some users did find that they had a positive experience in the Upper Circle seats, however, particularly those seats without any additional restrictions due to safety rails, or with rails that could be leant past.
Upper Circle A13
“Really great seat with no obstructions.” – User Dominicconrad
Upper Circle F15
“Legroom is very tight as a taller person, but the view is so central for the price. There are two safety bars, but you can easily lean over, and you will get such a great view of the stage! For the price, you cannot really fault it; there was no part of the show I could not see.” – User Hannahm13
Upper Circle D22
“This was a good seat. I could see the entire show with no issues!” – User Jessicar17
Our Verdict
Customers found that the view from these seats wasn’t as bad as expected, but note the steepness of the rake wouldn’t make them ideal for vertigo sufferers, and that legroom throughout the area was pretty tight.
If you’re not too fussed about heights, these could do the job in a pinch, however there are also some seats toward the rear of the Dress Circle that are the same price as the Upper Circle seats. If you’re particularly bad with heights we’d advise going for these instead.
7. Theatre Royal Haymarket
There are four levels in the Theatre Royal Haymarket, and the top floor is the Gallery. Comprised of 7 rows, A-G, prices vary from show to show – for example, for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry seats are generally priced around £31 in the back two rows, or £43 in rows A-E, while for Grace Pervades rows C-G are £37 and rows A and B are £49.
It’s worth noting that the seats in the Gallery at this theatre are bench-style seats, which are padded but have a low back, so not ideal for those with back issues or very lengthy productions. There are handrails on the aisles.
Ordinarily, we’d recommend moving down one level if you’re uncomfortable with heights, however many seats in the Upper Circle have also received reviews from customers that state they are pretty high up. While these may be a bit more manageable for those with truly terrible vertigo, the cost of tickets does increase quite significantly, ranging from around £37 for restricted view seats, all the way up to the £80 mark.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Vertigo inducing seats received mixed reviews – many users reported the views were not as bad as they expected, but that the height would make these unsuitable for people with a fear of heights.
Gallery D11
“Pretty uncomfortable bench, with very limited view.” – User Et1
Upper Circle F3
“Really small amount of legroom […] It’s also really steep- which means the view is pretty unencumbered (despite the tickets being ‘restricted view’) but for anyone with vertigo, these seat would be a no-no!” – Anonymous User
Upper Circle A14
“This seat is billed as ‘restricted view’ and that you view through a perspex screen but as you can see this certainly is not the case. Leg room was slightly tight and you do need to move to allow others to pass in front.[…] it is also very steep so not a seat for anyone with vertigo. However a good view with only a very tiny amount of action very front stage left obscured.” – User Carldarling
Gallery E11
“As the seat is so high up and the backrest fairly short, it meant my back ached towards the end of the show.” – User Tiggyo
Hidden Gems
A lot of seats in the Gallery did receive a large amount of positive reviews despite the height, although customers still advise caution for those with vertigo.
Gallery C8
“You are high and distant from the stage, but you can see everything and it is cheap and cheerful. Really good central view – this theatre is known for restricted views due to the curve of the balconies – so this central view is ace. These are padded benches with low backs, but again comfortable enough. Not for the infirm or those with vertigo.” – User Katiel16
Gallery A2
“Excellent view could see the whole stage, so much room not just leg room but either side of cushioned bench seat was the wood bench meaning there was plenty room between seats. The cushioned bench was a little uncomfortable after a while but worth it for view at the price.” – User Lesleyc67
Gallery B16
“Wonderful clear view of this simple set. It only loses a star because of the distance. This is a very large theatre and you are not close to the action – good enough to enjoy the play and the acting, but there is a reason people pay silly prices to sit closer! Otherwise this is a comfortable theatrical experience in a very beautiful theatre.” – User Katiel16
Upper Circle A19
“…Perfect central view of the whole stage. High up, but still feels relatively close to the stage. Would definitely book this seat again.” – User TheatreGuide
Gallery A7
“Central view, more or less unimpeded by the bar (provided you sit up). On the far side, but really no problem at all. Plenty of legroom. Lots of seats to this level (and more to the toilet). No space under the seat for bags. Bench style seat.” – User RedBusBookandTheatreLover
Our Verdict
Some customers find the Gallery seats surprisingly comfortable, despite the bench-style seating, and worth it for the low price of tickets, while others found this really impacted their enjoyment of the show.
While the Gallery is both high and steep, tickets in this area are pretty reasonably priced and received generally pretty positive reviews. We’d say it’s worth grinning and bearing it if you can for a cheaper night out, as seats in the Upper Circle are also relatively high and cost significantly more.
8. Palace Theatre
There are four levels in the Palace Theatre, with the Balcony up top. This theatre has the largest top floor on our list, with 14 rows labelled A-O. Home to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, prices for the Balcony vary a lot for this show, with seats towards the sides and rear priced at £36, seats towards the front priced at £60 and seats in the centre – the best place to sit in this area – costing £80. Do, however, bear in mind that as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is staged in two parts, these prices cover both shows – so the £80 tickets work out at £40 per show.
It’s not just the prices that are steep here – the Balcony is very high and steeply stepped in the Palace Theatre, with tickets in the £36 and £60 price ranges also suffering from additional obstructions due to safety rails. There are handrails available on the stairs. Customers also note that leg room in this area isn’t ideal, and that it can get very hot, particularly in the summer.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Customers in this area emphasised the height and steepness of this theatre, and reported additional restrictions due to handrails.
Balcony C5
“Wow this is high. If you have vertigo or are scared of heights try to avoid these seats. We saw absolutely everything although the stage was very far away. For the low price we paid, we had had a decent view but the seats were very uncomfortable and would be even more so for a tall person.” – User Joannebrett
Balcony H1
“If you lean forward you can see much of the show, but this hurts your back slightly, it is not a great seat at all due to height. Bad legroom, and safety rails” – User Robbied5
Balcony K15
“Acceptable view of entire stage except from extreme downstage (which is used a few times, if it is your first time seeing the play, you may want to find a seat where you can see this part of the stage). The seat is in the center of the auditorium so you have a great straight on view. Leg room is very minimal and the balcony is extremely high up and steep. Not great for vertigo sufferers. For the price, this seat is great, but if this is your first time seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, you may want to spend a small bit more to experience the play in its fullest.” – User Jackfenton
Hidden Gems
On the other hand, many customers weren’t bothered by the height, although they noted that they did not have vertigo, and thought these seats were good value for money with a decent view.
Grand Circle G14
“Great value considering the seats further forward in this section are a much higher price. Have a fantastic view of all the stage and you miss very little of the action even despite the warning the overhang obscures the view as this does not factor in to this particular production. There are odd moments at the very front of the stage you have to lean forwards for but these are brief moments rather than protracted scenes. The majority of the play is front and centre so you have completely clear sight lines. Considering we sat here for more than four hours over both parts the seat is relatively comfortable all in and decent enough legroom not to feel cramped. Overall a great value ticket and would sit in this section / row again.” – User Ben1983
Balcony C26
“The balcony seats are quite steep and high up, so I do not recommend it for those with vertigo (I don’t, so it didn’t bother me at all). For those who are really tall, the lack of legroom might be a problem.[…]. Great view of the stage! Had to wiggle a bit to see faces as the handrails are in the way sometimes (as was warned when I purchased the ticket) and had to lean forward a bit to see the bottom left corner and frontmost section of the stage. Since the balcony is so steep, the view is never blocked by that tall person sitting in front of you, which is a huge plus for a relatively short person like me. All in all, I’m surprised these were the cheapest tickets in the theatre. They were totally worth it.” – Anonymous User
Balcony N18
“…Overall I thought this seat was great value for money – yes it’s one of the cheaper seats in the theatre and is pretty much as far away from the stage as you can get, but you do get a clear view of the whole stage and can follow everything that’s going on just fine. For Harry Potter you can still see all of the amazing effects and feel included in the performance. The legroom is very tight, and my knees took a little while to get back to normal at each break! Even though the seats are very steeply raked and very high, once sat down I didn’t feel this was a problem at all, but I could imagine vertigo sufferers might struggle. I did need to lean forward for quite a few parts if the person in front leant forward. There was about 5 minutes of the play that I couldn’t see, where something happens right at the very front of the stage – I think this part would be missed by pretty much everyone in the balcony. ” – User Jamb0r
Our Verdict
For those who might be able to forget about the height of the theatre once sitting down, we’d probably recommend these seats, particularly if you’re on a budget – although again, it’s worth remembering all prices for Harry Potter do cover both shows. Generally, those sitting toward the front and more centrally had the best view.
Customers report having a great view of the special effects from the Balcony, however for those who would be happy to splash out on the £80 tickets, if you can stretch your budget, it’s potentially worth moving down to the Grand Circle for £10-20 more per show to feel a bit closer to the magic.
9. Noel Coward Theatre
The Noel Coward Theatre has four floors, with the Balcony up top. This level has 5 rows, A-E, plus slips seats in row AA – which are on the same level as row A but curve around the sides of the theatre, and are a padded bench-style seat. The entrance to the Balcony comes in at the back of the seating area, so it is required to navigate the steep stairs to reach your seats, and there are no handrails.
Prices vary from show to show, but the Noel Coward generally has some of the cheapest tickets in their balcony of any of the theatres on our list, with rows A-E usually priced around £36 for Cyrano de Bergerac, while slips seats in row AA – which suffer further restrictions due to the curvature of the auditorium – cost as little as £18.
The next level down, the Grand Circle, in this theatre is also relatively high – so those hoping for a reasonably priced ticket that doesn’t set off their vertigo may be out of luck. While this level is, of course, lower than the Balcony, customers do also report that you have to navigate steep steps to get to your seats, and that the level does feel very high.
Grand Circle seats also have a sharp increase in price – jumping up to around the £60 or £78 mark – although there are also slips seats available in row AA which are priced at £18 like in the Balcony, though these offer a quite heavily restricted view.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Lots of customers felt that the height made it feel too far away to see facial expressions, and that these seats would not be good for vertigo sufferers, as they felt a bit wobbly at this distance.
Balcony D3
“…. The balcony is high up, not good for people with vertigo and you are a long way away from the stage. No chance of seeing facial expressions. The railing from the balcony is in view for the front part of the stage.” – Anonymous User
Balcony A7
“If you have vertigo, then this seat is not for you. Very high up but view of the stage isn’t too bad at all. I would sit here again if I didn’t feel wobbly that high up!” – User Pramilas
Balcony E11
” A very steep view that overlooks the stage, with a tangible sense of vertigo. Seat comfort is decent, with just adequate legroom.” – User Jarrellgoh
Balcony AA27
“I would only recommend this seat if you have seen the show before as you will have to lean for the whole show and you will miss a good portion of the left hand side of the stage. […] You do have a nice little space on the left to put bags and coat etc or to move legs around in, but whichever way you look at it you will have to lean so be prepared for a sore back by the end of the show. It may also induce vertigo in some people as the Grand Circle is pretty high. ” – User Chocobofarm
Hidden Gems
Many customers reported that they had a good view from both the Balcony and Grand Circle seats, however, finding the Balcony in particular good value for money, and stated they’d book them again for a return visit.
Grand Circle AA15
“End seat of the slips. I loved this seat, I felt I had slightly more legroom than the rest of the slip seats because of the curve. You definitely have to lean forward over the rail to see the full stage, but not a problem. There was room behind to put your bag, coat etc. So well worth the price. Would sit here again.” – User LoveTheatre22
Balcony A4
“The seat is advertised as a restricted view because of the safety rail. It’s only the very front of the stage that the rail obscures. I found this seat extremely comfortable having sat in it for over 3 hours, the leg room is adequate with the parapet being below knee level. I would definitely seat here again.” – User Jason23
Grand Circle C20
“The view is surprisingly good from this seat by virtue of the fact this is a smallish theatre so the circles aren’t too far back from the stage. Coupled with this the rake is very good so you have a clear view of the whole stage. The seat is comfortable but the leg room feels a little limited. I would happily grab this seat again.” – User Davidb183
Our Verdict
While reviews were mixed for this venue, many customers report that a lot of seats in these areas do require a bit of extra effort, including leaning over safety rails to get the best view at the Noel Coward.
Vertigo sufferers may need to resign themselves to paying a bit more, as the top two floors of the theatre are both very high and steep. For comfort’s sake, we’d probably suggest that those with a fear of heights venture no further than the Dress Circle, but the Grand Circle is the lesser of two evils if you are on a budget.
10. London Palladium
While the London Palladium Theatre has only three levels – with the Grand Circle up top – the sheer size of this theatre means these top-floor seats can be pretty vertigo-inducing. This is the second biggest top-level seating area on our list, comprised of 13 rows, A-M. The entrance to the level is at the rear of the auditorium, which means you will need to go down the steep steps to take your seat, and there are short handrails at the end of each row.
Seats in this theatre can vary quite a lot in price – some short-run shows, including comedians and concerts, operate blanket pricing throughout the house with prices generally starting from around £35 – but the Palladium Panto pricing is usually by area, and seats in the Grand Circle generally cost upwards of £37.
Vertigo Inducing Seats
Quite a few customers stated that the steepness of the steps would make this a big challenge for vertigo sufferers.
Grand Circle F19
“Vertigo inducing view, looking down from the wide right side of the venue, right side of the stage gets cut off a little. Average legroom, limited room on the armrest.” – User Emonh
Grand Circle C36
“Zero legroom – I’m only 5ft 4, and my knees were digging into the seatback in front of me. The seat cushion was comfortable enough, but the seats are very narrow, so your elbows will be digging into the armrests – you’ll get very cozy with your neighbour. There are very steep stairs down to the seats, so not good if you have vertigo or dodgy knees. The view is fine, but far away and high up, and you would miss the front of the stage ” – User CookieGhost
Grand Circle A18
“The view from here isn’t actually terrible – you have a safety rail in front of you but after a while, you forget about it, and occasionally have to lean forward or back to see around it if action is happening at the very front of the stage. The legroom, however, is terrible, and if you’re very tall then I really wouldn’t recommend sitting here. […] Also if you have issues with vertigo you won’t have a fun time getting in or out of the seats here because there are many steep stairs to go down – I’m not sure if you could ask the ushers to get in through one of the side doors instead perhaps? The back doors are the main ones I’ve had to use when entering this level. Once you’re sat down the height doesn’t feel so bad.” – User Rukayacesar
Hidden Gems
Lots of users, however, stated that they actually didn’t mind the height, and would choose these seats for another visit to the theatre.
Grand Circle K28
“Amazing view for the price paid, legroom fine, central seat, a couple rows in front of the back of the grand circle in this section. Slightly vertigo inducing if you aren’t a fan of heights.” – User Callumc101
Grand Circle B26
“Brilliant seat! Central view and raked enough back that you can see over the people in front and don’t miss any of the stage. Would definitely choose to sit here again.” – User Archiew3
Grand Circle E19
“High up and you’re looking down at the stage, leg room is tight, so your bag has to be between your legs, but the view was good, nothing missed, so well worth it if you’re looking for a value seat. Would sit here again.” – User Kevlar
Grand Circle M17
“The seat is at the back of the Grand Circle but offers a great view for low price paid. Only a tiny part of the stage is cut off and didn’t affect the performance. The seat has good legroom with more offered by being an aisle seat. I have sat in other seats in this section – Row B & Row I seat 19 (review left) and this seat has more legroom than those rows/seats. The seat was fairly comfortable. I would sit here again.” – User SamJones83
Our Verdict
Those who suffer from vertigo should probably opt for lower levels in this large theatre, particularly if booking for a show where all seats are the same price. If you must settle for the Grand Circle, aiming for a central seat offers the best view. Tall people should also probably avoid the Grand Circle in the Palladium, as tight legroom was a frequent complaint.
Let Us Know Your Thoughts!
Are cheap tickets more important to you, or do you prefer to be lower down in the theatre? Whether you’re a Balcony-seat bargain hunter or too terrified of heights to venture beyond the Stalls, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you visited any of the venues and sat in any of the steep, vertigo-inducing seats or hidden gems mentioned above – and if so, do you agree with our verdict? Let us know in the comments below!
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