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National Theatre - Olivier
Seating Plan

Seating Plan & Seat View Photos

Select seats to view real seat view photos from SeatPlan members, with ratings for comfort, legroom and view to help you book the best The Story tickets and The Jungle Book tickets.

Select a show to see seating plan and seat view photos

The Story
The Jungle Book

Best Seats in the House

National Theatre - Olivier Seat Guide

The National Theatre - Olivier London has a capacity of 1127 seats. Section capacities are 609 Stalls and 518 Circle. Use our interactive seating plan to view 5553 seat reviews and 4887 view from seat photos.

The Olivier Theatre is the National Theatre’s largest space, with a fan-shaped auditorium comprising two wide sections, the Stalls and Circle, which curve gently around a thrust stage. Built in the style of an amphitheatre, this is a very well-designed venue with good legroom, comfortable seats and no truly restricted views. 

There is an excellent elevated rake between each row to avoid heads in the way, and even the far sides of each section tend to have an unobstructed view - although that may change depending on the set design for each show. The stage itself is quite low, so theatregoers don’t have to look up as much as they might at older West End houses. Seats right at the back of the Stalls can feel a bit distant, but are nicely elevated and unaffected by any overhang from the Circle. 

Upstairs, the Circle is very large, and its one downside is distance: the back rows and the far sides offer less detail and immersion, but our users usually praise the view itself. 

Tips from SeatPlan Members

  • TM89, who is 6’3”, thinks the legroom in the Circle is “lovely, especially for my long legs” (Circle F19)
  • Ianwarde in Circle F82 says there is no proscenium arch - meaning no “frame” blocking either side of the stage
  • Stalls side sections are raised, with the inside “aisle” actually being a wall, says charliet10 in Stalls F8

Updated April 2026 by Alice (SeatPlan Team Member)

Good value seats

The National Theatre offers an excellent Entry Pass scheme for under 25's, allowing tickets to be bought at £5. Seats bought on this scheme are usually located towards the front and offer sensational views of the stage. Alternatively, sit in the rear or at the far sides of the Stalls for a completely unobstructed view of the stage, which may only be at a slight angle.

Premium seats

The best seats in the theatre are located in the centre of the Stalls, facing the stage head-on. Sit towards the front of the Stalls to feel entirely immersed in the action, or towards the rear for a more panoramic view of the large stage. Seats are similarly priced due to great views throughout.

Recent Audience Seat View Photos

Circle A68 Verified

National Theatre - Olivier Circle A68 view from seat photo
View
Comfort
Legroom
What a fabulous theatre! Pig ugly on the outside, talk about brutalist but inside the seats have an amazing rake and are comf... More
War Horse
Saw War Horse on 29 July 2026

Circle G67 Verified

National Theatre - Olivier Circle G67 view from seat photo
View
Comfort
Legroom
I chose this seat because of the review I read when booking. Despite this, I'm really surprised at how comfortable the seat w... More
War Horse
Saw War Horse on 25 July 2026

Stalls H1

National Theatre - Olivier Stalls H1 view from seat photo
View
Comfort
Legroom
Seat is off to one side, but you can’t complain as the view is great. When the action shifts to this side, you are not far aw... More
War Horse
Saw War Horse on 24 July 2026
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