I go to the theatre a lot (45 times this year alone, and it’s only August). Over the years, I’ve visited every theatre in the West End, seeing not just the newest productions, but also revisiting old favourites in the same venues. However, I rarely pick the same seat twice.

I’ve watched Matilda the Musical, Wicked, Back to the Future the Musical, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical from a variety of vantage points. The difference in price, and in experience, has always fascinated me. Within the last six months, I’ve tried both “restricted view” seats and others without that label. Sometimes, I’ve agreed with the classification. Sometimes, I haven’t.

That left me wondering: What really qualifies as a restricted view seat, and how can you make sure you get the best value for your ticket?

What does “Restricted View” mean at the theatre?

A restricted view seat is one where part of the stage is blocked from sight. This could be due to physical obstructions like pillars, speakers, or safety rails, or even the stage design itself. These seats are often cheaper, but you might miss key moments of the performance.

Different theatres have their own criteria for deciding which seats carry the label. Many venues now offer interactive seating charts, letting you preview the view before you buy. Websites like LondonTheatreDirect and SeatPlan even integrate these tools into the booking process, so you can see exactly where you’ll be sitting instead of relying on a vague seat number.

My experiences: From the Stalls to the Dress Circle

Personally, I prefer stalls seats. I like being close to the action, where you can feel the energy from the stage. If I’m ever unsure about a seat, I’ll call the box office, staff are usually happy to share insider advice.

At the Prince Edward Theatre (currently showing MJ the Musical), I saw Miss Saigon three times in one year: from the third row centre stalls (excellent), from the very back of the right stalls (still good), and from the far-left middle stalls, not so good. That last one wasn’t sold as a restricted view, but I couldn’t see anything happening at the top of stage right, such as when John is on the phone to Chris. Frustrating, to say the least. However, I sat in the extreme left hand side of the stalls this year to see MJ, and I could see everything perfectly clearly. The show’s set and choreography can impact your viewing experience as much as a pillar. 

My restricted view ticket for Phantom of the Opera playing at His Majesty’s Theatre told a different story. I sat in the front of the dress circle, far right, and missed nothing. I’d happily sit there again.