STALLS
The Circle overhangs the stalls but does not affect the view from any seat.
The stalls comprise four rows of benches surrounding a large square stage on
three sides.
The seats are raked and so close to the stage that the atmosphere created is
incredibly intimate. Every seat has a good view of the stage.
Prices are now differentiated only according whether you are in a front or
side block - and at previews both blocks are the same price! Those seated in a side block nearest the back of the playing area will see a rear
view of the actors most of the time, so the monkey advises selecting seats as
close to the "centre block" end as possible, as you will pay the same wherever
you sit in the block.
Centrally, a reader remarks,
"C20: Great seat and could see everything perfectly, very different
atmosphere than sitting in the Circle."
To the side, reader Vicki says,
"I sat in B41 in the stalls where there was ample leg-room and the padded bench was surprisingly comfortable."
Another reader comments,
"We had side stall seats A 37 and 38, and a great view of the actor in the last
scene only about 6ft away. If I could only get the side stall seats again I
would go a few more rows back, so it would be a bit more eye level to the
actors, rather than getting a view of them just above the knee when they are
close."
Another reader says,
"A5 : because the Donmar stage is below the stall's audience's knees the
actors are really just performing to the stalls not to the theatre space
as a whole. From now on it's stalls or nothing at the Donmar for me. The
actors never looked up when I was in the circle, but then the theatre
critics probably all sat in the stalls anyway."
Instead of seats down the sides in the stalls, consider taking row B in the
side circle instead. The aerial perspective compensates better for the side view
in the monkey's opinion.
Since the seats are benches, only a number stuck on the edge of the bench
designates your bit of seat. Arrive a half-hour before the performance to stake
your portion out. The benches are fairly short and this eliminates the need to
publicly admit your broadness of beam by asking fellow members to move up and
make room. Theatremonkey finds in any case even if you do have to ask, you will
be ignored or at best find only someone five seats away will move a millimetre -
no real help. Alas appealing to the ushers is your only recourse in this
situation.
Reader KJ Hailes provides the illustrative detail,
"The theatre stresses me out because it's all bench seating.
I tend to adopt the attitude that everyone will muck in and shuffle along until
we all find a happy medium and we're all comfortable but it doesn't work like
that in these theatres. All of a sudden people become selfish. They desperately
cling on to their piece of the bench until their fingertips bleed.
The ironic thing is, I arrived first and worked out which part of the bench was
mine and claimed it. But when everyone else arrived - we all kinda squeezed up -
and I lost ground. Then I looked around and it seemed like everyone else was
sitting comfortably with their legs stretched out and their arms by their side
and I was the only one like a sardine in a tin. Grrrrrrrrr."
Wheelchairs can replace Stalls seat D31, a fair view and value in
Theatremonkey's opinion, better than the space in the Dress Circle. See notes.
Legroom is cramped throughout the stalls, best in row B (centre block) A
(side block) and seats B 8, 13, 29, 41 C 9, 11, 30 and D 10.
DRESS CIRCLE
called the CIRCLE in this theatre.
A thick bar runs around the front of this circle, which like the stalls,
surrounds the stage on three sides. This bar is treble height at the corners
affecting the view from row A seats 12,14,33 and 35. A further bar runs
across row B, but does not affect the view significantly.
Seats in rows A and B are benches, and the same rules on
arriving early apply. The rake is good, and this monkey prefers row B to row A
as the bar on the front of the circle is less annoying.
A reader comments,
"A9 and 10 circle on the side but a
pretty decent view and no real problems space-wise. In fact they were
the most comfortable bench seats I have ever sat on in a theatre."
Reader HB adds,
"A 14 and 15. The seats offered good value for the £22 paid but the view
is restricted when the cast are at the front of the stage."
Another says,
"Circle A38 and 39. Apart from the actors' bow at the end we never saw
the actors' faces. Second time I sat in the stalls, it was like seeing a
different play."
to which another reader adds,
"A44: Good view in general but the bar is so annoying! Much prefer Row B
where (for some reason) you can see things a lot better."
Regular theatremonkey seat reporting reader Mark says,
"B5: Great seat and what a lovely venue. You miss little bits of the
action but then in a space like this every seat does."
A reader says,
"We had seats B23 and B24 in the circle,
plenty of leg room, the back rest was too
upright for me, we was last to be seated
and the people on each side had left enough room.
A good view of the stage, apart from the front end
was blocked by the bar that you mention. but, there
was not much happening there, so it did not spoil the
play I saw.
I would recommend the Domar to anybody that would
like to see their favourite actor close up.
A very nice intimate theatre!"
Centre block is best in the circle. Take stalls Row A centre block
first though, followed by circle centre block,
then circle sides or Stalls rows B to D (if legroom is not an issue), and then
stalls sides. Circle side block row B is now very good value at bottom price,
feels the monkey.
Reader David Hurrell agrees,
"Row B (I had B43) is fine."
As a day seat, another reader says,
"B45 (paid £15). Note this is the furthest seat on the
edge, but I didn't feel I missed out. At one or two times through the
play my ears kind of zoned in on a slightly annoying buzzing noise
coming from my left, sounded like some sort of air cooler but could
only really hear it in the very quiet parts. If you have a bizarre
sense of hearing I can imagine it becoming quite annoying. It didn't
really bother me though."
Probably a lighting thing, thinks the monkey... having noticed
similar things before in other venues...
A wheelchair can also be given space in the Dress Circle, but the view is not
good, so choose stalls C31 instead. See notes.
Row C is located on the sides of the circle behind rows A and B. It is a
bench, but some sadist has screwed it half way up a wall and put a wall in front
of the row to lean on. Gymnastics are involved to get onto and stay on the
bench, and the row is so narrow that you get to know fellow members of the
audience very well while clambering to your seat. At the same price as row
B in front of it...well, any sane monkey knows which to choose first if
possible!
Amusingly, the bench is half a
person space too short, so hope for slim companions. Reader Alison Classe says:
"Incidentally, grateful thanks to the Monkey for his ever-reliable seating
advice. After reading here that the bench on which I'd booked five seats was
half a seat short, I was able to get an extra place at the last minute.
Otherwise we'd have had to form a human pyramid, which would have been even
more distracting."
Notwithstanding these
comments the view is very good and offers exceptional value for money.
Theatremonkey notes, however that some esteemed members of the silverhaired
community do sometimes have real problems sitting here.
Brian McKinney, former publisher of Goodshow, the now sadly closed American Theatre Ticket Agency
notes, "I've been uncomfortable in B, and bothered by the bar you mention in A, but
C is the absolute worst." Following a return visit, he reflects, "Note to self: Never accept
another balcony seat at the Donmar. Whoever designed those seats, which
all pitch slightly forward, was not on speaking terms with whoever
planned the human body".
Legroom is adequate throughout the circle, best in row B and, because of the
fun design, row C, where six-foot persons could comfortably stand if they
wished.
Notes
Total 252 seats. Some standing places also sold at box office discretion.
Air-cooled auditorium. Not as effective as proper air conditioning, so be
prepared for a hot and uncomfortable time in the height of summer, alas. To
minimise the effects, seating in the front stalls is normally coolest as heat
rises - and is also trapped in Circle overhangs. Just a bit of advice from
someone in the theatre industry who has a grasp of physics...
Induction loop system. Signed performances regularly, occasional audio
described performances. Guide dogs welcome in auditorium or dog sitter
available. Wheelchairs have level access is through the shopping mall,
near a store called Quicksilver. The mall closes at 6.30 p.m. Users should pick a matinee or
pre arrange the access to be opened if they want to leave after the evening show. Failing that,
a ramp offers access to the narrow foyer corridor, with a lift to all levels. The adapted
toilet is in the circle when the most used adapted seat / wheelchair space is in the
stalls! www.artslineonline.com
has comprehensive details. A "venue access guide" from the team who created book
"Theatremonkey,
A Guide to London's West End," is available to download in PDF format
by clicking here.
No food except confectionery and Ice Cream.
Two bars, Stalls and Circle.
Five toilets. Stalls 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles; Circle 1 gents 1
cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles, 1 disabled unisex.
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