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PEACOCK THEATRE |
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This venue runs a mixed programme of concerts and other events.
www.sadlerswells.com
is their website, with the latest details.
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Theatremonkey Opinion: |
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Not available.
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Important: Some reviews below can contain "spoilers" - please don't read if this
bothers you!
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The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and
that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling. Varies by event, see
www.sadlerswells.com
for details.
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Theatre Box Office:
www.sadlerswells.com
- the owners' site,
provide the service for this theatre.
This theatre now allows online seat selection,
allowing customers to select their seats directly from an online chart of all
available. A wonderful device, feels the monkey.Booking fees per ticket for online bookings:
£1.75 per transaction is charged, cheaper than by telephone, plus you can pick your own seats from the chart there... Other Online Choices (with
S.T.A.R. genuine ticket
agencies):
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
offer seats for many events, with a per booking (not per ticket) handling charge.
Independent S.T.A.R. ticket agencies
may offer an alternative choice of seats for all productions.
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Box Office Information: |
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Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer
different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be
available click here. |
Theatre Box Office:
Telephone: 0844
412 4322
( 020 7863 8222 if you cannot
use the 0870 number)
Operated by the theatre owner on behalf of their
own venue.Booking fees per ticket for telephone bookings:
A £2.50 per
transaction, not per ticket, booking fee is added to all sales. A trifle heavy. Visit the box office
personally or join the "Friends Of Sadler's Wells" (details from the
box office number above) to avoid the fees altogether, and booking online is
also cheaper. For personal callers or by post: Portugal Street,
London. WC2A 2HT
No booking fee for personal callers.
Special Access Needs Customers:
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled
theatregoers can book their seats on 0844 412 4322 or 020 7863 8222 and enquire about
concessionary prices that may be available to them.
The wheelchair users line connects
directly to the theatre box office in London.
See Notes.
www.sadlerswells.com is the
official theatre website. |
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Theatre Seat Opinions: |
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Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view /
location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to
reflect this difference. This theatre is partly underground with a long walk downstairs to the stalls.
Those allergic to stairs should try the Dress Circle. Those who cannot use
stairs are forced to use the Dress Circle. Not great.
The theatre website at
www.sadlerswells.com
has a "virtual tour" of the auditorium. Select "Your Visit" from the front page
menu on the right, then "360 degree view" option from the next menu.
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STALLS
Layout:
The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at about row N.
The stalls are divided into a central and two side blocks by aisles.
The side stalls blocks also have row H replaced by an aisle.
The rake
(sloped floor to help see
over rows in front) is a slope from A to O, then stepped from row P back.
Legroom:
Adequate in all seats.
Side blocks row J seats 1 to 7 and 23 to 29 (J23 "quite luxurious"
for one 6ft reader") on a cross aisle, plus row C 1, 2, and 26, row D 1
and 29 row E seat 1, and row F seat 31 have nothing in front. Best
legroom in the house.
Choosing Seats in General:
The central block offers clear views from all seats.
In the side blocks, avoid the first four seats in all rows as these are
outside the proscenium with a poor viewing angle. If all seats are the
same prices, insist on the central block first.
Rows A to D are too close to the high stage to minimise the disruption
caused by the strange viewing angle. Rows A to C are often sold at
second price though. When they are, the discount makes them a lot more
attractive.
Row G is prime, then H, J, F and E.
The rake is really noticeable at around row P, giving a good view
over the seats in front and thus increasing their value for money. This
is often at top price though - you can sit further forward for the same
money.
Row S is often the first available below top price, so take this row
first at lower price, then go back alphabetically.
General Hazard Notes:
A sound desk can replace row Z seats 5 to 8 and rows ZA and ZB
6 to 10, making Y 18 to 24 a "no-no" for those not wishing to be
disturbed by extraneous noise. This applies for "The Snowman" each
Christmas season.
Changes for the current production:
None.
Reader Comments:
"C7: "Shoes" (February 2011). I paid £35 through the GILT ticket offer (runs
January to March each year). I'm 6ft tall and felt that I had a reasonable
level of legroom, and especially with it being an aisle seat, I could also
stretch my right leg out. I was able to see the entire stage and felt only a
little neck ache from the close proximity of the stage and having to look
up. Overall, very good seats."
"F28: "Shoes" (February 2011). The sound was really dodgy, too overpowering
and not well mixed - but the show on stage more than made up for it!"
“Row G: We had very good seats in the centre block in row G. I also note
that the circle overhang doesn’t seem to impinge on the view of the top of
the stage except possibly in the last couple of rows."
Reader Sam comments:
"G18: (Sam). Excellent in every department. There is not much to add really.
Side Stalls, rows E to G, seats 24 (and maybe maybe 25 as well), if can be
obtained for cheaper price than the centre stalls, I would elevate to
"Green", because I think they offer good view. With a review in my mind, I
went during the intermission to the back of the stalls. Of course there was
no action, but they looked to me as good seats, and it didn't feel far at
all. So, I think people on tight budget should go for those seats without
fear of losing out. So, in a nutshell, I agree with the theatremonkey
assessment."
"G24 and 25: In the front side block, in the second price bracket, whereas
G23 and the centre block were full-price. View of the stage was excellent
and unobscured, and I'd reaffirm reader Sam's view that these seats (and
probably F24 and 25, and F and G 7 and 8 too) should definitely be
considered 'green' based on value for money assuming they are still in that
second price bracket."
"J23 and 24: "The Merchants Of Bollywood" (June 2011). These seats were at
the inside of the side block with a good view of the entire stage. While not
completely central this was not an issue and for this particular show
(dance) it was preferable to be close to the stage. For a play it might have
been preferable to be slightly more central and possibly further back.
However for those (like me) who like their legroom, this could be more than
outweighed by the exceptional legroom in the side blocks of row J – quite
luxurious."
"K23: "Tango Fire" (February 2013). On the inner end of the side block,
stage right. It had only one row in front of it before the cross aisle
and was offset from that row enough so as to give a perfectly clear view
of the stage. Despite not being in a the centre block, I didn't feel too
side-on to the action. Leg room was perfectly fine for someone of
average height with a decent overall rake, although the stage is not
particularly high. There was a good feeling of space being so close to
two aisles."
"P23 and 24: There is a good rake in the stalls but even better in row P as
the floor then begins to go up in steps. This allows you to see clearly over
heads in front of you. Sound and comfort were also good as well. I would
happily sit here again."
DRESS CIRCLE
Layout:
This is at the rear of the stalls, overhanging at row N.
The circle is split into front and rear sections by an aisle running
across the front of row E.
Each section is split into a central and two side blocks by aisles.
Legroom:
Just adequate in all seats.
Choosing Seats in General:
The front section offers clear views from all seats. Being at the back
of the auditorium means these seats are far from the stage. Theatremonkey
says choose the front stalls first for the same money unless a high level
view is essential to you.
Avoid rows A to D seats 1 to 4 and 30 to 34 as these are close to the sides
of the auditorium. Choose the centre block row B first, then C, D and A
based on legroom comfort. As normal, take side block seats last if at the
same price.
The rear section again has a clear view but feels very far from the stage,
the rear stalls are preferable for the same money.
Take the centre block row F, then G, then E if bars don't bother you, and
then back.
Avoid rows E to J seats 1 to 4 ( row J 1 to 3) and 29 to 32 for being too
close to the sides of the theatre.
Wheelchair users are placed in the back row of the Left hand block (looking
from the stage). Getting to it is a hassle and the view is not great either.
General Hazard Notes:
Low bars at the ends of aisles don't affect views particularly, though A
1, 10, 11, 22, 23 and 32 may be missable for purists.
Bars also run across the wall in front of row E.
A reader notes the wide front of the circle, and that covering lights bolted
to the wall in front of row A may make it less suitable for the shortest.
Changes for the current production:
None.
Reader Comments:
None.
Dress Circle Boxes
Layout:
These are at the sides of the theatre between the stage and the front of
the Dress Circle.
Boxes AL and AR are set in front and
below BL and BR.
Boxes BL and BR seat 4, boxes AL and AR seat 3.
Legroom:
Adequate as seats are movable chairs.
Choosing Seats in General:
Choose boxes BL and BR first for the best viewing angles,
which are adequate as best from all boxes; but take rear Stalls before
boxes.
General Hazard Notes:
The view from all of them is side on.
Changes for the current production:
None.
Reader Comments:
None.
Notes
Total 1037 seats.
Air-conditioned auditorium.
Disabled facilities are limited to occasional signed and audio described
performances. Guide dogs are allowed in the theatre or can be dog sat.
Wheelchair access is via the Box Office to the back of the Dress Circle. Contact
Artsline for fuller details at
www.theatre-access.co.uk, telephone 020 7388 2227 or email
artsline@dircon.co.uk
for further information. 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 Ice cream and confectionery.
Two bars, Stalls and Dress Circle.
4 toilets, Stalls 1 gents 1 ladies; Dress Circle 1 gents 1 ladies.
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Nearest Underground Station:
Holborn - Piccadilly Line (dark blue).For mobility impaired audience members, the Society of London
Theatre provide a "photo map" - illustrated walking route to this venue from a
near landmark and also Waterloo Station (the nearest fully accessible station)
on their website
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk, via the theatre's listing page on that
site.
There are two exits from this station.
If you see, on leaving the station, a branch of McDonalds ahead of you on the
opposite side of the road then do not cross this road, just turn left and walk
to the four way crossroads. If you come to a three way cross roads, wrong way.
At the four way crossroads, do not cross any street, just turn to your left and walk
on, passing the Underground Station entrance. The street is called Kingsway.
If you leave the station and see ahead of you on the other side of the road a
glass building with a "Sainsbury" sign ahead of you do not cross to
it, just turn left as you are on Kingsway already. All together now on
Kingsway, walk straight on, passing mostly office blocks and give what you can to the
homeless who inhabit the doorways. Cross Gate Street, Twyford Place, Remnant
Street and Sardinia Street.
_____________________________ Also close to the theatre is Temple Station - Circle Line (yellow) and
District Line (green).
This is closed on Sundays and some other times, so check
before using. If it is open, then leave the station turning left. If you see the
river, wrong way!
A photographic version of this walking route is available by clicking
here.
Go up the steps and cross the road ahead of you. Keep walking straight on up
Arundel Street (the road sloping upwards ahead of you). Make sure you are
on the right hand side pavement.
At the top of Arundel Street is "The Strand" and The Aldwych",
a busy road intersection and cluster of buildings. Cross the road so that you
are on the curving street ahead of you.
Follow this street as it curves to your left. Keep going and when you come to
"Kingsway" - a busy multi-landed street, turn right into it, but do
not cross the road. A long narrow "Peacock Theatre" sign is ahead of
you attached to the side of a building. This marks Portugal Street. Turn into it
and the theatre is on the left, near the end of the street. |
Buses:
1, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 501, 505, 521, X68 all stop on Kingsway.
Walk up Portugal Street to the theatre.
Taxi:
A rank for Black taxis is at Charing Cross Station - a long distance
from the theatre. Best chance of hailing one in the street is to walk
down Portugal Street to Kingsway.
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Car Park:
Parker Street, under the New London Theatre. Exit the Car Park and stand with
your back to the main foyer of the theatre.Turn to your left, and walk straight on crossing Parker Mews and Newton
Street. At the end of Parker Street is a busy multi lane road, Kingsway. Cross
it and turn right. Walk straight on, passing mostly office blocks and give
what you can to the homeless who inhabit the doorways. Cross Twyford Place,
Remnant Street and Sardinia Street. If you come to Holborn Station, wrong way.
Turn left into the next road you come to, Portugal Street. The Peacock
Theatre is ahead on your left.
If you come to the Aldwych Theatre, too far!
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