The Old Vic Seating Plan

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Opening in 1818, the theatre was a beacon of opulence and style; luckily, good renovation work has retained the Old Vic Theatre’s character and grand interior. The theatre seats 1,070 people split over three levels: the stalls, dress circle and Lilian Baylis Circle. The auditorium was designed as a giant semi-circle; consequently, there are lots seats that offer side-on views to the stage. There are also a number of pillars in the auditorium that can cause viewing obstruction. Always check with the theatre before you book your tickets.

Stalls
The stalls section is wide and deep and exists as one large section. The stage can feel rather high, so it may be worth sitting a few rows back to gain a better view. The balcony overhang does not begin to affect seats until the final rows, meaning that many seats offer a clearer view. Towards the middle of the section, rows are particularly wide and may fall outside the proscenium, therefore providing a view across the stage rather than directly looking at it.

Dress Circle
The dress circle has a deep curve, with seats at the end of each row wrapping around the stalls towards the stage. These seats face across the auditorium, although it is possible to angle yourself to see the stage directly. No safety rails obstruct views, but towards the rear of the section they are present to lean against. The better seats can be found in the central section of the dress circle.

Lillian Baylis Circle
The Lillian Baylis Circle is the highest level of the theatre and looks down directly on the action. Seats along the side of the circle look across the stage but do provide a bargain for concession tickets.