Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Most recent seat reviews
11 February 2024
Don’t get a seat in the pit with a view at right angles to the stage unless you want to hobble out of the theatre in pain. This was the most physically painful theatre experience I’ve ever endured. The legroom is laughable even by London standards and frankly £40 to sit on a bench with no back to lean on except the knees of the person behind you is robbery. Just because people 400 years ago didn’t have the wits to design comfortable theatres doesn’t mean audiences in the 21st century should be tortured in the same way. The last fifteen minutes of the first half were a blur because I was in so much discomfort from the lack of leg room. And I’m only 5’9”. I literally limped home and had to take pain killers and anti inflammatories for my knees, neck and shoulder. I will never go to that theatre again. It is a disgrace.
Nick
16 April 2023
This is a great theatre, a real experience. We sat in row B in the lower gallery which, of course, had no back support. We had a brilliant view, but if you have any kind of back problem, choose row C which does have support, which after an almost three hour performance was needed.
Scarlet
15 April 2023
I booked standing by mistake and couldn't see anything apart from people's heads in front of me. The 2nd part we were sitting at the front so it was alot better and generally enjoyed the 2nd part alot more.
Emma Domingo
6 April 2023
For devotees of the front row seat, front row at the side of the stage in the indoor playhouse is magic
Linda
2 April 2023
Kate
26 March 2023
Andrew
20 March 2023
don't use from the box office
19 March 2023
I like to be able to rest my back against a back rest so was quite uncomfortable. We've been before but my wife wouldn't come with me because of the seating so I went with a friend. He was quite uncomfortable!
Pete
13 March 2023
Great seats - love the pit
Vivien
12 March 2023
Great location, terrible comfort. In between performances these seats could be used productively by law enforcement as torture devices.
Rich
12 March 2023
Standing restricted view so can only be so good
Jay
6 March 2023
As expected! Need to go prepared as suggested by the Globe. Moving theatre’s helped as needed to stretch our legs.
stwoody912@yahoo.co.uk
6 March 2023
Not comfortable but the original
Barbara
27 February 2023
We stood in the gods and would happily do so again.
DWN
26 February 2023
The most uncomfortable seating I’ve ever encountered
Fly
25 February 2023
Great seats! I felt part of the action
Nix Newman
20 February 2023
Jonathan Elliott
13 February 2023
No ideas as it was cancelled
Brenda James
1 February 2023
Really good seats with a decent view of most of the stage. A little bit to the bottom left was out of view and if you are vertically challenged the seats are a little high but the rail in front is very useful for perching and leaning forward without the vertigo feeling you sometimes get in other theatres.
Mary
30 January 2023
Great atmosphere the closeness of the audience to the stage it really gave a feeling to the whole show.
Matt.
25 January 2023
My standing "seat" was bloody awful and very squashed but knew I would have a seat in the 2nd Act. Maybe that was why I enjoyed it more. But the first act meant I couldn't see the action just below, stage left. I can't complain for £6 but wasnt sure how much view would be obstructed.
Alan G.
11 January 2023
Lindsay
10 January 2023
The theatre is a lot smaller and more intimate than pictures portray but it was good for atmosphere. I was sat in the Pit area in the final row. Although I was sat extremely close to other people (think school assemblies), it did not hinder the view or enjoyment of the show. However, there wasn't much space for coats and bags. There was a ledge attached to the back of my row which I assumed to be for personal items but unfortunately that made the seat smaller and a little less comfortable than I would have liked. Again though, it didn't hinder the way I enjoyed the show.
Farah
10 January 2023
The view was excellent (lower gallery, door 2, row A). Unfortunately, i'd injured my back the night before and the back rest was nonexistent... But I am only to blame for this.
Karim S
6 January 2023
We had great seats in the lower gallery-a direct sight line to the stage. However all the seats looked good, padded and more comfortable than the bare seats in the main theatre.
Glenn Henrich
4 January 2023
You will be craning your neck a bit at the front, and if you are or are next to a wider individual you may find it's a bit squishy and/or will hurt your butt a bit by the end of a long show.
Lara H
19 December 2022
Juliet
17 December 2022
Bill
16 December 2022
Elena
10 December 2022
My partner had a seat from the start but the begin with I stood behind because I always watch Shakespeare standing at the Globe. But we were given better seats in the second half due to a fainting spell
Charlotte
9 December 2022
Mary wales
25 November 2022
I was standing and it was great - what a fantastic view - best £6 spent ever
Ash Hunter
16 November 2022
Good view - fine
Andrea
20 January 2020
Dave Maughan
9 January 2020
A bit cramped (front row of Pit)
Old Albert
9 December 2019
Fine, Sometimes the actors could have addressed us sitting in the upper gallery a bit more.
martin lange
3 March 2019
No-back seating for most, problematic for those with lower-back issues. Try the back rows of each section, which do have something to lean against.
R. Hazen
27 January 2019
It was not mentioned anywhere on the confirmation email I received from the box office that the seats are standing with a restricted view as well (I can forward the email if requested). Not only could we not be standing for a long time, but also we could not see anything that was happening on the right half of the stage. Hence, we couldn't enjoy it and decided to leave. Avoid rows C and D on the upper gallery.
Lina