Good meal, and good seats (A24 and A25, front row of Dress Circle.) Being on the front row, we were able to look down in the pit and thank the musicians in person at the end - WOW were they good and deserve appreciation! While its largely true of all the big venues, its especially true of the Princess: those back rows of the grand circle (the top level) are ludicrously high, and watching a show from them feels like peering at an ant colony from a helicopter. For someone who normally favours the more modern musical like myself, "The Phantom of the Opera" certainly took me by surprise. We sat in the Stalls in row D, seats 9 and 10. Loved it. Christina. I was totally "involved" whilst watching this one, feeling exhilarated and frightened, then sentimental and even a little tearful at the end!! So it is no surprise to me he has gone from strength to strength in his career, and the role of Phantom is surely one of the most demanding on any singer. E-Book Overview. HISTORY OF THE STAGE. It would seem this row has been made smaller due to the premium seats in front of it, but having the asile seat meant I could stretch my legs out fully was the only saving grace. Phantom will always be a bit special to me as this was the first musical I ever saw in London - I can still remember being blown away by the experience and it made me catch the musical bug - I've seen Phantom at least 5 times from both stalls and dress circle but hadn't seen it in London for a few years (but had seen it in New York when I was on honeymoon). Come on, recast already!! However, the Grand Circle does give you good views of the Phantom up to his tricks which is quite good fun to see. Close enough to see the actors expressions and costume details but not to see any secrets behind the special effects. The story is fiction about a masked musical genius living in the catacombs of the Paris Opera! I don't think there is anything negative I can say about these seats, except that they are in the middle of the row and so you have to constantly stand up to let people pass. I left feeling cheated. Sarah Ferguson has said Queen Elizabeth II was her 'total idol' - and admitted that when her former mother-in-law's corgis 'bark at nothing', she believes it's because the late monarch 'is passing . Get your tickets soon (although I think as it's been on so long, it won't be ending anytime soon and I can see why). A small queue formed behind us from about 9.30am, and at 10am, the doors opened and we were first to the box office window. He acted, sang and performed to utter perfection and left us in tears! I loved the chandelier, although it was literally centimetres above our heads, some lady in the audience screamed and many of the audience gasped as it was unexpected. 1st floor is mostly seating and is the upper level. Legroom was adequate for two 5' 10" people, one with a larger than average bottom (!) This is the fourth time I have seen Theatremonkey's favourite show! It's not the greatest score in the world (that title belongs to 'Les Misrables'), but it is successful in so much as it does all that it is designed to do. Nat Keyskeys2494@yahoo.com I was tempted to have a word with the sound desk operator on the way out and tell him to turn Carlotta's mic up, there are lots of times when her mouth moves and not sound can be heard. Al Queenanalqueenan@yahoo.com. Most memorable. __________________________________________. Cannot see the top level of the stage and the top level of the set. We both had to agree though that Earl Carpenter, as the Phantom, was superb, he gave so much to his performance in the final scenes that we were both quite moved and I have never before been able to feel for this character. It was amazing seeing the costumes and actors close up and hearing the musical nuances from the orchestra which ordinarily you probably wouldn't hear. I was also impressed with the leg room, I'm 6 foot and it was ample. They were dead centre, we had not a single obstruction and could see every aspect of the production perfectly. l think this is a great performance, I would have to disagree with the monkey saying it was ''lame.'' I did enjoy the first half more than the second - I found a couple of the scenes in the second half overly long really. I adored Carlotta. Restricted View Seats Often, the view isnt as bad as it sounds like on paper, and so buying these seats are very much worth it. It is Lloyd Webber's triumph and looks set to remain that way for a very long time. Its an iconic role that demands much of its performer, far too much it seems for Mr McCann. Thoroughly enjoyed it. We simply want to catch JOJ as Phantom before the imminent arrival of our baby, as we will be unable to do much theatre afterwards.) To top all of this I had to look left towards the stage and needless to say I ended up with shoulder/neck ache!! Here are the hottest shows in Melbourne this month. They make you feel like an interloper, or something tacked on at the last minute. Killian Donnelly as Raul was very endearing - he has a nice voice and his acting was wonderful (and what a lovely chap he is too in real life! Stall tickets on Ticketmaster for Jersey Boys, for example, range from between 45.70 and 91.40, with most seats in this section priced at around 67.20. These seats are very good. She had the voice of a goddess. There are still rumours of dead spots around Hamer Hall, where the music is dulled by acoustic blackspots, but we think this is largely apocryphal. Faris. I feel bad for the people I'd seen queuing who were in worse seats further back! 020 3925 2998. Reasons for this can vary from the area above the stage being obscured by the overhang from the dress circle, to a safety rail blocking your eye line. Ben Lewis was good, but perhaps not the strongest Phantom I've caught - but certainly one of the better ones. The music was fantastic, and the singing was mind blowing. Make the most of the situation and dont sweat the small stuff! It only emphasis's the passion! Part of me was hoping for amazing music, awe-inspiring sets and an emotional rollercoaster of a story. The Johnson Family This utterly detracted from the action unfolding in front of us as we were unable to focus or immerse ourselves in the performance due to the distraction of our pain. Very enjoyable, polished 5 star performance. Emma I've seen the show a handful of times in town and on tour, but never before have I experienced such a soulless performance by such a tired-looking cast. I was sat in seat 21 of row A of the grand (upper) circle, and have to disagree with Theatre Monkey's comments about there being a bar intruding on the view here. The score was unimaginative and bland, the sets looked dated and the 'special effects' were clunky and distracting. We would have preferred to think of him walking round in swirling mist in his black suit, and living in the theatre!!! A big compliment however for Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta, she was very very good. The Phantom's deformity can be clearly seen, and you see the performers' expressions. ____________________________. USE "BACK" BUTTON TO RETURN. Bromley Theatremonkey can only update those in the dress circle and balcony, as only these have retained the original aisles. What Im not fine with is the kind of audience it attracts. The only seats that are really bad in the Sumner are any in the first row, and the second arent much better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to us using cookies in accordance with our. Her Majesty's Theatre London: restricted view seating - See 1,200 traveler reviews, 450 candid photos, and great deals for London, UK, at Tripadvisor. We were in Row B, which is the first row, I am only 5' 2" and my knees were crushed against a low black wall between me and the orchestra, sit further back for a much better view. They afford some brief, but generally pleasant, glimpses of his habits and career; and in a letter, in which Pliny makes application on behalf of his friend to the emperor Trajan, for a mark of favour, he speaks of him as "a most . 'Wishing you were somehow here again' in the grave is a richly powerful song, and the lead roles had voices which were shattering. The cast is completed by Hollie Aires, Connor Carson, Corina Clark, Michelle Cornelius, Edward Court, Lily De-La-Haye, Hywel Dowsell, Serina Faull, James Gant, Eilish Harmon-Beglan, Emma Harris, Yukina Hasebe, Thomas Holdsworth, Olivia Holland-Rose, Jacob Hughes, Grace Hume, James Hume, Tim Morgan, Michael Robert-Lowe, Eve Shanu-Wilson, Tim Southgate, Anouk Van Laake, Jasmine Wallis, Ralph Watts, Skye Weiss, Simon Whitaker, Lizzie Wofford and Andrew York. The best known songs are still riveting, my favourite is Music of the Night , very moving and you could have heard a pin drop in the theatre. It is a central position so good from that point of view and I would say it is probably one of the best places to get a good view of the chandelier going up and going down! read more. Unfortunately, my camera had no battery and was charging at home so I'm definitely going back to get photos, which they very kindly pose for. You can even enjoy a show from the front of thegrand circle, but be prepared to abseil down to them from a great height. And, given the new awareness of safe spaces, its generally not too confronting to sit in the front row. Although you are blocked 15% of the stage, the play is so powerful that you can work around it. Messrs Colin and Asa Mccarthy-Burton ____________________, McCann as Phantom = Phenomenal! However, having read a couple of scathing reviews (the Theatremonkey Opinion included), the more rational part of me was expecting a load of over-sentimentalized nonsense. You won't see me at those kind of things. Some people have thought that the show dragged but I think that is par for the course with musicals when they are a couple of hours long, and actually I was eager for the second half to start as I was really enjoying the performance. More Cuban dance music here: https://youtu.be/awTKVyyHbeUI hope you enjoy my other playlists. Come on Phantom, people need a reason not to pull the plug. His Majesty's Theatre. The latecomers were held back our side, and then began lots of standing by Ushers in the middle of the aisle waiting to place the theatregoers. It's typical that much of the show seemed to take place here - with very little on the alternative side of the stage - so, with that in mind I highly recommend sitting to the right hand side of the theatre if choosing. I was aware my Husband was uncomfortable all night and it was a pleasure when it was all over. _____________________, I went to see the show in March 2009 and we sat in row C of the stalls, seats C11, C12, and C13. My biggest gripe is that the great singing that one would have every right to expect from an "opera-based" show is virtually nonexistent. P.S. There are some poles in the way and as has been said below the view can be blocked by the balcony above. Maybe would have been better volume-wise further back. Cant wait to go and see it again! Now for someone like me who has seen the show before row M is fine if going for the first time it's about 4 rows too far back for the view of the chandelier rising and falling. ___________________. I always avoid the restricted areas just in case. I saw"Phantom" on the 31st of May 2003 for the second time. Chris Anyway, yes I loved it. None of them deserved to have such wonderful roles in such a wonderful musical. Add a reply. It feels like you are peering through a letterbox, and should be avoided. ___________________________, To all concerned with the production and performance of this show. - and would recommend anyone to see it The only point from Theatre Monkey's review that I do agree with is that Christine should definitely have got the Phantom!! It sits low, so you don't feel you are peering down on a show, and it is relatively close to the stage. I phoned the See Tickets box office number the day before I went (as the theatre does not have its own telephone line) to check that you could purchase day seats like other theatres in London. I absolutely loved it. __________________________, We saw the show for the first time on Saturday 7th October 2006. Even though I think you can tell that the show is now 20+ years old from a number of the effects, it still worked; but after hearing so many chandelier stories I must admit to feeling a little disappointed when the thing "crashed" down - Hmmmmm. I had possibly the worst seats in the house, due to late booking. ), after reading a few reviews about 'Raoul' being a bit drippy in a few performances I was expecting to hate whoever played him but was more than pleasantly surprised when Simon Bailey appeared. if you are in Royal Circle (where I was) you have to choose a seat to stage right because we were unable to see many scenes that occurred in stage left without leaning well forward. It depends so much on the show. 8 Grand Circle K8 reviews at the Her Majesty's Theatre (His Majesty's Theatre) General 3.5/5 View 3/5 Comfort 1/5 Legroom 4.5/5 Slightly restricted view 50% Avoid if you're short 50% based on 2 reviews Average seat price * min max 58.75 48.8 43.75 *based on 16 bookings made through various agents' websites. For the best experience, theres nothing like the centre of the stalls. After nearly 8,200 performances in the same theatre, you would think the sound would be good. It sits low, so you dont feel you are peering down on a show, and it is relatively close to the stage. I was worried about the legroom but needn't have been. It was great being so up close and personal to the actors and catching their eye on several occasions ;). The small stuff you enjoy my other playlists are blocked 15 % of the production and of. 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