Royal Festival Hall Southbank ENB

[cavycapers]

Has anybody been to the Royal Festival Hall on the South bank? I am booking for the ENB's Romeo and Juliet next August, and would like to know what the Side Stalls and the boxes are like. Does anyone know, please, can you see all the stage?

Edited December 4, 2016 by cavycapers

[Jan McNulty]

I've never sat in the boxes but would suspect they would have a semi-restricted view.

 

I think the side stalls should be fine but it may depend on the set.

 

When ENB used to have a couple of weeks in the summer at RFH I used to sit in the stalls but never too far forward because the orchestra is in front of the stage.  Unless things have changed since the refurbishment my preferred area was stalls no further forward than row G and no further back than row M (I like sitting at the front).

[cavycapers]

Thanks, Janet, yes, I like to be near the front too.

[lollylamb1]

I was just there this afternoon and all the seats seem to have a good view, I am not sure if it changes with a ballet, but it is very open, with no obstructions.

[alison]

I seem to remember a bit of viewing restriction towards the very sides of the rear front stalls when the RB were there, but I usually sit in the Balcony for ballet, so can't be of much help.

[RuthE]

Side stalls (what used to be called the Annexes) have a not dissimilar angle on the concert platform to the Balcony Boxes at the ROH, and I would have thought the view would be quite significantly restricted from there.  I like to sit there for orchestral concerts but would avoid for ballet.

[alison]

Oh sneaky.  So they've changed the name, which will confuse people.  They are *not* stalls, and will be raised quite a bit above (front) stalls seats.

[Jan McNulty]

Side stalls (what used to be called the Annexes) have a not dissimilar angle on the concert platform to the Balcony Boxes at the ROH, and I would have thought the view would be quite significantly restricted from there.  I like to sit there for orchestral concerts but would avoid for ballet.

 

 

Thanks for that Ruth.  I could well have made a mistake in booking if you had not mentioned it!

[RuthE]

Oh sneaky.  So they've changed the name, which will confuse people.  They are *not* stalls, and will be raised quite a bit above (front) stalls seats.

 

It's been the case for a few years now - since the last major refurb.

 

For those familiar with the ROH but not the RFH, imagine the ROH Stalls Circle sides, only with minimal if any rake, and a much deeper ledge so you are sitting much further back from having a clear view on the stage.

 

If I sit there for a an orchestral concert I do not expect to have a view of anything closer to me than the first desk of strings on the side between me and the conductor.

Edited December 5, 2016 by RuthE

[cavycapers]

Thank you all for your advice