Royal Opera House Seats Giselle

[Angela Essex]

I’m thinking of sneaking off to see Giselle on Friday while the kids are at school. I have a choice of standing in the back of the stalls circle near the light box D28, C61 - a loose seat at back of balcony, H72 or H43 amphitheater view obstructed by ledge or L71 mid right amphitheatre. Other than that it would be the slips. I’m wanting to get some cheaper seats this time as I’m saving my pennies to see Marianela in swan lake next spring. This will be the first time I’ve been to the Opera House since childhood so I’m very excited but have no idea if any of the above seats are any good - hoping some kind person will help. The roh don’t seem to have the ‘view from your seat’ pictures like they used to either. 

[alison]

How's your back?  The ends of row H amphi are reasonably okay if you can sit forward (there shouldn't be anyone directly behind you), but if you have to sit with your back against the backrest you lose over 50% of the stage.  SCS D28 - I'm not sure what the air circulation is like round there, because I haven't stood there "post"-Covid.  You need to be quite tall to be able to rest your arms on the ... armrest ... in front of you.  The row C balcony loose seats are rather a lottery: they can be good or bad depending on the people sitting on the (equally loose, but lower) seats in row B in front of you.

 

Possibly one of those posters who managed to come up with the photos last time will be able to do so again  

[Angela Essex]

14 minutes ago, alison said:

How's your back?  The ends of row H amphi are reasonably okay if you can sit forward (there shouldn't be anyone directly behind you), but if you have to sit with your back against the backrest you lose over 50% of the stage.  SCS D28 - I'm not sure what the air circulation is like round there, because I haven't stood there "post"-Covid.  You need to be quite tall to be able to rest your arms on the ... armrest ... in front of you.  The row C balcony loose seats are rather a lottery: they can be good or bad depending on the people sitting on the (equally loose, but lower) seats in row B in front of you.

 

Possibly one of those posters who managed to come up with the photos last time will be able to do so again  

Aww thank you for replying Alison that’s super helpful 😊 I’m 5’8” and my back is okay so I could lean forward and would probably be able to reach the armrest standing in stalls circle. I’ve had my Covid booster so should be ok re Covid fingers crossed. Row L in amphi is also a possibility how would you say that compares to the others? Not sure if it’s worth getting a super cheap £8 or going to £20-35 mark? Thanks again xx

Edited November 15, 2021 by Angela Essex
Wrong word used

[Meetmeatthebarre]

My pick, if you're able to stand, is SCS. I'm always blown away by how exceptional the view is for the price. My only hesitation would be that - for me at least - the most magical part of Giselle is seeing the formations in Act II from above. 

 

I am your height and I have never found the "restricted view" seats in the main amphi to be problematic; in fact, I find the price reduction a real blessing. I would just weigh up the distance from the stage vs cost - the generous discounts for these tickets more than outweigh any potential problems. I cannot recall an occasion in which the tiniest parts that may have escaped my sightline felt like the evening was marred - except one evening with a really tall patron in front (who would have obscured my view wherever I was in reality). 

 

I'm not familiar with the balcony seats in question but from recollection they are also quite a bit more expensive than the amphi?

[alison]

6 minutes ago, Meetmeatthebarre said:

I am your height and I have never found the "restricted view" seats in the main amphi to be problematic;

 

Yes, but the "H ends" have the superstructure (or rather side structure) in the way - it's not a question of being tall enough to look over heads etc.

[Angela Essex]

39 minutes ago, Meetmeatthebarre said:

My pick, if you're able to stand, is SCS. I'm always blown away by how exceptional the view is for the price. My only hesitation would be that - for me at least - the most magical part of Giselle is seeing the formations in Act II from above. 

 

I am your height and I have never found the "restricted view" seats in the main amphi to be problematic; in fact, I find the price reduction a real blessing. I would just weigh up the distance from the stage vs cost - the generous discounts for these tickets more than outweigh any potential problems. I cannot recall an occasion in which the tiniest parts that may have escaped my sightline felt like the evening was marred - except one evening with a really tall patron in front (who would have obscured my view wherever I was in reality). 

 

I'm not familiar with the balcony seats in question but from recollection they are also quite a bit more expensive than the amphi?

Aww thank you for your help 😊. The balcony seat is £35. The amphi ones are £21-28 the standing stalls circle are £8 but they’re next to the light box right in the centre so idk if the light box will be blocking my view? 

[Angela Essex]

Thanks all! I went for C61 Balcony £28. So excited 😆 

[Meetmeatthebarre]

6 hours ago, alison said:

 

Yes, but the "H ends" have the superstructure (or rather side structure) in the way - it's not a question of being tall enough to look over heads etc.

Very true - I was talking a bit more generally as someone taller and physically comfortable with a bit of seat-maneuvering. One thing I liked about the end seats in H-K (from memory) was the extra ledge on the side for coats and bags as well!

 

2 hours ago, Angela Essex said:

Thanks all! I went for C61 Balcony £28. So excited 😆 

Enjoy! It's been an incredible run from the two I've seen so far. I hadn't realised the balcony tickets were so reasonably priced - hopefully you get the best of being closer & being able to see the incredibly precise Wili formations. I found myself captivated by the corps more than the principals many times - a testament to how good the entire company have been for this revival. 

[bridiem]

10 hours ago, Angela Essex said:

Thanks all! I went for C61 Balcony £28. So excited 😆 

 

Excellent! Let us know your reactions after the performance - would be great to hear how things go for you.

[Fonty]

This may seem like a strange question, but I will ask it anyway.  How do you know that the ticket is a standing one, rather than a seat?  Does it say "Standing"?  Or do you just know from the price and the position?  Needless to say, I have never bought one of these. 

[alison]

It says "Standing" when you book the ticket.  Didn't stop some people in the Balcony being confused recently, though.

[Angela Essex]

13 hours ago, Meetmeatthebarre said:

Very true - I was talking a bit more generally as someone taller and physically comfortable with a bit of seat-maneuvering. One thing I liked about the end seats in H-K (from memory) was the extra ledge on the side for coats and bags as well!

 

Enjoy! It's been an incredible run from the two I've seen so far. I hadn't realised the balcony tickets were so reasonably priced - hopefully you get the best of being closer & being able to see the incredibly precise Wili formations. I found myself captivated by the corps more than the principals many times - a testament to how good the entire company have been for this revival. 

Thank you 🙏 I can’t wait! 

[Angela Essex]

4 hours ago, Fonty said:

This may seem like a strange question, but I will ask it anyway.  How do you know that the ticket is a standing one, rather than a seat?  Does it say "Standing"?  Or do you just know from the price and the position?  Needless to say, I have never bought one of these. 

When you click on the seat on the seat plan on the website it shows the seat no, price and a little description of the seat eg ‘standing, view obscured by ledge, loose seat’ or whatever other description pertains to that seat. For the one I chose C61 balcony it said ‘loose seat the height of a bar stool. View may be obscured by patrons in front’ so we will see what happens. Will report back after Friday. Thanks again everyone for all your help 😘

[Angela Essex]

I also booked amphi E 57 & 58 to see Marianela and Vadim in Swan Lake in March - can’t wait. I’ve never seen Swan Lake or Marianela dance before so am really looking forward to it.

[Daveyw0506]

Hello one and all, 

I am new to the Royal Opera House and have just secured tickets to see Swan Lake in March and have managed to get seat numbers P18 and P19 level G in the orchestra stalls. 
Does anyone who is a regular opera goer know if I have got good quality seats, this is a surprise for my wife and I want it to be special. 
Many Thanks

[JNC]

As an aside when are ROH getting the view from the seat function back!! 
 

I (as a sometime regular) miss them as I obviously haven’t sat everywhere, and if you’re not a regular it’s an invaluable tool. 
 

It’s odd that they have got rid of something they put a lot of time and money in doing? It is due to come back right? And why is not available now?

[Richard LH]

12 minutes ago, Daveyw0506 said:

Hello one and all, 

I am new to the Royal Opera House and have just secured tickets to see Swan Lake in March and have managed to get seat numbers P18 and P19 level G in the orchestra stalls. 
Does anyone who is a regular opera goer know if I have got good quality seats, this is a surprise for my wife and I want it to be special. 
Many Thanks

You are pretty central and two-thirds back from the front of the stalls. Good position and comfortable  but visibility  could be a bit impaired depending on your height and that of people in front of you. View attached from P19.

.

Edited November 16, 2021 by Richard LH

[Jan McNulty]

12 minutes ago, Daveyw0506 said:

Hello one and all, 

I am new to the Royal Opera House and have just secured tickets to see Swan Lake in March and have managed to get seat numbers P18 and P19 level G in the orchestra stalls. 
Does anyone who is a regular opera goer know if I have got good quality seats, this is a surprise for my wife and I want it to be special. 
Many Thanks

 

Hello Daveyw0506 and welcome to the Forum!

[Daveyw0506]

Thankyou so much Richard, I am 5 11 but my wife is only 5 5… fingers crossed. 

[cjp]

12 minutes ago, Daveyw0506 said:

Hello one and all, 

I am new to the Royal Opera House and have just secured tickets to see Swan Lake in March and have managed to get seat numbers P18 and P19 level G in the orchestra stalls. 
Does anyone who is a regular opera goer know if I have got good quality seats, this is a surprise for my wife and I want it to be special. 
Many Thanks

I think that any seats in the orchestra stalls should be good quality at the prices they are charging for Swan Lake now!  I hope your wife enjoys her lovely surprise.

[Scheherezade]

6 hours ago, Angela Essex said:

When you click on the seat on the seat plan on the website it shows the seat no, price and a little description of the seat eg ‘standing, view obscured by ledge, loose seat’ or whatever other description pertains to that seat. For the one I chose C61 balcony it said ‘loose seat the height of a bar stool. View may be obscured by patrons in front’ so we will see what happens. Will report back after Friday. Thanks again everyone for all your help 😘

 

The advantage of the loose bar stool seats over fixed seats, Angela, is, as you'd expect, that you can move and angle the seats. This can help if the people in front of you are obstructing your view, although there are no guarantees; as always, it helps if the people in front are small and do not lean forward or move about too much. And, unlike similarly-priced seats in the amphitheatre, you don't have to worry that moving your seat will obstruct the view of people behind you.

[jmhopton]

6 hours ago, JNC said:

As an aside when are ROH getting the view from the seat function back!! 
 

I (as a sometime regular) miss them as I obviously haven’t sat everywhere, and if you’re not a regular it’s an invaluable tool. 
 

It’s odd that they have got rid of something they put a lot of time and money in doing? It is due to come back right? And why is not available now?

 

I asked Customer Services this a couple of weeks ago and they said it would be the beginning of next year or hopefully in time for the opening of the next booking period. Not very good when it's not been working for ages now.

[emmarose]

7 hours ago, Angela Essex said:

I also booked amphi E 57 & 58 to see Marianela and Vadim in Swan Lake in March - can’t wait. I’ve never seen Swan Lake or Marianela dance before so am really looking forward to it.

 

You are in for a treat!

[maryrosesatonapin]

45 minutes ago, Scheherezade said:

 

.... the loose bar stool seats over fixed seats....

I read this phrase with horror.  I've never sat in the balcony before, but am booked to do so this coming Saturday.  I knew I had booked 'loose seats' but didn't realise they were bar stool type seats!  Are they high off the ground?  I often find it difficult to climb up onto actual bar stools.  Eeek.  (M seat number is B59)

[Blossom]

6 minutes ago, maryrosesatonapin said:

I read this phrase with horror.  I've never sat in the balcony before, but am booked to do so this coming Saturday.  I knew I had booked 'loose seats' but didn't realise they were bar stool type seats!  Are they high off the ground?  I often find it difficult to climb up onto actual bar stools.  Eeek.  (M seat number is B59)

Row B loose seats are normal height!

[Angela Essex]

7 hours ago, Daveyw0506 said:

Hello one and all, 

I am new to the Royal Opera House and have just secured tickets to see Swan Lake in March and have managed to get seat numbers P18 and P19 level G in the orchestra stalls. 
Does anyone who is a regular opera goer know if I have got good quality seats, this is a surprise for my wife and I want it to be special. 
Many Thanks

Wow! What an amazing surprise. I’ve only been to roh twice as a child, but those seats sound amazing to me I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to bits. I’m sure you’ll earn a LOT of husband points 👍👍👍

[Angela Essex]

59 minutes ago, Scheherezade said:

 

The advantage of the loose bar stool seats over fixed seats, Angela, is, as you'd expect, that you can move and angle the seats. This can help if the people in front of you are obstructing your view, although there are no guarantees; as always, it helps if the people in front are small and do not lean forward or move about too much. And, unlike similarly-priced seats in the amphitheatre, you don't have to worry that moving your seat will obstruct the view of people behind you.

Thanks for the heads up - I’ll just be so excited to be there - fingers crossed the people in front won’t be too tall 🤞🤞🤞

[maryrosesatonapin]

10 minutes ago, Blossom said:

Row B loose seats are normal height!

Phew, thank you, that's a relief!

 

[Blossom]

5 minutes ago, Angela Essex said:

Thanks for the heads up - I’ll just be so excited to be there - fingers crossed the people in front won’t be too tall 🤞🤞🤞

Generally it’s not height which is the issue- it’s if they lean right forward… I have asked people nicely before if they could sit properly so I can see 

[JNC]

1 hour ago, jmhopton said:

 

I asked Customer Services this a couple of weeks ago and they said it would be the beginning of next year or hopefully in time for the opening of the next booking period. Not very good when it's not been working for ages now.

Thanks. Just very confusing it no longer seems to work and why it’s taking months to fix, I’m not a techie but seems it’s not a priority for them which is silly. 

[maryrosesatonapin]

1 hour ago, JNC said:

Thanks. Just very confusing it no longer seems to work and why it’s taking months to fix, I’m not a techie but seems it’s not a priority for them which is silly. 

And not very satisfying for the people who took hours and hours to photograph the view from each seat.

[Angela Essex]

On 16/11/2021 at 09:03, bridiem said:

 

Excellent! Let us know your reactions after the performance - would be great to hear how things go for you.

So it was absolutely amazing. For £28 the seat C61 was really very good. Two really tall people (they must’ve been 6ft plus) sat in front of me but I had a clear view of the stage down the middle of them / in between them. Unfortunately their phones went off a few times during act I and they were talking so the usher said I could move to the first row of the balcony (A55) for act II. The view from there was fabulous. 
 

Now I’m by no means an expert in all things ballet but my word Caesar Corrales was unbelievable. My jaw was literally on the floor with all the jumps and turns 😮. Akane Tadaka was just beautiful too. When she found out Albrecht was betrothed to Bathilde and had betrayed her the devastation she conveyed almost had me in tears I was literally so gutted for her. Annette Buvoli was a very menacing Myrthe too. I haven’t been to roh in almost 35 years and it did not disappoint. I can’t wait to go back.

 

I scoped out the view from the standing spaces at the back of the balcony and the stalls circle and they both had a clear view of the stage too. Plenty of decent seats at really affordable prices at roh. Now I just need to plan my next visit. The cheaper balcony seats are fantastic. 

Edited November 19, 2021 by Angela Essex
Extra info about Giselle

[jmhopton]

I was in stalls circle C94 for Vadim/Marianela last night and really enjoyed the feeling of being so close to the stage. OK it's not really ideal for a classical ballet as you can't see both lines of Wilis in the second act (or Albrechts cottage in act 1) but you do get a fantastic view of the action and facial expressions.  Would be great for a Macmillan ballet where facial expressions and nuanced acting details are very important.  However, the seat is close to the right hand side of the stage and for Giselle at least I think an equivalent seat on the left side wouldnt be as good as you wouldn't see Giselle's cottage which is quite important. Also I was sat far left for a performance of Sylvia once and didn't see Eros at all!