
The Prince of Wales Theatre, originally opened in 1884 and extensively rebuilt in 1937, is a prominent West End venue known for its striking Art Deco interior and modern facilities. Designed by Robert Cromie, its elegant auditorium offers excellent sightlines and a comfortable atmosphere. It has a rich history of hosting popular musicals and revues, making it a vibrant and stylish destination for theatregoers in Piccadilly Circus.
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Seating
- StallsPrime for musicals, with generous legroom and premium centre seats, but mind the very front.
- CircleExcellent aerial views and proximity, but mind the rail, side angles, and summer heat.
Stalls
Descend into the Stalls, a massive single tier below street level, a favourite for high-energy musical runs. The stage is set at a relatively low pitch compared to older Victorian houses, so front Rows A through C offer incredible proximity without severe neck strain, though shorter patrons might find the stage floor partially obscured.
A smooth, gentle rake increases past the cross-aisle, guaranteeing excellent sightlines over heads throughout. While the Delfont Circle structurally overhangs at Row P, the high, airy ceiling ensures it won't cut off the upper proscenium arch until the furthest rear Rows W through Z.
For the ultimate premium sweet spot, aim for centre seats in Rows H through N (seats 14 to 26), which sit completely clear of the overhang, providing a perfectly framed eye-level view within the ideal spatial audio mix. Taller patrons will appreciate the exceptionally generous standard legroom, a benefit of the major 2004 renovation, and those in Row L (seats 11 to 29) directly behind the cross-aisle enjoy virtually infinite legroom.
Circle
Up in the Delfont Circle, you'll find a wide, single upper balcony designed with a sweeping curve that brings you surprisingly close to the stage. Row A hovers directly over Row M of the Stalls, placing this tier closer to the stage than almost any other London balcony of similar capacity.
The seating is built on a sharp rake, noticeably steeper than the Stalls, offering a flawless, unobstructed aerial view over the heads in front. However, shorter patrons or children in Row A should be aware that the thick front safety railing can slice through their field of view, occasionally requiring them to lean forward.
Additionally, because the balcony curves aggressively, the outermost seats (seats 1 to 4 and 39 to 42 in Rows A through D) view the performance at a sharp diagonal angle, causing minor cut-offs on the near downstage wing. Legroom in the mid-to-rear rows is slightly tighter than in the Stalls, but Row G, directly behind a cross-aisle, offers significantly extended knee clearance.
Finally, as heat naturally rises toward the Art Deco ceiling dome, it can get very hot here, especially during the summer months.
See the view from your seat
SeatPlan has photographs taken from individual seats at the Prince of Wales Theatre, alongside a full seating plan and reviews from people who sat there. Worth a look before you commit to a restricted-view seat.
View seat photos and planAffiliate link — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Staying nearby
The nearest hotels to the Prince of Wales Theatre, for anyone travelling in for a show rather than heading home after it.
- Zedwell Piccadilly Circusabout 5 min walk
- Ham Yard Hotelabout 5 min walk
- Hotel Café Royalabout 5 min walk
Hotels.com affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Prices and availability are shown on their site.
Facilities
Toilets
Male and female toilets are available. An accessible toilet is located in the Delfont Bar and is accessible by lift.
Box office
Opens 2.5 hours before the show and closes 15 minutes after the start. Remains open between performances on matinee days.
Available for coats and small bags. Large bags/suitcases not accepted.
Location
Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London, W1D 6AS
Getting there
nearest first
- 1 min
Piccadilly Circus
BakerlooPiccadilly - 4 min
Leicester Square
NorthernPiccadilly - 10 min
Charing Cross
National RailBakerlooNorthern
Bus stops on Haymarket (routes 3, 6, 12, 13, 19, 23, 38, 88, 139) and Charing Cross Road (routes 24, 29, 176) are nearby.
Step-by-step walking directions
The nearest Tube stations are Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) and Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines). From Piccadilly Circus, exit onto Coventry Street and the theatre is a very short walk. Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo, and National Rail) is also within walking distance.

