Royal Albert Hall seating reviews
Review 1: 'Because the Hall is so large and is circular in shape, the seats that face the stage directly are very far from the stage. All of the seats in the upper balcony (called the Circle) are also very far from the stage. So if you buy seats facing the stage or anywhere in the Circle, make sure to bring binoculars. The main floor (called the Arena) does not slope toward the stage, so seats there do not have a good view and should be avoided. The best seats are in the Stalls (which are above the Arena floor), on the sides of the stage. The side seats in the stalls swivel so the strain is not bad on your neck or back.'
Review 2: 'The opera productions performed in the round are really nice. The performers usually come down to stage through steps down the audience. I would recommend a seat in the stalls if possible. The Grand Tier Boxes seem to offer more space than the Loggia Boxes. We visit the Royal Albert Hall frequently and in our opinion there is no such thing as a bad seat even in the gods (Circle)! It's a very small venue, full of history, it's quite old fashioned, same door staff for many years, which adds to its charm. It has the best assistance for the disabled and customer care out of all the London venus we go to. Enjoy your visit.'
Review 3: 'I have been to quite a few concerts and events at the Albert Hall and have sat in all the different levels except the Standing Gallery. The most comfortable are indeed the boxes but that does not mean you will get a brilliant view because in some of the boxes there are support pillars that mar the view. Also if the box you are sitting in is nearer the front of the hall you do not get a very good view. To be quite honest I have always found that the best seats are in the Circle directly in front of the stage but there are three major draw backs from the stalls:
You are furthest away from the stage at this point.
It is very high and not ideal if you suffer from vertigo.
As you are sat very high the heat rises to the top of the hall and it can become incredibly hot and uncomfortable even in the winter.'
Royal Albert Hall Arena seats reviews
Review 4: 'The Arena floor is flat and a few feet below the level of the front of the platform, so for a classical concert, you won't have a very good view of the orchestra.'
Review 5: 'For the Classical Spectacular the Arena may not be the best choice for everyone as there are lasers, cannons, musketeers and fireworks all at the upper levels of the hall. You would be craning your neck if in the Arena.'
Royal Albert Hall Stalls seats reviews
Review 6: 'The view from the Stalls is fine, but bear in mind that the hall is very large, so the central stalls (blocks J, K, L) are some way from the stage. Personally, I prefer the Side Stalls near to the platform. You get a better view and the sound still seems quite well balanced. The stalls seats swivel, so you can turn to face the performers.'
Review 7: 'I've sat in the Stalls for blues concerts and it's a great view, you feel very close to the stage too... all I'd say is that people on the Arena floor get obstructed views when others in front stand up to dance or take pictures etc, probably not a concern at a classical concert, but I still say the Stalls or the Circle are the best bet. Because of the steep angle nothing gets in your way whereas the Arena floor is flat.'
Review 8: 'I am with the Friends of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and have been to the RAH many many times. I have sat in types of seats and without a doubt the best seats are Stalls or Logia boxes. However Stalls are cheaper than Logia. The seats in the Stalls are very comfortable and they swivel so that even if you are near the stage you can turn to face the Orchestra.'
Royal Albert Hall Circle seats reviews
Review 9: 'Circle offers the next best seats after the Stalls. They are a bit high up, but the RAH isn't huge and the bowl design means noone is hugely far from the action and the acoustics are famously excellent so you'll hear the opera perfectly well.'
Royal Albert Hall Choir seats reviews
Review 10: 'Choir are odd seats, some people really like them as the view is pretty unique (in that you see the side and sometimes back of performers' heads) but some don't like it.'
Review 11: 'When Promming, we always did Choir and loved it. Much closer, and usually much cheaper.'
How many rows are there in the Royal Albert Hall?
The Arena has 29 rows. The Stalls have 11 rows. The 8 seater Boxes have 2 rows. The 12 and 5 seater Boxes have 3 rows. The Circle has 7 rows.
What are the best Arena seats at the Royal Albert Hall?
Rows 1-5 in the Arena offer the best seats.
What are the best Stalls seats at the Royal Albert Hall?
Front rows in Stalls H and M have excellent view.
What are the best Loggia seats at the Royal Albert Hall?
Seats 1-4 in Loggia Boxes 7-12 and 25-30.
What are the best Grand Tier seats at the Royal Albert Hall?
Seats 1-4 in Grand Tier Boxes 8-14 and 30-36.
What are the best Second Tier seats at the Royal Albert Hall?
Seats 1-2 in Second Tier Boxes 17-30 and 61-74.
What is the maximum capacity of the Royal Albert Hall? / How many people does it hold?
The Royal Albert Hall has a capacity (depending on configuration of the event) of up to 5,272 seats. It was originally designed with a capacity for 8,000 people and has accommodated as many as 9,000 (although modern safety restrictions mean that the maximum permitted capacity is now 5,544 including standing in the Gallery.
Notable events: Royal Choral Society
The Royal Choral Society is the longest running regular performance at the Hall, having given its first performance as the Royal Albert Hall Choral Society on 8 May 1872. From 1878 it established the annual Good Friday performance of Handel's Messiah.
Notable events: BBC Proms
The BBC Promenade Concerts, known as 'The Proms', is a popular annual eight-week summer season of daily classical music concerts and other events at the Hall. In 1942, following the destruction of the Queen's Hall in an air raid, the Hall was chosen as the new venue for the proms. In 1944 with increased danger to the Hall, part of the proms were held in the Bedford Corn Exchange. Following the end of World War II the proms continued in the Hall and have done so annually every summer since. The event was founded in 1895, and now each season consists of over 70 concerts, in addition to a series of events at other venues across the United Kingdom on the last night. In 2009, the total number of concerts reached 100 for the first time. Jiří Bělohlávek described The Proms as 'the world's largest and most democratic musical festival' of all such events in the world of classical music festivals.
Proms (short for promenade concerts) is a term which arose from the original practice of the audience promenading, or strolling, in some areas during the concert. Proms concert-goers, particularly those who stand, are sometimes described as 'Promenaders', but are most commonly referred to as 'Prommers'.
Notable events: Tennis
Tennis was first played at the Hall in March 1970 and the ATP Champions Tour Masters has been played annually every December since 1997.
Notable events: Classical Spectacular
Classical Spectacular, a Raymond Gubbay production, has been coming to the Hall since 1988. It combines classical music, lights and special effects.
Notable events: Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil has performed several of its shows at the Hall beginning in 1996 with Saltimbanco, a show which returned in 1997. In 1998 they had their UK première of Alegría and returned in 1999. After a few years away they returned in 2003 with Saltimbanco. Their European première of Dralion was held at the Hall in 2004 and returned in 2005. 2006 and 2007 saw the return of Alegría whilst 2008 saw the UK première of Varekai, which returned in 2010 marking 25 years of Cirque du Soleil. Quidam returned to London (but a first for this show at the Hall) in 2009 and in January 2014. In January and February 2011 and again in 2012 they presented Totem. In January and February 2013, the Hall held the UK première of Koozå.
Notable events: Classic Brit Awards
Since 2000, the Classic Brit Awards has been hosted annually in May at the Hall. It is organised by the British Phonographic Industry.
Notable events: Festival of Remembrance
The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, is held annually the day before Remembrance Sunday.
Notable events: Graduation ceremonies
The Hall is used annually by Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art for graduation ceremonies. Kingston University also held its graduation ceremonies at the Royal Albert Hall until 2008.
Notable events: Institute of Directors
For 60 years the Institute of Directors' Annual Convention has been synonymous with the Hall, although in 2011 and 2012 it was held at indigO2.
Notable events: English National Ballet
Since 1998 the English National Ballet has had several specially staged arena summer seasons in partnership with the Hall and Raymond Gubbay. These include Strictly Gershwin, June 2008 and 2011, Swan Lake, June 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013, Romeo & Juliet (Deane), June 2001 and 2005 and The Sleeping Beauty, April – June 2000.
Notable events: Teenage Cancer Trust
Starting in the year 2000 the Teenage Cancer Trust has held annual charity concerts (with the exception of 2001). They started as a one off event but have expanded over the years to a week or more of evenings events. Roger Daltrey of The Who has been intimately involved with the planning of the events.
Regular performers
Eric Clapton is a regular performer at the Hall, it having played host to his concerts almost annually for over 20 years. In December 1964, Clapton made his first appearance at the Hall with The Yardbirds. It was also the venue for his band Cream's farewell concerts in 1968 and reunion shows in 2005. He also instigated the Concert for George, which was held at the Hall on 29 November 2002 to pay tribute to Clapton's lifelong friend, former Beatle George Harrison. Since 1964, Clapton has performed at the Hall almost 200 times, and has stated that performing at the venue is like 'playing in my front room'.
Shirley Bassey has appeared many times at the Hall, usually as a special guest. In 2001, she sang happy birthday for the Duke of Edinburgh's 80th birthday concert. In 2007, she sang at Fashion Rocks in aid of the Prince's Trust. On 30 March 2011, she sang at a gala celebrating the 80th birthday of Mikhail Gorbachev. In May 2011, she performed at the Classic Brit Awards, singing Goldfinger in tribute to the recently deceased composer John Barry. On 20 June 2011, she returned and sang Diamonds Are Forever and Goldfinger, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as the climax to the memorial concert for John Barry.
About the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the London's most treasured and distinctive attractions, recognisable the world over. Since its opening in 1871, it has an unparalleled history of exceptional performances by the world's leading artists from every kind of performance genre. Over a million people each year visit shows at the Hall and many millions more around the world see events through broadcasts. The Royal Albert Hall hosts and celebrates live performance by artists from around the world and promotes, with partners, productions of opera, ballet, musicals and organmusic. Each year, over 350 events are held in the Hall's auditorium which include performances of classical music, jazz, folk and world music, circus, rock and pop concerts, ballet and opera, dance, comedy, tennis, charity concerts, film premières, corporate dinners, award ceremonies and occasions of national importance. Along with the O2 Arena and Wembley Stadium, the Royal Albert Hall it is the ultimate hotspot for Londoners to enjoy world class entertainment shows.
What are some of the biggest shows that will take place or have taken place in the London Royal Albert Hall, UK?
Some of the biggest names in show business have been scheduled to perform or performed in the London Royal Albert Hall. This includes: Classical Coffee Mornings, Sonny Rollins, Late Night Jazz, Barts Choir - German Requiem, Ignite, Youth Messiah from Scratch, EAT, PRAY, LAUGH! Barry Humphries' Farewell Tour, Carols by Candlelight, Russian Ball in London, Christmas with the Stars, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Messiah, Christmas Carol Singalong, Jingle Bell Christmas, King's College Choir, Royal Choral Society Christmas Carols, The Glory of Christmas, Anton and Erin's Christmas Cracker, Christmas Spectacular, Luke Haines, Anaïs Mitchell, Gipsy Kings, VIP Stalls Package, OneRepublic, The Bootleg Beatles, Alison Moyet, Jon Lord, Bellowhead, TEDMED, Yanni, Chas & Dave, Rick Wakeman: Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, Yes, Tchaikovsky Gala, Verdi’s Requiem, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Shreya Ghoshal, Shreya Ghoshal, The Seekers, Steve Harley & co*ckney Rebel, West Side Story, Beethoven's Ninth, Grand Organ Gala, Peter Andre, International Ballroom Dancing Championships, Alison Balsom, Carmina Burana, War Requiem: Benjamin Britten, adele, aida, alicia keys, ballet, beethoven, blues fest, bob dylan, bolton, buena vista social club, cafe consort, cafe consort, christmas carols, cinderella, danny elfman, deacon blue, earth wind and fire, erin and anton, fantasia, film music, george michael, gladiator, gloria estefan, gregory porter, haunted, human circus, ignite, ish, james blunt, jazz, jingle bells, joan rovers, john barry, jon brookes, jools holland, juan luis guerra, karl jenkins, katherine jenkins, kensington gore, killers, king's college choir, la boheme, lang lang, laura marling, mcfly, natalie cole, nutcracker, pirates of the caribbean, pixar, primary proms, rick wakeman, robert plant, romeo and juliet, russell howard, sezan aksu, star trek into darkness, sunidhi chauhan, tedx, tori amos, totem, uk, ulrish schnauss, urban classics, urban prom, war requiem, zelda, zeppelin, zubin mehta, zuchhero
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