Home to the West-End production of Disney’s iconic musical film, The Lion King, since 1999, The Lyceum Theatre is equally remarkable in its own rights. With origins dating back to 1765, the theatre has served numerous purposes, never losing its majesty and charm in the process. In 1996, the theatre was modified to it’s current state, a place for epic, opera-style musicals. Before The Lion King, the Lyceum Theatre has hosted Jesus Christ Superstar in 1996 and Oklahoma! In 1999. Your search for the definitive Lyceum theatre seating plan ends here!
Presenting our comprehensive guide to the Lyceum Theatre, including seat maps, pricing chart, places to eat, and much more.
The Lyceum Theatre Seating Chart
The Lyceum Theatre is the second largest theatre in West End, after the London Palladium, with a massive seat count of 2100. The majestic theatre has seen countless renovations over the year, starting out as an exhibition theatre for artists in 1765.
While a lot has changed in the theatre cosmetically since then, what remain the same are the aesthetics that define the theatre. Ornate walls, beautifully carpeted floors, and a remarkably well done ceiling. The box seats on either side of the theatre are a thing of beauty too, their view of the stage not considered.
Presently, the theatre has three major sections, starting with the Stall, which is the closest to the stage, the Royal Circle, which is first of the elevated levels, and the Grand Circle, which is the furthest away from the stage.
While you can get a decent view from most of the seats across all sections, there are certain spots you would want to sit in and others you should definitely avoid. Let’s take an in-depth look at all the sections individually and try and determine the intricacies of good seating with our Lyceum Theatre seating plan.
The Lyceum Theatre Stalls
The first three rows are premium and while they do bring you closest to the stage, it often can be too close for some people. Since The Lion King’s setting is expansive and things are happening across the entire stage at all times, being in the first few rows can keep you from taking in the entirety of the production. Still, the issue is but a minor inconvenience and if you’re getting premium seats in a good price, we say, go for it!
Moving back a little, the middle rows in the central section of the stalls, from D to P, are arguably the best in the theatre, both in terms of the view they offer and value for money. The side sections are located a little off the proscenium arch (the arch surrounding the stage), which means the corner-most seats won’t offer a good view.
Restricted View Seats
Seats 21-24 in Row A are marked “conductor in view” and sold for a lower price to make up for the partially obstructed view. Both ends of Rows A to M offer a restricted view and are sold at an appropriate price. In general, the high numbered seats in the stalls section are sold at reduced rates due to the obstructed view.
Pricing
The centre rows, D to P, and seats 16-31 are typically the most expensive, with the front row seats coming in second. The front few rows of the side sections are similarly priced as the centre front rows. The prices go down as you move further down the stalls, with the corner most seats being available for the lowest price.
Reviews
We sat on the 2nd row. Possibly might have got a better overall view from the dress circle but you certainly felt part of the show being so near. The head of the conductor is in view for all Row A and B seats in the centre section for some part, but it's not too bad.
Excellent seats. Great legroom, superb view and you are next to the aisle in the centre block which means the animals parade past you at various points in the performance. There really is only one place to see this show and that is from the stalls.
The Lyceum Theatre Royal Circle
The royal circle of the Lyceum Theatre overhangs from Row R of the stalls, starting with Row A and extending to Row P, with the seats starting from 1 on the right most corner and moving to 45 on the left. There is row AA too, but that’s tucked away to either side, holding only 3 seats each.
The layout is similar to that of the stalls, with the aisles dividing the section into one central block and two on each side.
The front few rows, from A to H, and centre seats of the royal circle are undoubtedly the best, offering a fantastic view of the stage and providing ample leg space. The side sections offer a good view too, except for the extreme corner seats. If you are attending the show with kids, we would recommend picking the centre front seats of the royal circle for a clean view of the stage.
Restricted View Seats
Row P offers a slightly obstructed view of the top of the theatre, due to the overhang. The first row , A, has a couple of seats with metal bars that obstruct the view a tad bit. These seats are numbered 12, 13, 25, and 26.
Pricing
Front and centre royal circle seats are some of the most coveted and the ticket prices reflect that. The price dips a little for the side section seats and the last few rows are also cheaper than Row A-E. If you’re comfortable being a few rows behind in the royal circle, we would recommend Row M or N. The view is pretty decent and the price isn’t as steep as that of the first few rows.
Reviews
We found our seats in Row H excellent. The view of the stage is totally clear with no obstruction from the Upper Circle overhang. The rake is steep enough to give a generally unobstructed view and the legroom was very good for my height.
The seats in row L are comfortable and there is sufficient legroom for even me at 6' 1" but we were quite far from the stage and couldn't see faces or expressions and the public involvement with the action in The Lion King is only for those in the stalls so you feel deprived in the circle. Still, not a bad theatre or show at all.
The Lyceum Theatre Grand Circle
The last section, the Grand Circle also has the least number of rows, starting from A and ending with M. The seats are numbered 1 to 49 and move from right to left. The grand circle section starts from Row C of the royal circle and the layout is similar to the stalls and the royal circle.
The view from the grand circle is average at best, considering how far back the seats are from the stage. Within this section, the front row centre seats, (Row B to D, seats 16-32), are the best, offering the most direct view of the stage. The corner seats should be avoided, but if seats in the centre rows are available, we’ll recommend going for them, only because they’re considerably cheaper than all other seats in the theatre.
Restricted View Seats
The front row, while offering the best view, is supremely cramped and there isn’t much legroom. Also, the grand circle theatre is at a great height, which means people who suffer from vertigo should definitely avoid buying seats here. Certain seats in the first row are partially obstructed due to a railing that passes through, but nothing too major.
Pricing
As you would expect, the prices for the grand circle seats are the cheapest of the lot. The price is pretty even across the section, except for the last few rows, which are even cheaper. Our recommendation would be to go for the grand circle seats if you aren’t willing to spend a lot and are fine with a view from the very top.
Reviews
I think the price for Row L is very very good for seats 27 and 28, especially as they're in the middle and you can see everything. Although in the stalls you get the cast walking right by you so you feel more included. But as I'm not the biggest fan, I think these are the best seats as the view hardly changes in the grand circle wherever you sit and they're the cheapest. The legroom is good, but be a bit careful if you're 5ft 7 and above, because it can be a little uncomfortable.
Seats 33 and 34 in Row A are marked as partially restricted view because they have a rail in front of them. We just leaned on the (dirty) rail , and the view was perfect, though high up. Not worth it to buy any other seats in the same level at a more expensive price because we had the same view as everyone else. From reading the reviews, it seems as though the viewers who sat in the stalls had a better impression of the play than I did at the top.
Pro Tips
1. Based on reviews, the common consensus is that the air-conditioning doesn’t reach all the corners of the theatre, so dress accordingly.
2. The last section, grand circle, is at a great height and for people with vertigo, the upward climb can be a task. Avoid the grand circle section if that’s the case.
3. During intermission the restrooms get super crowded and chances are you won’t get to use one or wait in line for ages. Consume liquids keeping that in mind.
4. The legroom in the grand circle section is nothing to write home about. So if you or someone accompanying you is tall, avoid this section.
5. The Lyceum Theatre has a total of 8 wheelchair spaces in the Stalls section of the auditorium.
6. For people who need them, there are lifts available to all levels of the theatre, located by the entrance on Exeter Street.
7. There are 4 licensed bars in the theatre, one each in the stalls and grand circle and two in the royal circle.
8. Given the size of the theatre, we would recommend coming to the theatre at least 45-50 minutes before your show begins. This will ensure that you are escorted to your seat without any hassles and don’t miss the beginning of the show.
Given the theatre’s location, you’ll find plenty of good eateries and pubs quite closeby. Here’s a list of some of the best ones.
Restaurants Nearby
1. Bill’s Wellington Street Restaurant: A distinct menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a scrumptious European fare to boot. Bill’s is the perfect post West-end eatery.
2. Opera Tavern: A Spanish-Italian diner, Opera Tavern is the perfect mix of fun and classy, with a ground-floor grill and a first floor dining room with chandelier.
3. Polpo: A quaint little Venetian place for local wines and small platters, Polpo is definitely a West-end must visit.
4. Clos Maggiore: A French-themed restaurant, with log fire, a beautiful flower conservatory, and some of the best wine in London.
5. Balthazar: A London classic, Balthazar is a cute coffee place with artisan breads and other baked delights. Perfect for a post show quick bite.
6. Zizzi: Lip-smacking pizzas and gourmet pasta on wooden boards make Zizzi a London dining staple. Try their calzones when you visit!
If you’re looking for other options, well, there’s plenty more where that came from. Our theatre district restaurants guide has everything you’re looking for and more!
Accessibility
Located in 21 Wellington St, the Lyceum Theatre is situated in a premier neighborhood and getting there is quite easy.
If you’re taking the Tube, you can deboard at Convent Garden in the Piccadilly line or Temple Station in the Circle line and the District line. If you prefer buses, 6, 11, 13, and 15 all make a stop at Aldwych, which is walking distance from the theatre.
If you travelling by your car, you can find a safe parking spot in Parker Street under the New London Theatre.
All About Day Tickets
The Lion King, being an extremely popular show, has a limited number of seats. These seats are generally in the stalls section and available for £25.
While the box office opens at 10:00 AM, you should ideally get there by 8:30 AM if you wish to score the day tickets. If you’re looking for weekend tickets, we would suggest going in even earlier, at about 8:00 AM.
Remember, you can buy only two day tickets at a time, you if you’re looking for more tickets, going for the show on days with matinees would mean twice the number of seats.
Summary
Now that the Lyceum theatre seating plan, prices, and other details have been sorted, let’s talk about how to get tickets to The Lion King. If you’re looking for great deals on West-end tickets, visit Headout, an online concierge for last-minute bookings.
Choose your show, select your seats, and show up at the theatre on the day of the experience. In the meantime, a Headout representative will take care of the legwork and meet you at the theatre before your show to hand-deliver your tickets in person.
Have questions about specific seats? Need more restaurant options? Leave us your questions in the comments section and we’ll answer them for you.
