Find your seat.
Enjoy the evening.
The theatre has a language of its own. This short companion explains the auditorium, the practical details and a few words you might encounter before the lights go down.
01A view of the auditorium
Illustration only. This is not the seating plan of a real venue. Levels are shown separately for clarity.
Stalls
Usually the main seating area at stage level. A close seat can feel immediate, but the view depends on the stage height, the row and the production.
Names vary between theatres. Check the actual seating plan, sightline notes and access information before choosing a seat. “Circle” does not guarantee a particular view.
02Before the curtain
A small checklist for your next visit. Tick items as you go; the list resets when you reload the page.
03A few useful words
Interval
A break between parts of a performance. Some productions have no interval. Check the running-time information rather than assuming there will be one.
Matinée
A daytime performance, commonly in the afternoon. The cast or schedule may differ, so check the details for the particular performance.
House
The audience or the auditorium, depending on context. “House open” generally means the audience can enter the auditorium.
Restricted view
A seat from which part of the stage may be obscured. The reason might be a pillar, a rail, an angle or a production element. Read the venue’s description carefully.
Understudy
A performer prepared to cover a role when needed. Cast changes are a normal part of live theatre.
Curtain call
The appearance of the performers at the end of a performance to receive the audience’s applause.
A companion, not a box office.
Interval is an independent educational page for people curious about theatre-going. It does not represent a venue, production or ticket agency. The auditorium drawing is an original illustration, and the guidance is general rather than venue-specific.
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