Story: Arylene Westlake
Picture: Richard Hatherly
HOW do you guarantee getting the best seat in the house – ask the expert.
The Edwardian architecture of His Majesty’s Theatre is a picture of gentility on the outside, but those familiar with the century-old interior know about the pesky pillars in the dress circle and stalls.
While seats obstructed by the pillars have been relegated to the “not for sale” pile, the best spot at The Maj isn’t necessarily in the front row, according to general manager Rodney Phillips.
“The best seat is probably in the middle of Row B of the dress circle – seat B20,” Mr Phillips said.
“For some lovers of lyrical works, sitting near the rear of the upper circle quite a distance from the stage, which is two levels below, and at a cheaper ticket price gives the best overall acoustic for voice and orchestra.”
Other advice includes to stay away from the first four or five rows when watching a musical or dance performance. Often with these productions, it becomes overwhelming to sit so close to the action.
If you’re on a budget, the front row of the Upper Circle offers a bird’s-eye view of the performance for a quarter of the price of premium reserve tickets.
* All this week, in an exclusive PerthNow iPad series, experts reveal their secrets to getting the best seat in the house. From 7pm today, look for the top spot at Rockpool; tomorrow, Patersons Stadium; Tuesday, the fashion runway; Wednesday, cinemas; and Thursday, planes.
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