Old Vic Theatre Review

Fanny &Alexander a great show many thanks for a most entertaining evening.

Whatever your reason for going to a theatre, a must, is to enjoy it. The show we saw was on its last evening and we could only purchase seats left in the highest area of the theatre. It's worst when the seats (benches) are in a circle and yours is at the extreme end. From that position all that can be seen, are the wall and sceneries in the opposite side. To see the actors, you have to stand up, and then have the pleasure of watching the top of their heads - down. It took away the enjoyment of the play and then having to put up with a neck ache from looking left for 2 hours. Lesson from this? don't buy cheap last minute tickets, and ask why the theatre sells them? In another costly seat, I am sure the experiment would have been different. Don't be put off by this, but be prepared. Also bear in mind that they are renovating the loos at the moment, if you need to relieve yourself, you have to make your way outside the theatre to temporary loos on the road, after waiting in one of the long queues if course. However, the night I was there, staff were handing out chocolate, I think to sweeten people up as a mean to appease. I took some. Enjoy.

Famous historic Grade 2 listed theatre in a great location adjacent to Waterloo Station. Now run as a not-for-profit producing theatre, it is the home to some superb professional performances, set amongst beautiful ornate surroundings. There is an intimate feel to the shows, the staff are friendly, the bar is spacious and the food is good. Highly recommended to visit!

Beautiful theatre with absolutely amazing architecture and design. Plays are diverse and interesting. However, seats are very small and bar is quite expensive (you can take your own snacks though!).

The old Vic (and young Vic just up the road) lead, with theatre in London at the moment. The National Theatre seems focused on to o many seconds rate new plays or dull Shakespeare adaptations. It's put my money on one of the two Vics. Better value too.

I've been to the Old Vic on several occasions and always enjoyed the shows I have seen. This review however is to praise the customer service team who after a massive error on my part of booking the wrong tickets were very quick to help me rectify the situation. I am now very much looking forward to seeing High Soceity on Saturday at the correct time of 7.30!

Really love this old playhouse still under renovation

With such brilliant and enthusiastic reviews how could I not want to go !!!! Extremely excited to find something I'll enjoy tbh sounds like the atmosphere will be an absolute joy ..... simply can't wait .........

Love this theatre, we've been coming for years and the performances are always great. But my wife and I are not at all sure about the new "gender-neutral" facilities...

Lovely venue but queueing on the stairs for the toilet was not fun

One of London's most lovely theatres, although I do prefer the National's more innovative roster. Gorgeous, red velvet backed bar and comfy seats make for a very decent viewing experience, although you'll pay handsomely for it.

If you ever visit the theatre, check if you have a 5" top knot, if you do, get rid of it.

Great building, chairs reasonably comfy, good drinks. The play was fantastic as well.

Top performances in Mood Music.....a great and innovative production.

Best thing we have done and seen on our visit, A Christmas Carol. If you have chance to go before it finishes don't hesitate. Next time we are in London we will be checking out if it's on again. Would never tire of this performance as for the theatre, beautiful, not too big and I would say wherever you are seated you will have a good view of the stage.

Went to see a Christmas carol. Fantastic production

Intimate Theatre. Under renovation but does not spoil event. All my sons production good and cast amazing.

Lovely building, saw "A Christmas Carol" really enjoyed it.

Magnificent show. Wonderful theater.
Helpfully staff and good value restaurant underneath theater.

This small, old theater is beautifully restored and sits spitting distance from the Waterloo Station. We were able to catch a couple of shows here and it looks like every seat is solid good one. The bar downstairs is a feast itself and well worth checking out.

What a wonderful theatre! We sat up top and we could hear and see everything. Just be careful of the stupid prolices at the cafeteria.

Very small and cozy venue, excellent place to watch and enjoy a play or a musical.

Gorgeous old theatre. Fannie and Alexander was great!

The production was excellent.
Staff were friendly and helpful
Seats were comfortable but a little cramped in the cheap seats.
Views good all round but those on the side of the Baylis circle looked like their view was restricted.
Queue for the ladies toilet during the interval was very long.
Easy to find from Waterloo Station.

Absolutely loved the Old Vic and seeing a Christmas Carol! Worth every penny!! Thank you!

Christmas Carroll, one of Dickens best. Brilliant production, imaginative cast.10/10. Something to book for next year.

Great venue. Sound and lighting was of great quality. Combined with a great show (Variety Night), definitely a recommended place.
I would recommend not to get front row seats if you have any problems craning your neck for extended periods of time. Anything from 3rd row and back should be fine.

Nice little theatre in the heart of London however some of the seats are standing and have restricted view.

OMG the play I went to see was a Christmas carol, and I was stunned by the sound effects, acting, and the hospitality was great. Go there - it's worth it

A gem of theatre in London. Beautiful bars, amazing inside and confortable seats.

Seen a few plays here. Really nice decor and the layout is very good. You can see the stage really well.

Excellent theatre a stone's throw from Waterloo. Tim Key was excellent in the late 2016 production of ART.

Walking distance from Waterloo. Small theatre but great ambience.

A Very Expensive Poison was incredible, loved seeing this theater with so much history!

Not enough space, even we are not really tall. Had to leave after one hour due to knee and back pain.

My first time visiting this theatre, for the preview of Present Laughter, and I will certainly being going back again. The theatre has a great intimate atmosphere which makes you feel part of the production, staff are friendly and it has a more contemporary feel than many of London's other theatres.

A gorgeous theatre with wonderful staff and true A-grade performers and productions.

Outstanding and a cosy venue. Just the right size. My favourite in London.

Beautiful old theatre which always used to be a bit of a barn - very lengthy auditorium and the balconies felt very detached from the action - nowadays made perfect by clever stage adaptations which almost make it 'in the round '. Clean, well decorated, good facilities.

Comfy seats, pricey bars and long toilet queues for ladies

Great theatre. Very atmospheric and close to the actors

Penny bar is a really cosy cafe with top quality coffee and nice choice of snacks and tasty meals!

Fabulous place enjoy the cafe and bar opened to the public and you don't have to watch a show

Beautiful, historic theatre. Saw A Christmas Carol which was amazing.

Historic theatre that never provides less than the very best shows. Could not recommend buying a ticket for any show more!

Watched a great production of A Christmas Carol. I would recommend a viewing before it finishes later this month.

A Christmas Carol was excellent - very enjoyable. Stephen Tompkinson was a fabulous Scrooge!

Recently saw Girl form the North Country here and have to say it was a very nice theatre and an excellent performance by all the cast.

My first visit. In the cheapest seats but the view was excellent. Squashed into very cramped seats in a fully booked house. Staff were very helpful and there was an aura of friendliness about the place. Enjoyable.

We went to watch a production of a Christmas Carol. It was a very powerful, extremely accomplished and very enjoyable performance. One of the best we had seen in a very long while.

But this is meant to be a review of the Old Vic itself. It's a very nice building, the performing space itself not being very big. It's hard to comment on the seating arrangements as the space had been reconfigured to suit the production (seats arranged around the stage, which was spread out in the middle of the room).

However, if what we saw was typical of the productions at the venue, and we have every reason to believe it is, then we would heartily recommend the Old Vic for its choice of production values and accomplishment.

The ushers are friendly and helpful, as are security staff who check your bags (they usually are at theaters). We didn't use the toilets (two sets, one on lower ground floor and the other on the third floor) nor did we try out the drinks (looked crowded, so we went across the road for a great coffee at an independent).

All in all, a very good experience. We shall be returning!