The Criterion Theatre Reviews Summary

Venue and Atmosphere

Pros:

• "Beautiful venue fully set in the basement below Picadilly Circus."
• "Love this theatre, one of the cutest in London, you really feel like you're having a classy night out."
• "The theatre itself is well designed and moderate in size, meaning not excessively big."
• "What an amazing show & theatre. Very enjoyable uplifting evening performance."
• "The whole place is underground and very impressive."
• "Insanely beautiful 19th century theatre, excellent seating plan which offers over 500 seats but still manages to create a very intimate atmosphere."
• "A well organised historical theatre - interestingly it's all underground."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately we had 2 sado'd sitting behind us who couldn't handle their alcohol, were loud and smelt really bad."
• "At the interval we asked if we could possibly move but was told we could but it would cost us."
• "The only down side were the seats. They were so uncomfortable that I wouldn't recommend for long shows."
• "The stalls where pretty flat so anyone in front with a bit of height obscured your view."
• "View a bit obstructed by posts."
• "The venue felt a bit crowded."
• "Seems too lengthy for a play, though."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "And all the theatre staff were excellent aswell. Nothing was a problem to them."
• "The staff were so ready to answer any questions we had, always spoke with a smile and were very polite!"
• "The staff were extremely helpful and friendly!!!"
• "The staff even found space for me and my wife to pray as it was our prayer time!"
• "All of the staff, from those who checked our tickets and bags to the ushers and bar staff were really welcoming and excellent hosts."
• "Staff were all very friendly."
• "The staff was helpful and were available, was pleased on how they controlled the full and ensured that things start and finish on time."

Cons:

• "I knocked off a star as when I was in line waiting to purchase some goods, the person behind the bar finished serving someone, and without any explanation then walked off."
• "The bar is tiny and staffed with one person, so it takes an age to get served."
• "Not enough wc... Very long line bfr, interval and after..."
• "The sad thing was, the man who scanned our tickets was very rude and offhand."
• "Tourist trap don't go on a Saturday. They have 2 venues arrived at the one I've been to before to be told I was in the wrong one."
• "Only negative was the huge ques at the single bar which causes people to wait until they're served and come into the theatre late."
• "Unfortunately I removed stars for the bar experience, the selection is limited, but having one member of bar staff on is simply ridiculous."

Seating and View

Pros:

• "Good viewing all round, we took advantage of the £15 seat offer and even with seats high and to the side, the view was great."
• "Sat in front row balcony and had a perfect vote of the stage."
• "Seats were comfortable, staff helpful and unobtrusive, and the play itself absolutely wonderful."
• "Very comfortable seats in Row M of the stalls. Really good view and slightly raked with staggered seats."
• "Our seats (stalls K19-20) had a decent view of the stage."
• "Even if you get the restricted view seats you can still see a lot."
• "Seats where comfortable and had a nice view even really far back in the bottom level stalls."

Cons:

• "Seats could be better spaced you have to get up and move out of the aisle to let people come past in the downstairs section."
• "There were quite a few inconvenient pillars in the way."
• "We had seats towards the back in the stalls, and the pillars in front can restrict the view a little."
• "Some of the seat runs are long with no breaks and causes problems for anyone wanting to leave during a performance or late arrivals and if your seat is positioned in the middle!!"
• "The seats are very close together it is quite an exercise to get in and out if there are others already seated in your row, and if you are tall it can be a little uncomfortable."
• "The rear stalls have slightly impaired views owing to large pillars, which is a shame but not a total night-ruiner!"
• "Lovely old theatre but the restricted view seats at the back of the stalls are a false economy with only bottom half of the stage visible (circle overhang) and huge pillars obstructing further."