The West End’s biggest pain: Why are theatre seats so uncomfortable? |
By Johnny Jenkins
I’m lucky enough to go to the theatre a lot - most weeks I’m at a West End show watching excellent productions.
The acting is world-class but almost every time, I come away with a sore back and a desperate need for a painkiller. Why? Because the seats are so bloody uncomfortable.
I understand why. Many of London’s theatres date back to the Victorian era. They look decadent, and part of their charm is their history. But that history comes with a cost: the seats.
People were smaller then and audiences weren’t expected to spend three hours sitting still. In 2025, those tiny chairs feel........