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The West End’s biggest pain: Why are theatre seats so uncomfortable?

3 0
07.10.2025

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........

© LBC