The Lyric publishes a step count for every part of the house, and the numbers are worth reading before you choose a seat. From the foyer it is 24 steps down to the Stalls, 1 to 2 steps to the Dress Circle, 25 steps up to the Grand Circle and 60 steps up to the Balcony. Four more steps get you from the street into the foyer.
So the cheapest seats are also the hardest to reach, by a long way, and the Dress Circle is the easy one. There is step-free access to the Dress Circle through a separate entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue, and staff at the main doors will take you round to it.
Everything below comes from the theatre’s own pages, read on 10 October 2026.
Wheelchair spaces and dog sitting
Wheelchair park and transfer positions are in the Dress Circle boxes on the left side of the auditorium, and the box door frames are 73cm wide, which is the measurement to check against your chair. There is no level access to any of the bars.
Assistance dogs are welcome if you book in advance through the access team, and the theatre runs a dog sitting service for up to two dogs per performance, requested at the time of booking. Access bookers can get up to two seats at a reduced rate, which the theatre describes as the equivalent of a carer going free. The access line is 0330 333 4815, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7.30pm.
What is on
Hadestown is booking at the Lyric until 12 December 2027. The theatre is at 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES, and the box office is open from midday until the evening show starts on performance days. The theatre, bars and auditorium open about 45 minutes before the performance.
Bags, babies and the rules that apply across the chain
There is a small cloakroom for items too big to take into the auditorium, charged at a small fee. Stored items are searched, can only stay during performance times, and the theatre does not accept responsibility for loss or damage.
Children aged 14 and under must sit next to an adult aged 18 or over. Babies under 18 months count as babes in arms and need no paid ticket, collected on arrival. Booster seats are available at most venues, first come first served, from front of house.
Latecomers may be admitted at a suitable break in the performance, but the theatre does not guarantee entry. Photography, filming and audio recording are prohibited during performances unless stated otherwise, though you can take photos in the foyer or auditorium before the show starts.
Only food and drink bought at the theatre can be consumed inside, with the exception of sealed bottles of water, and the bars refill water free. There is no formal dress code.
No refunds, and a 48 hour exchange window
Tickets cannot be refunded. Exchanges and upgrades are possible for the same show at the same theatre, subject to availability, but the form has to be submitted at least 48 hours before the performance. After that the ticket is what it is.
Lyric Theatre
- Address
- 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ES
- Nearest
- Piccadilly Circus or Tottenham Court Road
- Hours
- Box office midday until the evening show starts on performance days. The theatre, bars and auditorium open about 45 minutes before the performance
- Booking
- Through Nimax. Tickets are not refundable. Exchanges and upgrades for the same show at the same theatre are subject to availability and need at least 48 hours notice
- Price
- By show. Access bookers can get up to two seats at a reduced rate, equivalent to a carer going free
- Standing
- A Shaftesbury Avenue theatre run by Nimax, currently playing Hadestown, booking until 12 December 2027
How to get in
From the foyer it is 24 steps down to the Stalls, 1 to 2 to the Dress Circle, 25 up to the Grand Circle and 60 up to the Balcony, with 4 steps from the street. Step-free access to the Dress Circle is via a separate entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue. Wheelchair positions are in the Dress Circle boxes, with 73cm door frames, and there is no level access to the bars. Children aged 14 and under must sit with an adult aged 18 or over
Where to go next
The Lyceum and the Palladium publish comparable visitor rules, and the best West End shows covers what else is on.
Cheap theatre tickets and TKTS cover getting in for less.
Questions we get asked
How many steps are there at the Lyric Theatre?
From the foyer, 24 steps down to the Stalls, 1 to 2 steps to the Dress Circle, 25 steps up to the Grand Circle and 60 steps up to the Balcony, plus 4 steps from street level into the foyer.
Is the Lyric Theatre wheelchair accessible?
The Dress Circle is. There is step-free access to it through a separate entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue, with wheelchair park and transfer positions in the Dress Circle boxes on the left. The box door frames are 73cm wide and there is no level access to the bars.
What is on at the Lyric Theatre London?
Hadestown, booking until 12 December 2027, at 29 Shaftesbury Avenue.
Can you take a bag into the Lyric Theatre?
Small bags only. A small cloakroom takes items too big for the auditorium, for a small charge. Stored items are searched and can only remain during performance times.
Can babies go to the Lyric Theatre?
Babies under 18 months are classed as babes in arms and do not need a paid ticket, collected on arrival. Children aged 14 and under must be seated next to an adult aged 18 or over, and most shows are not suited to very young children.
Can you get a refund at the Lyric Theatre?
No. Tickets are not refundable. Exchanges and upgrades for the same show at the same theatre are possible subject to availability, with the form submitted at least 48 hours before the performance.
Are assistance dogs allowed at the Lyric Theatre?
Yes, booked in advance through the access team. There is also a dog sitting service for up to two dogs per performance, requested when booking.
Written by Robert J Wills, no. 442 in the guide.
Last checked 10 October 2026 against the venues' own published information. Nobody pays to appear here and we take no bookings.
