Have you ever been to a theatre-in-the-round? I had not and admit that I'd not even known what that meant. Then I spent an evening at the Orange Tree Theatre and now I'm all in. What a fun way to experience a show. A theatre-in-the round is one with seating on all sides of the stage. In the case of the Orange Tree, the concept continues on the balcony level. with long bench-seating (with backs) and a padded rail to lay your elbows atop. I'd booked tickets in advance, on-line and arrived at my (2) balcony seats to find an envelope with my name hand written on it. When I opened I found a letter - also hand-written - thanking me for joining them and welcoming me. This was an unexpected delight. The show I saw was Noel Coward's "Suite in Three Keys" (excellent) and I wish I'd had more time to see the other two Coward plays they were staging (with the same cast). Seats here were comfortable and they appeared to have a devoted crowd of regulars. Those folks would know what I didn't though, so here's your warning: save your drinks until post-show. The way the seating is arranged on the balcony level there is no way to get out of your seat mid-performance to, say, use the restroom. Likewise, if you arrive late you'll not be able to get to your seats if they're in the middle of a balcony row. For these instances, they allow guests to watch the show via video screen from an alternate space. You've been warned. So save the drinks until later and arrive on time. The theatre-in-the-round experience is fun and Orange Tree Theatre offers a great overall experience. read more

Made a belated first visit to this theatre the other night after knowing of it for many years. I appreciated their understated approach from the moment you walk in, with welcoming staff and not too elaborate decor in the lobby/bar area. The seating is intimate and I also received the first-time-attendee welcome note (as another reviewer noted), which is an extra positive touch that will linger in my memory. The play offered strong commitment from the actors and an energetic staging in the round. I would definitely consider attending another show here if given the chance. read more

This intimate theatre-in-the-round is a two-minute walk from the Richmond Station on the District Line, about a 40-minute trip from Leicester Square via the Underground. The auditorium has two levels, with bench seating surrounding the stage and individual seats in the one row that overlooks it. They tend to present new works by up-and-coming playwrights and often host classical concerts on Sundays. Ticket prices generally range from £9 to £19, depending upon the day and time of performance. read more

Orange Tree Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Richmond, XGL

Fantastic theatre in the round on the outskirts of london, producing high quality theatre with top actors. This season there is exclusively female playwrights, and it is well worth hopping on the district line to check it out. read more

A wonderful little theatre in the round. You sit so close to the stage and the actors use the entire theatre space that you actually feel totally immersed and part of the show in front of you. Box office and other staff are all very lovely you can tell they really care about the theatre and gives a real sense of community about it. Definitely a trip to be made if you enjoy the theatre and worthwhile if you're not a huge fan is a completely different experience to being in huge, old fashioned theatres. read more

A great experience, small and intimate, the plays are usually of high quality. You are just feet away from the actors, and the atmosphere can be very intense. You can book a ticket but not a particular seat, so worth getting there early to get a good seat when the doors open. don't be afraid to sit at the front!! read more

If you fancy going to the theatre but don't want to pay West End prices, why not take a trip to The Orange Tree in Richmond. It's a great little professional theatre in the round that puts on plays of a really high standard. They have a varied season, classic and modern, drama and comedy. The theatre actually used to be in the upstairs of the pub next door of the same name (nice pub) but it's most definitely gone up in the world since then. The cast often includes faces you'd recognise from TV and the direction is always excellent. Well worth the trip but book early as it is often a full house. read more

Great experience in an intimate setting. Excellent location a few minutes from the main train station and right next to a lovely pub joined to the theatre. Definitely somewhere that is not promoted enough. read more

The box office to the amazing little Orange Tree Theatre is just around the corner from the theatre itself. The staff are really friendly, and the theatre always has a great selection of plays on, from long-lost Edwardian pieces to a play about the London riots. The seating is unreserved, but the theatre is tiny with only a few rows so all the seats have a good view. Having said that, shows usually sell out fast so if you are thinking of seeing something there I would head to the box office and book fast. read more