If you are booking tickets to see Myra DuBois Be Well at the Peacock Theatre, the most important thing to know is this: the Peacock Theatre is not a typical West End house. It is a former cinema converted into a live performance space, which creates specific quirks in sightlines, acoustics, and access. This guide covers exactly what to expect, how to choose your seats, and what travel logistics matter most.
What Makes the Peacock Theatre Different from Other West End Venues
The Peacock Theatre sits on Portugal Street, just off Kingsway, in the Aldwych district. It operates as part of the Sadler’s Wells network but functions as a receiving house for commercial runs, comedy tours, and dance productions. For Be Well, the space will be configured in its standard proscenium-arch layout with approximately 999 seats across three levels: Stalls, Dress Circle, and Upper Circle.
The key difference is the rake. The Stalls floor is relatively flat compared to newer theatres. If you are shorter than 5’6″, rows G through L in the Stalls can mean staring at the back of someone’s head. The Dress Circle offers a steeper rake and generally better sightlines for the price.
Acoustically, the Peacock was designed for amplified sound. Myra DuBois’s show relies heavily on microphone work and backing tracks. The sound system is clear throughout, but the Upper Circle can feel slightly distant — you will hear everything, but you lose the intimacy of the comedian’s facial expressions.
Verdict: If you can afford the £10–£15 premium, choose the Dress Circle, rows A–C. If budget is tight, Stalls rows A–E are fine. Avoid Stalls rows J–M and Upper Circle rows G–H unless you are tall or don’t mind leaning forward.
Seating Strategy: Where to Sit for a Comedy Show
Comedy shows demand a different seating strategy than musicals or plays. You need to see the performer’s face clearly, because timing and micro-expressions are half the joke.
Best seats for sightlines
Dress Circle, rows A–C, seats 101–115 (center block). These seats put you at eye level with the stage, about 15–20 meters back. You will see Myra’s entire body and the small set pieces used in Be Well. The price is typically £45–£55.
Best value seats
Stalls, rows C–E, seats 1–8 (left block) or 25–32 (right block). These are side seats but close enough to the stage (row E is about 8 meters from the front edge) that you still catch facial expressions. Expect to pay £30–£40.
Seats to avoid
Upper Circle, rows E–H, seats 40–60 (far sides). The angle is severe — you will see mostly the side of the stage and the back wall. At £20–£25, they are cheap, but you will miss roughly 30% of the visual comedy. If your budget is that tight, consider a different performance date when Stalls or Dress Circle seats are available at a discount.
Failure mode: The most common complaint on theatre forums is buying “restricted view” seats without checking the specific obstruction. At the Peacock, “restricted view” usually means a pillar blocks part of the stage. Seats in Stalls row L, seats 10–15, have a pillar directly in line with the center stage. Do not buy these for a comedy show.
Getting to the Peacock Theatre: Transport Options Ranked
The Peacock Theatre is in central London, but not right on a major tube station. Here is how to get there, ranked by convenience for a visitor.
- Tube: Temple Station (District and Circle lines) — 5-minute walk. Exit onto Temple Place, walk east along the Strand, turn right onto Portugal Street. This is the closest station. Be aware: Temple has no step-free access from platform to street. If you use a wheelchair or have heavy luggage, this is not your stop.
- Tube: Holborn Station (Central and Piccadilly lines) — 10-minute walk. Step-free from platform to street via the lift. Walk south on Kingsway, turn left onto Portugal Street. This is the best option for anyone with mobility concerns.
- Bus: Routes 1, 59, 68, 168, 188, 521 — Stop at Aldwych. 2-minute walk to the theatre. Buses run 24 hours on most routes. This is the best option if you are staying south of the river or in the West End.
- Taxi/rideshare — Drop-off point is directly outside the theatre on Portugal Street. Expect £10–£15 from Covent Garden, £20–£30 from Paddington. Avoid during peak traffic (5–7 PM) as Portugal Street gets gridlocked.
- Walking from Covent Garden — 10 minutes via Catherine Street and the Strand. Pleasant walk, well-lit, plenty of pre-theatre restaurants.
Verdict for travelers: If you are staying in Bloomsbury or Holborn, walk. If you are coming from South Kensington or Victoria, take the tube to Holborn. If you are coming from Waterloo, take the bus — it is faster than changing tubes.
Common Mistakes Travelers Make When Booking
Three mistakes show up repeatedly in reviews and forum posts. Avoid these.
Mistake 1: Booking the cheapest available seat without checking the view. The Peacock Theatre’s website uses a dynamic pricing model. The cheapest seats (£20–£25) are almost always in the Upper Circle, far sides, or behind a pillar. For Be Well, which includes physical comedy and crowd work, these seats will leave you frustrated. Spend the extra £10 for a mid-range seat.
Mistake 2: Assuming the 7:30 PM start time means doors open at 7:30. Doors open 45 minutes before the performance. If you arrive at 7:25, you will queue, miss the pre-show announcement, and potentially disrupt other audience members finding their seats. Aim to arrive by 7:00 PM.
Mistake 3: Not checking the running time before booking dinner. Be Well runs approximately 2 hours including a 20-minute interval. If you book a 7:30 PM show, you will leave the theatre around 9:45 PM. Many nearby restaurants (Joe Allen, The Ivy, Rules) hold tables for theatre-goers but require you to book by 10:00 PM. Plan accordingly.
What to Expect from ‘Be Well’ as a Traveler
Myra DuBois Be Well at the Peacock Theatre is a one-woman comedy show with a narrative arc about wellness, self-care, and the absurdity of modern health culture. Myra DuBois (the stage persona of performer Gareth Joyner) uses a mix of stand-up, character comedy, and audience interaction.
For travelers unfamiliar with the character: Myra is a “grief counselor” and self-help guru who is deeply, comically unqualified. The show includes audience participation — if you sit in the front two rows of the Stalls, expect to be addressed directly. This is not hostile comedy; Myra’s style is warm but sharp. If you are shy, sit further back.
Content note: The show contains strong language, discussions of mental health (satirically), and some sexual references. It is rated 16+ by the venue. This is not a show for children or those easily offended by irreverent treatment of wellness culture.
Failure mode for international visitors: British comedy relies heavily on cultural references. Myra DuBois’s material includes specific jokes about NHS waiting lists, British television presenters, and regional accents. If you are visiting from outside the UK and are not familiar with British pop culture, you will miss roughly 20–30% of the references. The physical comedy and character work still land, but manage your expectations.
When NOT to See This Show (Alternatives and Tradeoffs)
This section is for travelers who are wondering whether Be Well is the right choice for their London trip. Sometimes, the answer is no.
Don’t see this show if:
- You prefer traditional West End musicals or plays. Be Well is a comedy show, not a theatrical production. There is no orchestra, no elaborate set changes, and no dance numbers. If you want spectacle, book Wicked or The Lion King instead.
- You are bringing children under 16. The content is not appropriate, and the venue will not admit unaccompanied minors.
- You have severe mobility issues and booked Stalls seats. The Stalls at the Peacock require navigating stairs. There is step-free access to the Dress Circle via a lift, but you must request this when booking. Do not assume.
- You are on a tight schedule and need to leave London early the next morning. The show ends around 9:45 PM, and the area is busy with post-theatre crowds. If you need to catch a train from Euston or King’s Cross before 10:30 PM, you will be rushing.
Alternatives in the same price range: If Be Well is sold out or doesn’t fit your schedule, consider Six at the Vaudeville Theatre (same area, similar ticket prices, more spectacle) or The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre (physical comedy, less cultural reference dependency for international visitors).
Cost Breakdown: What You Will Actually Pay
Here is a realistic cost estimate for one person attending Be Well at the Peacock Theatre, based on 2026 prices.
| Item | Low Estimate | Mid Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theatre ticket (Dress Circle, center) | £35 | £50 | £65 |
| Booking fee (online, per ticket) | £3 | £5 | £8 |
| Pre-theatre dinner (pub or casual) | £15 | £25 | £40 |
| Drink at interval (glass of wine) | £7 | £9 | £12 |
| Transport (tube from zone 1-2) | £3 | £5 | £8 |
| Total | £63 | £94 | £133 |
Key takeaway: The ticket price is only half the cost. Budget for dinner and transport. If you are on a strict budget, eat at a Pret a Manger or Leon on the Strand (£8–£12) and skip the interval drink. That brings the total to around £50.
Final Comparison: Peacock Theatre vs. Other Comedy Venues
If you are deciding between seeing Be Well at the Peacock or catching a different comedy show at another London venue, here is how they compare.
| Venue | Capacity | Average Ticket Price | Best For | Worst For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peacock Theatre | 999 | £40–£55 | Big-name touring comedians, clear sightlines from Dress Circle | Intimate comedy, restricted-view seats in Stalls |
| Soho Theatre | 140–200 | £15–£25 | Up-and-coming acts, audience interaction, cheap tickets | Comfort (seats are cramped), legroom |
| Leicester Square Theatre | 400 | £25–£40 | Mid-tier touring acts, good bar, central location | Sound quality in upper balcony |
| Apollo Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue) | 775 | £35–£60 | West End comedians, historic venue, good rake in Stalls | Queue for bar at interval, pricey drinks |
Bottom line: For Be Well specifically, the Peacock Theatre is a solid choice. The show is big enough to fill the space, and the production design uses the full stage width. If you want a more intimate comedy experience, wait until Myra DuBois tours to smaller venues. But for a guaranteed good night out in central London with a clear view and decent acoustics, the Peacock delivers.
