Raked Stages

A sloping stage which is raised at the back (upstage) end. Many theatres with a ‘stalls’ seating area used to be built with raked stages as a matter of course. Today, the stage is often left flat and the auditorium is lifted to stage level and above to improve the view of the stage from all seats. A rake is expressed as a ratio (eg a 1:25 rake rises by 1cm vertically over 25cm horizontally).

UK Theatres with Raked Stages

See below for London / West End.
List under construction – please Contact Us with additions!

UK London/West End Theatres with Raked Stages

Arts: 1:20
Aldwych: 1:18 (or 1:24 – to be clarified)
Barbican Theatre: 1:15 (removable)
Duke of Yorks: 1:70
Garrick: 1:24 (or 1:30 – to be clarified)
Gielgud: 1:48
Hackney Empire: 1:31
Harold Pinter: 1:29
Haymarket Theatre Royal: 1:16
Novello Theatre: Slight rake
Old Vic: 1:16 (or 1:22 – to be clarified)
Palace: 1:24
Sondheim Theatre (Queens): 1:24
Richmond Theatre: 1:24
Sadler’s Wells: 1:54
Savoy: 1:120
Steiner Theatre: Slight rake
Theatre Royal Stratford East: 1:24
Theatre Royal Drury Lane (was 1:24) removed in 2020/1 refurbishment
Vaudeville: 1:24
Victoria Palace: 1:24
Westminster: 1:96
Wimbledon Theatre: 1:32