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White Rock Theatre

White Rock, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1JX
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Tel+44 01424 462288

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About

The White Rock Theatre is home to some of the best live entertainment in East Sussex. It’s one of the county’s largest venues with 1066 seats and a standing capacity of over 1800. May 2022 saw the venue’s highest ever attendance for Scottish rock band, Primal Scream.
The venue strives to be a cultural asset for Hastings and the wider community, hosting a broad programme of events each year.

Situated in a commanding position on the shoreline, the White Rock Theatre’s Seaview Lounge and Circle Bar offer unbeatable views of Hastings Pier and the English Channel.
The White Rock successfully hosts a huge variety of live music, comedy, musicals, dance, sport, family shows, talk shows, school performances, festivals, competitions, exhibitions, and its famous annual pantomime.

Since 1 February 2024, The White Rock has been operated by The Guildhall Trust, a registered charity whose vision is to become one of the county’s leading cultural organisations which places its communities at the centre of everything it does. The theatre is owned by Hastings Borough Council.

 

History
 

Built on the site of the old East Sussex Hospital, the White Rock Pavilion was opened by HRH Edward, Prince of Wales in April 1927. It was built for the Hastings Municipal Orchestra and attracted world-renowned musicians. Piano luminaries like Rachmaninoff and conductors like Sir Edward Elgar performed on the White Rock stage.

Decca Records used it as recording studio while the BBC broadcast several radio concerts from there. These included three consecutive Christmas Day concerts from 1935-1937, after the King’s Speech, that were heard around the world.

The pavilion underwent a re-modification in 1937 and again in 1985 when it was renamed the White Rock Theatre. While the theatre was closed during the pandemic lockdowns, a small team of dedicated staff removed red carpet in the entrance foyer and restored the original parquet flooring underneath. The shiny floor complements the building’s other classic art deco features.


 Community Programme
 

Offering a range of versatile spaces that can be adapted to suit requirements, it’s also an ideal venue for private hires and can be used for meetings, rehearsals, workshops, conferences, parties, and celebrations. The Studio encompasses a multi-functional space, with access to The Campbell Room.

Different community groups use the building on a long-term basis including Hastings Knitters since 2017, and Active Arts (Hastings & Bexhill Mencap) for their performing and visual arts course for adults with learning disabilities.

The long-running Learning and Participation programme has given hundreds of young people in the area professional and affordable performing arts experience. The Summer Youth Project has been running since 2003; two weeks in the summer holidays for children aged 8-18 with four performances on the main stage.  

West End Experience has run workshops as an annual Easter Youth Project for ten years. Giving young people the opportunity to work with a professional choreographer, musical director, creative director, and West End stars.

For those getting their very first introduction to the arts, there’s the annual West End Weenies for ages 4-7, plus weekly classes for Tots (ages 2-4), Tiddlers (4-7), Youth Theatre (8-16), and Theatre Company (8-19).
 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket prices vary accoring to performance. See our website for details.

Map & Directions

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Accessible Lift - Lift access to all levels
  • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - (Infra-Red Hearing Support System / infra-red neck receivers available in the main auditorium for performances with microphones
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors - At front of venue
  • Wheelchair user accessible - Ramp access

Establishment Features

  • Toilets

Provider Preferences

  • In town/city centre

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)
DayTimes
Monday - Friday10:00 - 16:00*
Saturday10:00 - 14:00*
SundayClosed*

* .

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

Events

Saturday, 3rd May 2025 - Saturday, 3rd May 2025

The Big CeilidhThe Big Ceilidh at Hastings Traditional Jack in the GreenPut on your dancing shoes and bring your friends to an evening of live entertainment at The Big Ceilidh.
more info

Thursday, 8th May 2025 - Thursday, 8th May 2025

Friday, 9th May 2025 - Friday, 9th May 2025

Saturday, 10th May 2025 - Saturday, 10th May 2025

The Gang showHastings Gang ShowThe Hastings Scout Gang Show is gearing up for their biggest show ever, promising an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. With a cast of over 100 scouts from across Hastings, Rye, & District, supported by Girl Guiding – the show will feature a dynamic mix of musical performances,…
more info

Sunday, 11th May 2025 - Sunday, 11th May 2025

Photo of the bandThe SaltsThe Salts are a co-operative of seasoned musicians, creating what is fast becoming one of the most exciting and energetic folk concepts of recent times
more info

Wednesday, 14th May 2025 - Wednesday, 14th May 2025

James Taylor QuartetJTQ: The James Taylor QuartetFor more than 35 years The James Taylor Quartet have set the standard for the coolest sounds in funky acid jazz. On dozens of critically acclaimed albums and at their legendary live shows both at home and around the world, they've quietly become a byword for distinguished British creativity.
more info

Wednesday, 14th May 2025 - Wednesday, 14th May 2025

Thursday, 15th May 2025 - Thursday, 15th May 2025

Pirates love underpantsPirates Love UnderpantsJoin our swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain's Treasure chest! Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge.
more info

Friday, 16th May 2025 - Friday, 16th May 2025

The greatest hit tourT.Rextasy: The Greatest Hits TourMarc Bolan, with his band T.Rex, was one of the most flamboyant and charismatic stars of the original glam rock era. With Bolan's special ingredient of Rock-a-Boogie songs, the band had a string of huge hits throughout the 1970s including 'I Love to Boogie', 'Telegram Sam', 'Jeepster', 'Bang a Gong…
more info

Saturday, 17th May 2025 - Saturday, 17th May 2025

Brian Bilston & Henry NormalBrian Bilston & Henry NormalBrian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together for the first time in a show which one critic has described as "two people reading some poems".
more info

Wednesday, 21st May 2025 - Wednesday, 21st May 2025

Thursday, 22nd May 2025 - Thursday, 22nd May 2025

Friday, 23rd May 2025 - Friday, 23rd May 2025

Saturday, 24th May 2025 - Saturday, 24th May 2025

Everyone's talking about JamieHastleons present Everybody's Talking About JamieThis amateur production of EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd, www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
more info

Sunday, 25th May 2025 - Sunday, 25th May 2025

Retro RendevousRetro Rendevous presents UKG & DNB By the SeaRetro Rendevous is the ultimate throwback rave, bringing the best of garage and drum & bass to the dancefloor. Get ready for a night of heavy basslines, skippy garage beats, and high energy sets from a stacked line up of DJs and MCs who know how to keep the vibe alive.
more info

Wednesday, 28th May 2025 - Wednesday, 28th May 2025

The ManfredsThe Manfreds: Keeping it Live in '25Considered to be one of the best live bands on the touring circuit, The Manfreds, featuring original Manfred Mann members Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness, are excited to be returning to some of their favourite, more intimate, venues in 2025.
more info

Thursday, 29th May 2025 - Thursday, 29th May 2025

Dinosaur that pooped cartoon posterThe Dinosaur That Pooped: A Rock Show!When Danny and Dino's favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan
more info

Saturday, 31st May 2025 - Saturday, 31st May 2025

Country Superstars
more info

Thursday, 5th June 2025 - Thursday, 5th June 2025

One Night of Adele
more info

What's Nearby

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