White Rock Theatre

White Rock, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1JX

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White Rock Theatre

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.

A refurbishment in 2019 and installation of flat-floor seating in the auditorium gave the White Rock added flexibility. It successfully hosts a huge variety of live music, comedy, musicals, dance, sport, plays, family shows, talk shows, school performances, festivals, competitions, exhibitions, and its famous annual pantomime.
 

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 Sussex 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 Creative Learning, Youth & Community 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).

The White Rock Theatre is owned by Hastings Borough Council and managed by Trafalgar Theatres.
 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

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

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      87
    • Very Good
      71
    • Average
      28
    • Poor
      13
    • Terrible
      17

    Recent Reviews:

    • Clarkey1770
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Terrible Experience
      1 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 8th June 2023
      Arrived at the Theatre at 10am for the ‘In the Night Garden Live’ only to be told on arrival that the show was cancelled due to ‘technical difficulties’. Absolutely no notice given, I do understand... Read full review
    • Toni G
      Crap venue - Let the dancers down
      2 of 5 stars
      Friday, 22nd September 2023
      We visited the theatre last night for a performance of swan lake ballet and it was most disappointing. The seats were so uncomfortable, the back was rock hard with no padding at all, luckily it was... Read full review
    • Vicky P
      venue dated and seemed to be unsafe
      2 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 28th September 2023
      awful venue . Crowded single exit only from upstairs. No safety curtain used during show . Toilets on landing helped to cause congestion as people were leaving. Read full review

    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 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)
    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

    Friday, 15th December 2023 - Sunday, 31st December 2023

    Poster for CinderellaCinderellaThis year's much-loved Christmas Panto at the White Rock Theatre Hastings.
    more info

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