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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.
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.
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).
Ticket prices vary accoring to performance. See our website for details.
| Season (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Friday | 10:00 | - 16:00* |
| Saturday | 10:00 | - 14:00* |
| Sunday | Closed* | |
* .
Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change
The Addams Family – A New Musical ComedyJoin us for THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, brought to life by a talented cast of local young performers
Genesis ConnectedCelebrating the music of Genesis and the biggest selling acts connected: Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, and Mike + the Mechanics, this show has an incredible mix of material, from atmospheric anthems to chart toppers.
Throwing MusesFor there first tour since 2011, Kristin Hersh brings the Throwing Muses live show to Europe in 2025.
The DualersFrom their early days of busking on the streets of South East London, to headlining the OVO Arena Wembley, The Dualers have built up a massive following of fans all around the world.
Ploughing the Salt SeaAfter sell-out shows at the Stables Theatre and a coastal tour, Bev is bringing the show back again to its Hastings roots with some exciting new material as the show continues to evolve through further research and development.
Just RadioheadJust Radiohead are the UK's leading Radiohead tribute band, replicating and performing the astonishing music of one the nation's most influential, versatile, and talented bands.
Luke Combs UKGet ready to experience the heart and soul of country music as we pay homage to one of the genre's biggest stars. Join us for a night of incredible songs, authentic Southern vibes, and a whole lot of boot-stomping fun.
The Rheingans SistersThe Rheingans Sisters' new album Start Close In was released in September 2024 to enthusiastic acclaim; The Guardian declaring it Folk Album of the Month – "a radical leap into darkness" – and MOJO Magazine hailing it one of the Top 10 Folk Albums of 2024.
As the Snow FallsThis powerful comedic drama examines the shifting social landscape and its impact on an often over-looked demographic.
The Beast UK '86-87 Somewhere on Tour' Experience – Iron Maiden TributeThe Beast UK have taken the Iron Maiden tribute scene by storm! Amassing over 14,000 followers and over 2,000,000 views across social platforms.
Moving Pictures – A Tribute to Rush2025 is the 10th anniversary of Rush's last ever tour – R40 (which never came to Europe) – when they played a retrospective covering their entire back catalogue. Moving Pictures will bring you that same retrospective as part of their UK, EU, and Canadian tour in 2025.
Think Floyd: Wish You Were Here at 50Think Floyd's 2025 tour celebrates the 50th anniversary of Wish You Were Here. This brand new production will feature a complete performance of the iconic album, as well as the whole range of classic Pink Floyd from The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, The Division Bell, and more.
GALA CONCERT with the ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRAHastings International Piano presents what promises to be the highlight of the season: a Gala Concert with one of the world's best orchestras, the Royal Philharmonic, conducted by Scott Dunn, and two prizewinners from the 2024 competition, Curtis Phill Hsu and Harmony Zhu.
We Are Not DevoThe UK's only DEVO tribute act.
What we do is what we do.
An Evening of Francis Rossi's Songs from the Status Quo Songbook and More…Francis Rossi is extending his forthcoming tour of the UK with new dates added in 2025. These shows will feature songs that he has never played before in this format and offer first hand backstage tales about appearing over 100 times on Top Of The Pops, why they went on first at Live Aid, life with…
What's Love Got To Do With It?After a fantastic sell out debut tour across the UK, Tina Turner fans will have the time of their lives as What's Love Got To Do With It? is back for 2024 celebrating the music and 60-year career of this incredible rock and soul legend.
Hello Again – The Neil Diamond SongbookCelebrating 60 Diamond Years, the smash hit show HELLO AGAIN is back in 2025 with a brand-new, mind-blowing production – it's the world's greatest celebration and tribute to the life and work of NEIL DIAMOND.
Gordon Giltrap and John Etheridge – 2 Parts GuitarAfter the success of their 2024 tour, guitar supremos Gordon Giltrap MBE and John Etheridge join forces again and return for an unforgettable evening of top class musicianship performed by two of the UK's most respected and influential musicians.
ABBA ForeverABBA Forever are recognised as one of the best live recreations of ABBA Live in Concert and theatre audiences worldwide have long enjoyed this superb recreation of possibly the world's greatest pop band
Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup of TeaJosh Widdicombe is back on tour, not again! By now he has almost certainly mastered the art of stand-up, either that or he has wasted the last 15 years of his life
Lou Conran: GOOCHAfter a UK sell-out run in 2024, and New Zealand in 2025, award-winning comedian, Lou Conran, returns with her new show "Gooch".
From Big CountryMark Brzezicki joined Big Country in 1981 and continues the sound and spirit of the band along with Simon Hough, Big Country's vocalist for over a decade, Gil Allan, Big Country and Skids bassist, and Ken Nicol on guitar.
Graham Nash – More Evenings Of Songs & Stories with Special Guest Peter AsherGraham Nash, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and GRAMMY Award winner, will perform songs spanning his sixty-year career from The Hollies to Crosby, Stills and Nash, to CSNY, and his beloved solo career.
Country by CandlelightCalling all country music fans… we've got a show guaranteed to heal your Achy Breaky Heart! Country By Candlelight is finally here, so it's time to pour yourself a cup of ambition and get ready to dance the night away!
Songbirds – Celebrating The Greatest Female Vocalists of All TimeJoin one of the world's finest social media singers for an unforgettable night, celebrating the greatest female vocalists of all time, as she debuts her brand new show in Hastings.
The ELO ShowThe world's greatest tribute to Jeff Lynne and ELO are back on the road in 2025 with a stunning new production, featuring a band of amazing musicians complemented by a female string section, playing hit after hit from ELO's vast back catalogue.
Jo Whiley's 90s AnthemsJo Whiley is quite simply the ultimate authority on British music – and the voice and face of a generation is headed your way with a dazzling new show as she rummages through her record bag to dig out the very best of 90s Anthems.
Special Kinda MadnessSpecial Kinda Madness will be performing a set of classic Madness songs as well as a set of The Specials best hits in this great night of ska and two-tone.
Mark Smith: The Story of the Victoria CrossIt is the nation's highest military honour, awarded only to the bravest of the brave. Now, hear the full story of the Victoria Cross from the Antiques Roadshow's Medals and Militaria expert, Mark Smith.
Pop Princesses – World TourThis is the children's pop concert with a big difference. The four fabulous fairy tale Princesses are back, and this time they are on their first World Tour! Come and join them on this epic around-the-globe show.
The BreathConnolly is a storyteller and their exquisitely crafted, honest, personal, heartfelt songs are as likely to touch on childhood summers and first love as cultural dislocation, post- colonial injustices and grief.
OktoberfestJoin us for beer, pretzels, bratwurst and music inspired by everyone's favourite Bavarian festival. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere featuring a live oompah band, and toast to good times. Prost!
Classic Seger: Bob Seger's Greatest Hits LiveGet ready for that "Old Time Rock & Roll" as Classic Seger brings the ultimate salute to Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band to Hastings White Rock on Sunday 2 November.
Ed Patrick: Catch Your BreathNHS anaesthetist, comedian and author (oooooh check him) Ed Patrick injects Hastings with a gut-punch hilarious show about becoming a junior doctor, the NHS, the pitfalls of modern medicine and the power of questioning it.
Kevin Bloody WilsonIt's been more than 40 years since Kevin Bloody Wilson dropped his very first album – the one that went quadruple platinum and cemented him as a musical comedy icon!
The Legends of DragJoin Cherry in the forgotten attic of drag as she celebrates the drag legends that came before her. Buckle up and get ready to travel back in time as early as 1604 when drag first started to emerge.
Bad MannersKnown for their unforgettable performances and iconic frontman Buster Bloodvessel, the band has been a mainstay of the ska scene since bursting onto the charts and joining the dance-craze film Dance Craze in the 80s.
A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites IlluminatedMEGA Events UK presents an immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema's most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by a stunning light show!
MichaelⓇ Starring BenMichaelⓇ Starring Ben is a hit theatre production starring the UK's ultimate Michael Jackson tribute star, Ben Bowman. Not only does he look and sound like the King of Pop, but he's honed his routine so carefully that audiences truly believe they are watching Michael Jackson himself.
Helen Bauer – Bless HerHelen is back and is struggling. She has spent the last year being forced to hang out with someone she doesn't like and who honestly does not like her. It's tense, it's uncomfortable, they won't leave.
The Black Ball Final – 40th AnniversaryAn Evening with Snooker Greats Steve Davis & Dennis Taylor – Recreating the 1985 World Championship Final, (with host & referee John Virgo)
Presented by AIM Sports and MHM Group
Martin McAloon of Prefab SproutTo celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of Prefab Sprout's seminal album Steve McQueen, founding member Martin McAloon will be touring the whole album in 2025.
Desiree Burch: The Golden WrathAuthentic, curious, and gleefully irascible, storyteller and comedian Desiree Burch leads a madcap voyage through the Middle Ages – AKA the mid-life crisis, and its mandatory metamorphosis – in her new stand-up hour.
Jason Manford: A Manford All SeasonsJason Manford is back with his brand-new live show – A Manford All Seasons. Jason's been busy since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn't changed a bit.
The Amy Winehouse BandAmy Winehouse's original band, led by her long-term Musical Director/bass player and close friend Dale Davis, celebrate her era-defining global music and live performances, keeping her spirit and legacy and the Amy Winehouse sound alive in a true connection only possible by Amy's original band.
The Simon & Garfunkel StoryFew shows have experienced the phenomenal global success of The Simon & Garfunkel Story, with multiple sold-out shows in over 50-countries worldwide and over 20 headline performances in London's West End, including multiple appearances at the world-famous London Palladium.
Buddy Holly & The Cricketers – Holly at ChristmasBuddy Holly and the Cricketers once again herald in the Yuletide festivities with Holly at Christmas, the show that is now as traditional as mulled wine and mince pies!
Slade – The Final TourWith Slade's unique blend of pop and rock'n'roll, outrageous flamboyance, pure fun, and no less than 23 Top 20 singles, they have become a firm favourite in the hearts of pop fans all over the world.
John Illsley – The Life and Times of Dire StraitsIn this intimate and entertaining evening, John will reflect on his life in music – from the early days of the band, to global superstardom, to the wild ride that followed.A world-renowned international piano competition.
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