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
      11
    • Terrible
      16

    Recent Reviews:

    • jenniferwP241YN
      Nottingham, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Excellent customer service
      4 of 5 stars
      Friday, 9th September 2022
      We were in Hastings on holiday. You cannot miss the theatre as it is right on the seafront. There is certainly some interesting acts coming, but there was nothing that took our fancy when we were in... Read full review
    • fernleighkent
      Margate, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Intimate venue
      4 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 12th October 2022
      Theatre is impressive from outside but felt a little smaller inside than expected, however that meant it had a far more intimate feeling. It's an old theatre and the only negative is the seats are a... Read full review
    • kathryn W
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      Enjoyed the Proclaimers
      4 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 17th May 2023
      The proclaimers Sunday 14th May. 11 friends booked it was a good night. Facilities at the theatre were fab not too crowded to get a drink at the bar..which was in desperate need of after hearing the... 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

    Special Offers

    • The White Rock Theatre Bistro Cafe - 10% discount with the 1066 Card. More details: www.towncitycards.com

      1066 Discount Card - redeem this special offer immediately

      More offers like this - 1066 Discount Card

    Events

    Saturday, 16th September 2023 - Saturday, 16th September 2023

    Collage poster for steampunk festival. Text in main description.Hastings Steampunk "Flight of the jabberwocky" 2023A not to be missed steampunk extravaganza at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings.
    more info

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    1066 Country of Origin Original by nature
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