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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
Hastings Beatles DayHastings Beatles Day is back, celebrating its 26th year!
Hejira: Celebrating the Music of Joni MitchellExpect an evening of the 'great' songs from Mitchell's back catalogue, such as 'Amelia', 'Woodstock', 'A Case Of You', 'Song For Sharon', 'Edith And The Kingpin' and more.
Rude Science LiveBrace yourselves for BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates' revolutionary, high-tech, highly-explosive new show, packed with outrageous science stunts. On the surface it's a riot of disgusting experiments built to delight young audiences but under the bonnet it's a brilliantly-constructed curriculum-driven…
Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez: SPEAKEASYStrictly Come Dancing professionals Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are thrilled to bring their all-new show SPEAKEASY to theatres in 2025. Expect exhilarating live music and breath-taking choreography with Karen and Gorka's newest offering, which follows their debut tour FIREDANCE.
The Wizard of Oz – A Pantomime AdventureFor the perfect Easter treat, Polka Dot Pantomimes' sparkling new adaption of The Wizard of Oz lands on stage in Hastings. With CBBC and Strictly star, Karim Zeroual, joining the cast of as The Scarecrow!
The Bootleg BeatlesWhat better time to celebrate the songs not just from the soundtracks of these two iconic motion pictures, but from all five in their catalogue? Featuring hits from A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, and Let it Be, The Bootleg Beatles and their orchestra will take…
Jamali Maddix: AstonCritically acclaimed comedian Jamali Maddix is back on the road with a brand new tour show: Aston.
Expect Jamali's trademark brutally honest and unflinching perspectives on the world at large. His last tours have sold-out shows across the globe, playing the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North…
Lucy & Friends by Lucy McCormickLucy McCormick is back with her most ambitious medium-concept queer cabaret spectacular. In a despairing world, Lucy attempts to create community and connection the only way she knows how- through a chaotic mix of pole dancing, cat impersonation, a clairvoyant and some quick re-working of social…
Rumours of Fleetwood MacPersonally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll's most remarkable groups.
Danny Baker: Aye Aye! Ahoy Hoy!Aye aye! Ahoy hoy! The unstoppable talking panjandrum is back in town! Celebrating 50 years afloat on the showbiz seas! Dead men tell no tales – so might as well get em all told now!
LOL Comedy ClubCome and see the best in live stand-up with comedians from such shows as Channel 4's Taskmaster, BBC2's Mock The Week, Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC One's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, and more. Plus the best of the rest from around the world.
New Moon BreathworkJoin Rachel for gently guided somatic movement and restorative breathwork practice to drop into your body, ignite your inner power, and feel the liberating sensations of being alive. We'll begin with some nourishing movement to release the old month and then settle down for a guided journey with…
An Evening with Jimmy TarbuckAfter more than 60 years at the very top of his profession Jimmy Tarbuck OBE relives many of the most iconic moments of a life on stage and screen.
The 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.
Hastings 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,…
JTQ: 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.
Pirates 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.
Pirates Love UnderpantsJoin our swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain's Treasure chest!
T.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…
Brian 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".
Hastleons 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
Retro 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.
The 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.
The 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 planA world-renowned international piano competition.
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