Theatre in Eastbourne

Built in 1883, making it the oldest theatre in town, the 500-seat Victorian Royal Hippodrome theatre has amazing acoustics, thanks to its previous life as an opera house. It now puts on a wide range of shows, including family theatre, musicals, live music, pantomimes and more. During its early 20th-century heyday, the theatre welcomed big names like Harry Houdini, Charlie Chaplin and Gracie Fields onto its stage, while post-war names like Bruce Forsyth and Norman Wisdom helped keep the theatre popular. It sadly fell into decline until the start of this century when it underwent an extensive refurbishment, bringing it into line with other historic theatres. It is once again a shining entertainment light on the south coast, putting on comedy, live music, musicals, family events and more. And, located near the beach and the Arndale Centre, it makes for a historic landmark a short walk from our Town Centre hotel.

The Devonshire Park Theatre dates back to 1884 and is a 936-capacity theatre that hosts a wide range of shows, including musicals, dance acts, comedy, live music and more. A short walk from the seafront, the Grade II listed building is beautifully decorated inside, making it one of the best-preserved Victorian theatres in the UK. Partially designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham, the theatre has an active events schedule, including opera, musicals, cutting-edge plays, family events and children’s theatre. It’s handily located near the Winter Garden and the Towner Art Gallery, creating a small cultural quarter in Eastbourne.

The largest theatre in Eastbourne, the Congress Theatre can seat up to 1,689 guests. Built in 1963, it’s also the most modern theatre in town, and puts on West End musicals and plays, ballet, opera, comedy, live music and more. It’s currently closed for renovation, however, and due to re-open in 2019.

Just next door to the Devonshire is the Winter Garden, a multi-purpose two-room venue that’s currently undergoing a £49 million redevelopment project, again due to open in 2019.