The White Rock Theatre welcomed over 250 visitors through its doors on 21 September for a lively open day full of free workshops, performances, and behind-the-scenes magic – a clear sign of the theatre’s ongoing commitment to supporting the town’s cultural life.

The day featured everything from singing and dancing workshops with Lesley Van Edmond, Evie Dawes and Emily Vidler, to an energetic ‘Potted Panto’ performance with Ben Watson (aka Silly Simon from this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk).

The theatre was alive with creativity. Local performers took the mic in The Base, hosted by Steve Didge. Elsewhere, guests could paint with salt and watercolours, crafting shell reliefs with clay, or painting to live music – thanks to two visiting partners: Hastings Contemporary, who brought a taste of their Pearls of the Sea project, and Hastings International Piano, promoting their Sounds of Creativity initiative.

For theatre-lovers (or the merely curious), backstage tours and sound-and-lighting desk demonstrations gave a rare glimpse behind the curtain, led by the venue’s expert tech team.

There was plenty for families too, with a Jack and the Beanstalk-themed treasure hunt, a children’s craft zone full of seed mosaics, colouring sheets (with a growing paper beanstalk) and a competition to win afternoon tea at the venue.

“The day was a brilliant success,” said venue director Nadine Passley. “Days like this give us the chance not only to share what’s special about the White Rock, but also to listen to people about what they’d love to see from their local venue.”

With more open days planned, White Rock Theatre continues to show its commitment to creativity, community, and collaboration with Hastings’ unique and wide-ranging arts scene.