The scheme will offer free or heavily subsidised tickets to a wide range of live cultural events at the venue, including comedy, pantomime, classical music, rock and pop concerts. Through this initiative, the White Rock will provide access to its live entertainment programme to socially and economically disadvantaged communities within Hastings and the wider area.

“Our goal is to break down barriers to cultural engagement,” says Nadine Passley, Venue Director at the White Rock. “We’re excited to connect with community groups and offer opportunities to those who might not otherwise get the chance to see some of the incredible comedy, music and entertainment we have at the venue.”

The Tickets for the Community scheme will allocate tickets through a ballot system. Shows eligible for the scheme will be identified throughout the year, and selected community groups will be notified when tickets are available. To join the programme, interested groups must have a senior director or manager register interest by completing a simple application form. If successful, groups will receive updates about available events and further details about the ticket ballot process.

The venue is currently accepting applications, with the scheme starting for selected groups in September, and benefits lasting for one year. The closing date for applications for this first cycle of the scheme is Friday 22 August 2025.

For more information about Tickets for the Community or to apply, visit whiterocktheatre.org.uk or contact box.office@whiterocktheatre.org.uk / 01424 462280.

The first event was a three-day schools’ dance show, Time to Dance, starting on Monday 5 February. Upcoming programming includes full hosting of the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition starting next Thursday 22 February with finals on 1 and 2 March; the overlapping Hastings Musical Festival which runs for three weeks from Monday 26 February culminating in a Festival Finale Concert on 17 March; a series of comedy gigs from seasoned performers including Jo Brand, Al Murray, Frank Skinner, Ben Elton, Jimmy Carr and John Bishop; and live music from, among others, Kid Kapichi, Jools Holland and the London African Gospel Choir.

Nadine Passley, the theatre’s Venue Director – prominent in a green dress in our launch party picture – commented: “We are really excited for the future of the White Rock. The Guildhall Trust’s vision and values resonate with what we have already been achieving with our Youth Theatre and community programme, so we can’t wait to see how this is expanded. The Trust has exciting plans for the venue in terms of how it wants to develop the programme, the studio space and new events it wants to bring to Hastings, including Dance Live! and a Games Fest.”

Potential audience members are encouraged to support the venue by creating a customer account to stay up to date with latest news and offers. There will be a new ticketing system, powered by EVENTIM.Inhouse, to manage bookings and update contact preferences online.