Congress Theatre
Latest Reviews
Attended a 3 day conference here. Superb, everything you needed under one roof, close to all amenities. Less than 5 minutes from the beach and an array of resturants.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Superb show- although I was there in a professional capacity as Brendan's official show photographer. But still it was a superb show and the theatre had a great atmosphere .The staff were friendly and excellent throughout the afternoon and evening :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Loved birds of a feather show.
Source: google.com
Loved birds of a feather show.
Source: google.com
Have been to a lot of shows here this year and still some more to come. Recently went to see The Hollies, what a fantastic show that was, forgot how many hit records they had done. My only complaint about this theatre is I wish they would update the seats, can get a bit hard after sitting there for a few hours
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wanted to see Jane McDonald while on a recent break in Eastbourne. Very efficient booking system over the internet. Reasonable prices. Very comfortable seating and sound system. Good location and easy to get to. Disabled fascilities in to the theatre area via lifts if required. The staff were very pleasant and keen to assist. Only dislike was that there was work being done on the front which made it a little traffic congested at times. Spoiled the look of the exterior but the inside can not be faulted.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Congress Theatre was undergoing external renovation and it is surrounded with scaffolding and plastic sheets. However, the inside of the venue was well laid out and the facilities were excellent for large groups of delegates. There were over 500 delegates at this conference. The main auditorium was spacious and the seating was very comfortable. All the seating in the auditorium provide a good view of the stage. There are no pillars obscuring the view of the stage. The quality of the sound was excellent - the speeches during the day and the rock and roll concert in the evening were supported by very good audio systems. The lighting was also very good. On the last evening of the conference, there was a balck tie dance in the Winter Gardens and this venue was able to cope with the seating requirments of the whole conference. The dance floor was also large enough for this event. A fantastic.venue for hosting a large conference.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I love this Theatre, and have seen many shows there over a period of forty years. As well as Icecreams,Tea and Coffee is served in the interval. Recently saw Will Young in ´Caberet´- Utterly fanastic. The cast, the scenery F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My very first opera so nothing to compare it with. The seats in the Congress are comfortable and most (but not all) have a decent view of the stage
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A good theatre, although it lacks the atmosphere and 'real theatre' feel. Gets some excellent shows and a good variety. Attendance is very variable. This time I went to the Mousetrap (fantastic performance) and it was a complete sell out on a Thursday evening. Other shows have had a very poor attendance, to the point that it feels embarrassing for the cast. Children are well catered for, with seat wedges always available for them to be able to see. Parking can be difficult, so it is always advisable to arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I really enjoyed a fantastic performance of Jersey Nights, which got the mainly grey haired audience joining in with the fun of the show. The four main singers were great, even when one of them started a song in the wrong key and they had to start it again, having had a laugh about it and exclaiming' well it is live theatre!' All the cast were great, and the dancing was good, and the two young women sang well too. It was just a show of songs mainly of Franki Valli, but with one or two others from Motown etc. A great couple of hours entertainment.
I prefer the raised stalls because the view is unrestricted from there, but I usually have to book early to get these seats. I wanted to use Eastbourne theatre vouchers to pay for my ticket but I think you can only use these if you book in person at the theatre and I was booking online. I may be wrong. As with anywhere, the best seats go early, and I object to paying the same price as someone in the front row, to sit in side stalls or towards the back. I also object to the 'booking fee' of £1 added to every ticket ( unless you buy over 6 I think), which goes directly to the theatre. Well I can't see what they spend this money on, as the scaffolding has been up on the front of the theatre for years now, and I've known little freestanding heaters in the bar area in the winter! The place has an abandoned feel to it. When I book a train ticket at the station I do not have to pay a booking fee on top of my ticket price.
Having said that, the Congress hosts some very good shows and I'm pleased to be able to go somewhere within walking distance (or a short taxi ride) of the railway station.
I also recently enjoyed Priscilla Queen of the Desert here, and I am certain to find something else from the planned programme to come.
It's a facility which needs investing in! Ticket prices can only go so high.
I prefer the raised stalls because the view is unrestricted from there, but I usually have to book early to get these seats. I wanted to use Eastbourne theatre vouchers to pay for my ticket but I think you can only use these if you book in person at the theatre and I was booking online. I may be wrong. As with anywhere, the best seats go early, and I object to paying the same price as someone in the front row, to sit in side stalls or towards the back. I also object to the 'booking fee' of £1 added to every ticket ( unless you buy over 6 I think), which goes directly to the theatre. Well I can't see what they spend this money on, as the scaffolding has been up on the front of the theatre for years now, and I've known little freestanding heaters in the bar area in the winter! The place has an abandoned feel to it. When I book a train ticket at the station I do not have to pay a booking fee on top of my ticket price.
Having said that, the Congress hosts some very good shows and I'm pleased to be able to go somewhere within walking distance (or a short taxi ride) of the railway station.
I also recently enjoyed Priscilla Queen of the Desert here, and I am certain to find something else from the planned programme to come.
It's a facility which needs investing in! Ticket prices can only go so high.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Watched a matinee performance of The Jersey Boys. Sat in the stalls, row K. There are limited allocated places for wheel chair users. Although, we could see, the rows at the far end and behind the walk way appear more graduated. Good lift service and disabled toilets. You can approach the Congress off the promenade and down Carlisle road. See 'visiteastbourne' for what's on.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Gosh it was hot in there. Kept getting a waft of cool air so the air conditioning was working. Definitely needs some work on the front reception area as it feels a bit crowded and also a bit of wasted space. Toilets get very busy at interval times, you can go up/downstairs to other facilities but you still have to queue (If you want to sit). Prices are reasonable considering the top acts but could be more local / family friendly by offering heavier discounts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've seen some very good shows in this theatre. It tends to be on the expensive side and the management has lost touch with their customers. Booking online is an expensive nightmare, far easier to book in person at the booking office. Parking is usually easy in the surrounding sides streets.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We chose to sit in the Grand Circle, the seats were further away than I had expected. We sat in row C that had more leg room. There were a couple of steps up to this row, but my mum managed. The side seats don't have the best views by the looks of things, but then they are cheaper. We saw Priscilla Queen of the desert and it was a professional show.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the Congress Theatre a couple of months ago when my husband bought me tickets to see Thriller Live. The theatre does not look much from outside but the theatre was quite spacious, The seating was comy and the amenities' were quite easy to find. The bar was upstairs and I would highly recommend that if you are seeing any sort of show that you order your drinks for the interval before the show starts as the bar can get quite packed. A very good venue to go to for any shows. Parking is fairly easy as there is a car park around the back so this should not be a problem.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The theatre itself is very well organised, although the interval drinks situation leaves a lot to be desired. The drinks are left in the bar area and one has to squeeze past people sitting down. The auditorium is nicely laid out and the view of the stage is unhindered. On leaving the theatre, we have to run the gauntlet of smokers under the covered entrance through a thick cloud of cigarette smoke. Not nice for non smokers.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have seen concerts and shows at the congress, Spandau Ballet and Go West, Little Voice, Chicago, all have been brilliant. Comfortable seating. Bar staff were a little sullen on our last visit, their service should definitely be looked at. All other staff helpful and welcoming. I must say that the scaffolding at the front really lets it down, but that would not stop me going, but does portray an uncared for image.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The venue itself was lovely and we sat in the stalls in the raised seating area on the far left. What I found was that the lift for my mother was on the right hand side so there was a long way to walk after standing to wait for the lift. Once the fshow had finished we had to do the same in reverse but a much longer wait for the lift. Therefore, if you need the lift I would suggest that you sit on the right hand side of the theatre.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
No matter what we have seen at The Congress Theatre it has always been top quality. As Valerie C says, like the West End but at affordable prices, always good seats with no obstructed views and really nice atmosphere.
The staff are always helpful and friendly, the only slight downside is the lack of parking but we have always been able to park nearby without a problem.
A great local theatre offering top quality shows without the need to travel to London.
The staff are always helpful and friendly, the only slight downside is the lack of parking but we have always been able to park nearby without a problem.
A great local theatre offering top quality shows without the need to travel to London.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice, big theatre, good quality shows throughout the year. Something for everyone. Shame about the dreadful state of the frontage - shrouded in scaffolding and sheeting for years now - appalling !!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This theatre has very good seating arrangements. The shows are no stop entertainment. The Standards are excellent. Each show suprises you in different ways. Top quaility. Like West End Show, but at an affordable prices. I love this place. Everyone is so helpful, and friendly. But then thats what Eastbourne is all about. As well as all the sunshine we get as well. We certainly seem to get more than our share of it to.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
enjoyed a great show at the congress have been to two other shows at this theatre and found the seating very good
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Theatre is ok, a little dated and seats have too little leg room. We sat on raised stall seats which gave a good view. The show was ok, nothing special really. It lacked cohesion, too many costume changes which disrupted the flow. The singers had good voices though and there was some humour!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Has a lot of different shows on during the summer to suit most tastes, staff are helpful and always willing to help as much as they can.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
