Congress Theatre

4.6/5 based on 1525 reviews
Latest Reviews
Just a1
google.com
Source: google.com
Lovely theatre and staff
google.com
Source: google.com
We enjoyed our visit to this lovely clean, modern and spacious theatre. Comfy seats too. The show was great, christmas with Elvis, fabulous performance. Large bar area and seperate coffee/tea lounge. Only issue was no cloak room for our wet coats.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Major observations on attending performance at the refurbished theatre. Positives: More toilets (much needed) and greater leg room in stall seats. Negatives: lack of colour and decoration in the building (call it bland) and lack of back cushioning in the stalls seats (terribly uncomfortable). I have osteoarthritis and consequently I am particularly sensitive to the quality of the seating. The reused old decorated fire curtain is in stark contrast to the plain walls.
If I return to the theatre it will take a major performance to attract me.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great venue. Excellent production. Very good price 😀
google.com
Source: google.com
Definitely 5 stars went to see Blood Brothers what a fantastic show
google.com
Source: google.com
Saw the blood brothers here great theatre and the show once again absolutely fantastic with Lyn Paul again as lead, wonderful performance !!
google.com
Source: google.com
Blood Brothers tonight was simply brilliant!
google.com
Source: google.com
Nice and warm in the theatre for last night's production, thank you.
google.com
Source: google.com
Has recently undergone major works. Most of the money looks like it was spent on the new box office. Seating has good leg room. Bar prices are excellent- cheaper than pubs which is unusual for this type of establishment. Has air con.
google.com
Source: google.com
Very theatre good ushers and staff
google.com
Source: google.com
Good reception, thanks a little light on the main course
google.com
Source: google.com
Lovely old theatre with a vast array of shows throughout the year.
google.com
Source: google.com
The Lady Vanishes
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne,
Monday 2nd to Saturday 7th, December, 2019

Star rating: 4 out of 5 for venue; 3 out of 5 for The Lady Vanishes
by Tony Flood

The stage version of the Lady Vanishes, presented by Bill Kenwright and The Classic Thriller Theatre Company, is menacing, humorous and very entertaining, but lacks the tension of the Hitchcock classic 1938 film.
Hitchcock's close-ups of the characters on screen helped create suspense, and that intimacy is missing in a large theatre like the Congress, Eastbourne.
The recently refurbished Congress has got a lot going for it - but not intimacy!.
This problem is partly overcome by a talented cast, headed by BAFTA-nominated Gwen Taylor and ‘Villain of the Year’ Andrew Lancel, reuniting for the first time since they appeared in Coronation Street.
Another excellent feature is Morgan Large's versatile set, which changes from a station to a train containing several cleverly designed carriages and a dining car.
Director Roy Marsden takes advantage of this to inject more pace and atmosphere in the second act, but the company was not helped on Monday by sound problems that resulted in some actors being unable to speak – or shout – their lines with sufficient clarity.
The threat provided by Nazi officers, just prior to the outbreak of war, is off-set by typical British humour.
Both are apparent from the start when a train to England is delayed due to an avalanche on the Austrian side of the neutral Swiss border.
Gwen Taylor portrays warmth and mystery as Miss Froy, who suddenly disappears. Fellow passengers deny having seen her, but Miss Froy's travelling companion Iris (Scarlett Archer) sets out to find the vanishing lady with the help of musician Max (Nicholas Audsley).
Archer and Audsley play off each other very well, without showing sufficient romantic chemistry until they finally share the longest of kisses.
Denis Lill and Ben Nealon skilfully bring comic relief as cricket-mad fans, while Andrew Lancel keeps us guessing as the enigmatic Dr Hartz.
One-time pop star Mark Wynter, who I interviewed as a teenager, and Rosie Thomson (playing lovers) and Natalie Law (a nun in high heels) are also superb in adding to the intrigue - and fun.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We've noticed on previous occasions that 'spoken' sound is very difficult to hear in both the stalls and raised stalls. This week we visited for 'The Lady Vanishes' and even in row L of the stalls could not hear certain actors at all. I wear a hearing aid for marginall sound loss but that made no difference at all - in fact is there a loop system at all. Everyone around us was complaining and this is something the Congress must get sorted out.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very disappointed with the quality of seats, very uncomfortable. The sound was very poor too during the play. The rest of the building was fine and very nicely restored.
google.com
Source: google.com
Beautiful theatre,,well laid out,, seats were good.. drinks reasonably priced,, easy walking distance from most hotels,
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
great show. comfortable seating but did not know where to put my crutch sat all night holding on to it.
google.com
Source: google.com
Great shows, lovely theatre.
google.com
Source: google.com
Improvement has made such a difference
google.com
Source: google.com
It's a very good venue if a little pricey at the bars.
google.com
Source: google.com
Excellent visibility, good acoustics and bars which work effectively before and during performances. Poor cider choices though, unless you like weird fruity stuff.
google.com
Source: google.com
Good auditorium but bars let it down
google.com
Source: google.com
Excellent refurbishment. The terrace seating on left and right great to see Simon Reeve, and really not restricted view. Cheaper than stalls.
google.com
Source: google.com
Found the improvement s ideal we have just enjoyed the Dubliners they shared a night to remember and the seats were very comfortable well done
google.com
Source: google.com
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New charitable body considered for Congress and Devonshire Park Theatres
13/02/2023

The latest from Eastbourne Borough Council about a charitable body for Congress and Devonshire Park Theatres. Read article