Congress Theatre
Latest Reviews
The Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, is well worth a visit and has built up a reputation for providing high class entertainment.
An excellent recent example of this was Joe Pasquale's show, on August 27, 2015.
Joe Pasquale is far more than a squeaky voiced comedian. Like the late, great Tommy Cooper, he has the knack of making audiences dissolve into hysterics without even opening his mouth.
Proof of how good he is came at the Congress where local funny man Tucker and ventriloquist Steve Hewlett were among audience members convulsed with laughter.
Pasquale was at his best when joined by his tour manager Ray Tizzard, AKA Raynard, his 'twin brother'.
Raynard was even nuttier than Pasquale as he bounded around in his underpants adding to the mayhem. “What did I tell you in the dressing room?” demanded Joe. “Don't do that in the sink,” retorted Raynard.
Like the immortal Cooper, Joe uses a variety of props and magic tricks. But the man who became King of the Jungle in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here has his own unique routines. Who else would begin their act by hitting marshmallows into the audience with a cricket bat and then attaching a basketball net to their head for us to throw them into?
I once had the pleasure of interviewing Joe, and included him in my celebrity book My Life With The Stars. I found him to be so friendly and helpful - and he has some laugh-out-loud stories to tell.
The Congress Theatre has also staged some great musicals and featured dancing stars Erin Boag and Anton du Beke. There are a lot more top shows coming up including International Stars of Magic and Variety on Saturday September 26th, The Full Monty starting on Monday October 5th and Paul Potts in concert on Saturday October 31st
An excellent recent example of this was Joe Pasquale's show, on August 27, 2015.
Joe Pasquale is far more than a squeaky voiced comedian. Like the late, great Tommy Cooper, he has the knack of making audiences dissolve into hysterics without even opening his mouth.
Proof of how good he is came at the Congress where local funny man Tucker and ventriloquist Steve Hewlett were among audience members convulsed with laughter.
Pasquale was at his best when joined by his tour manager Ray Tizzard, AKA Raynard, his 'twin brother'.
Raynard was even nuttier than Pasquale as he bounded around in his underpants adding to the mayhem. “What did I tell you in the dressing room?” demanded Joe. “Don't do that in the sink,” retorted Raynard.
Like the immortal Cooper, Joe uses a variety of props and magic tricks. But the man who became King of the Jungle in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here has his own unique routines. Who else would begin their act by hitting marshmallows into the audience with a cricket bat and then attaching a basketball net to their head for us to throw them into?
I once had the pleasure of interviewing Joe, and included him in my celebrity book My Life With The Stars. I found him to be so friendly and helpful - and he has some laugh-out-loud stories to tell.
The Congress Theatre has also staged some great musicals and featured dancing stars Erin Boag and Anton du Beke. There are a lot more top shows coming up including International Stars of Magic and Variety on Saturday September 26th, The Full Monty starting on Monday October 5th and Paul Potts in concert on Saturday October 31st
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Easy to book over the internet.
Good views from seats
Staff most helpful
Westend shows of high standard.
Good views from seats
Staff most helpful
Westend shows of high standard.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Expensive yet they couldn't put air con on. Was hot and stuffy. Saw the show 'Annie' which left half of the songs out and added new ones that I'd never heard. In hindsight, we would not have gone. Very disappointing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic show with all the cast excellently cast. The singing was awesome from everyone, Annie was just amazing. Such a powerful voice coming from one so young, as well as great acting. The show was spell binding, even though of course we knew the story. I went with my 2 granddaughters aged 15 and 18 as birthday treats and we all 3 enjoyed a special evening. I highly recommend - fabulous to see West end quality shows affordable in Eastbourne.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this is the first time we have seen alan live really enjoyed the show the only thing that i did see was no programes or any dvds on sale
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited this theatre in Eastbourne to see 'Spirit of the Dance' which was outstanding!
Very lively show with breath-taking music, lighting and special effects. I enjoyed the different style of dance - flamenco, Scottish, and irish, very energetic. Loos clean.
Staff at snack counter friendly. Had one old guy decide to sit next to me after the first interval but I didn't mind because he was friendly and was happy to converse. Appeared to be popular with an elderly audience. Congress Theatre still undergoing some refurb so scaffolding a bit off putting and hides a lot of the theatre building. Cab space right outside the entrance. A good show which definitely blew away the cobwebs!
Very lively show with breath-taking music, lighting and special effects. I enjoyed the different style of dance - flamenco, Scottish, and irish, very energetic. Loos clean.
Staff at snack counter friendly. Had one old guy decide to sit next to me after the first interval but I didn't mind because he was friendly and was happy to converse. Appeared to be popular with an elderly audience. Congress Theatre still undergoing some refurb so scaffolding a bit off putting and hides a lot of the theatre building. Cab space right outside the entrance. A good show which definitely blew away the cobwebs!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the theatre to see Top Hat. Wonderful show, recommend it to anyone. The theatre is a lovely establishment, especially now that all the scaffolding has been removed. The theatre staff are so customer focused, polite and extremely helpful. The theatre is well laid out, the seats comfortable and offset to those in front which makes viewing the stage very good. The only thing that appears lacking is appropriate air conditioning to meet periods of high temperature. This was our third visit to the theatre and every one has been so enjoyable and left us on a high.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you love Fred Astaire, get to see Top Hat in Eastbourne this week - it is fantastic!
Congress Theatre is very comfortable, lobby is slightly dated but in process of being updated. Excellent Pinot Grigio at £15/bottle, take cash for the bars, as they were not taking credit cards yesterday
Congress Theatre is very comfortable, lobby is slightly dated but in process of being updated. Excellent Pinot Grigio at £15/bottle, take cash for the bars, as they were not taking credit cards yesterday
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to go to see Kevin Bridges, the tickets were £25 each, it was really really good! Everything was basically on time, bar was quite small and took ages to get a drink!
The seats were good but they were quite close together, no personal space.
Nice venue though.
The seats were good but they were quite close together, no personal space.
Nice venue though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
£25 for good seats to see Kevin Bridges seemed pretty good value to me, but we're from London so not sure if our views are skewed.
Box office had no queues, so collecting tickets was easy. However, seating areas are not well signposted so lots of people were going to the wrong sections. Signage could really do with being improved. Seating is very tight, so a real squeeze when people need to walk past to get to their seats.
Box office had no queues, so collecting tickets was easy. However, seating areas are not well signposted so lots of people were going to the wrong sections. Signage could really do with being improved. Seating is very tight, so a real squeeze when people need to walk past to get to their seats.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended this weekend to watch Kevin Bridges. There seems to be some work being done to the theatre inside the foyer. Looked a bit scruffy and not a nice first impression to see traffic cones!
Inside there is no problem, it's a nice little theatre with good views of the stage. Seats were comfortable.
The biggest issue for me and my friend was that there was only a
cash bar! Seriously?
Inside there is no problem, it's a nice little theatre with good views of the stage. Seats were comfortable.
The biggest issue for me and my friend was that there was only a
cash bar! Seriously?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely Theatre always very good shows on there & very reasonable seat prices quite local for the buses
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is the biggest theatre in eastbourne and much more on a par with modern London theatres. The size and style means it is able to host many of the larger west end touring productions. We have seen singing in the rain, sister act and cats amongst many others and all of these productions offer west end quality at eastbourne prices. There are a number of bars and good toilet facilities (as I get older these things are important!). The seating in the theatre is also very good with leg room for the modern man rather than the cramped conditions of older theatres. Although many of the west end touring shows book out, you can usually pick up tickets at short notice from the wonderful box office staff (Jules is an absolute delight and always has a smile and good advice re the best seats!). All in all a great theatre space and some fantastic shows.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great place for a large crowd. Now that the years long scaffolding is down it is lovely to have such a light bright first floor area to sit in and take in the view over to the sea.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This band the illegal eagles were really outstanding and if you close your eyes you would think it was the real act, weve seen the Eagles in Wembley and these really are a great tribute
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited to see a performance and although it was not a hot night outside after about half an hour it was uncomfortably hot inside, and it got steadily worse as the evening wore on, I would hate to think what it is like in the summer. In addition the stairs to the circle (misleadingly called the "Upper Terrace") had building work going on and were reduced to half their width which would make any evacuation with a full house very slow. I assume this has been passed by the fire brigade, but it seemed dangerous to me. On the plus side the staff were very helpful
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Been here once before. The theatre itself is lovely. Comfy seats and good view of the stage. However, the building on the outside does look like an eyesore with scaffolding that has been there for many years. Heating needs to be seen too. Was boiling hot
There was a very long queue for drinks which didn't seem to move. And an fault with Card terminal.
Would come here again as it's welcoming and does have some good acts playing.
There was a very long queue for drinks which didn't seem to move. And an fault with Card terminal.
Would come here again as it's welcoming and does have some good acts playing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Several venues all in one. Theatre for 1000, Floral Hall could have various uses. Several other smaller rooms. Cafe and Bistro and a couple of bars near the theatre. So the idea venue for a big conference.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely theatre which is currently being upgraded as the amount of scaffolding testifies to. Hopefully, part of the refurbishment will include the interior as well as the exterior? The seats were pretty uncomfortable and seemed to have been there a long while without getting treated. A great venue which needs a bit more TLC, but once upgraded should be a great venue for many years to come. Friendly and helpful staff
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent show with some of the original 60's stars. Good view from Row C in Grand Circle with lots of leg room.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Watched The Adams Family this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. We were there to watch my partners son who was Lucas in the production and left the theatre with no bad thoughts or disappointment. The production was fantastic and the atmosphere was good, the whole experience was a positive one.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Performed by one of our local theatre groups, it was excellent but only on for 4 nights.
The sound, as ever at the Congress, was poor, but that didn't spoil a polished and delightful musical show.
Definitely a worthy tribute to the t.v. series, excruciating corny gags and all. Some good songs and some excellent performances.
If you're near town, like musicals Go.
The sound, as ever at the Congress, was poor, but that didn't spoil a polished and delightful musical show.
Definitely a worthy tribute to the t.v. series, excruciating corny gags and all. Some good songs and some excellent performances.
If you're near town, like musicals Go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great productions I went with family and they wanted to see cats I thought urgh but the acting was fantastic and I had a great evening and the cost of 18 pounds
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Me and a friend took ourselves off to see Dirty Dancing at this theatre and we both had different views on our experience. The theatre itself does need a complete overhaul, its very dated. You feel like sardines packed into small and uncomfortable seats.
Then the show comes on!!! My friend absolutely loved it. Me on the other hand thought that the last 20 minutes was really good, but the rest of it I didn't enjoy. For just under £50 a ticket, I would have expected more, so I was disappointed!
Then the show comes on!!! My friend absolutely loved it. Me on the other hand thought that the last 20 minutes was really good, but the rest of it I didn't enjoy. For just under £50 a ticket, I would have expected more, so I was disappointed!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful production and captivating song and dance routines. The Argentine Tango will be forever be an experience that we shall not forget. The supporting actors and dancers were also wonderful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
