
A historic theatre on Eastbourne seafront
First opened in 1883, the Royal Hippodrome Theatre is one of the oldest surviving theatres in the country. Designed by renowned theatre architect C. J. Phipps, it retains its ornate Victorian features while offering a welcoming and intimate setting for modern audiences. Its prime seafront position makes it a recognisable and much-loved part of Eastbourne’s cultural life.
Live shows for every generation
As one of the most established theatres in Eastbourne, the venue presents a diverse programme of live shows throughout the year. Audiences can enjoy touring musicals, tribute acts, stand-up comedy nights and seasonal pantomime, alongside performances from local drama groups and dance schools. This balance of professional productions and community talent keeps the theatre lively, relevant and accessible.
More than just performances
Beyond the stage, the theatre is known for its popular ghost tours, offering a fascinating glimpse into the building’s history and backstage stories. There are also opportunities to volunteer as an usher or backstage supporter, helping sustain local arts in a hands-on way. Supporters can join the Friends of RHT programme, contributing to the preservation of this historic entertainment venue in Eastbourne.
To book tickets, enquire about upcoming performances or learn more about volunteering, call or email Royal Hippodrome Theatre box office.
Great theatre. Lovely staff
Great show by a fantastic cast and crew 👏 👍 😀
Always a pleasure visiting the Hippodrome. Just visited for the Easter Rapunzel. Amazing. The whole family lived it.
Fantasticly beautiful theatre. Great helpful and friendly staff. Every show we've seen there has been brilliant.
Great 🐰 Easter panto, fantastic fun
Ceri Dupree Announces UK Tour: Frock With Laughter!!
04/03/2026
The following Cookies are used on this site. Users who allow all the Cookies will enjoy the best experience and all functionality on the site will be available to you.
You can choose to disable any of the Cookies by un-ticking the box below but if you do so your experience with the Site is likely to be diminished.
In order to interact with this site.
To show content from Google Maps.
To show content from YouTube.
To show content from Vimeo.
To share content across multiple platforms.
To view and book events.
To show user avatars and twitter feeds.
To show content from TourMkr.
To interact with Facebook.
To show content from WalkInto.