Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

The Devonshire Park Theatre is a Grade II listed Victorian playhouse on Compton Street, in the heart of Eastbourne's Devonshire Quarter and a short walk from the seafront. Designed by Henry Currey and opened in 1884, it was later improved by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham, and it remains one of the country's finest surviving small Victorian auditoriums, complete with ornate plasterwork, scrolls and caryatids. Nicknamed 'the Playhouse in the Park', it seats 873 and hosts touring plays, comedy, music, family shows and an in-house pantomime. It is run by Trafalgar Theatres as part of Eastbourne Theatres.

The Devonshire Park Theatre was designed by Henry Currey and built in 1884, part of the wider Devonshire Park development in what is now Eastbourne's cultural quarter. Currey was also the architect of the neighbouring Winter Garden, built for the seventh Duke of Devonshire in 1875.

In 1903 the theatre was improved by Frank Matcham, the most celebrated British theatre architect of the era. The interior that survives today, with its decorative plasterwork, scrolls and caryatids by Schmidt of Holloway, is widely regarded as one of the best examples of a small Victorian theatre anywhere in the country.

The building's importance was formally recognised when it was designated a Grade II listed building on 3 July 1981. Its long-standing nickname, 'the Playhouse in the Park', reflects a programme that has always favoured plays and touring drama.

Today the theatre is run by Trafalgar Theatres as part of Eastbourne Theatres, together with the 1963 Congress Theatre, which was extensively renovated in 2016 with the addition of the Welcome Building, and the Winter Garden, which has also undergone major restoration work.

Staff advise discussing your requirements with the box office when you book so the most suitable seats can be arranged.

• Wheelchair users: entry is via a slope to the right of the building. Let a member of the front of house team know and they will escort you to this entrance. If you use this door, it is easiest to book seats on that side of the auditorium, from seat number 1 onwards.
• Wheelchair spaces: see the venue seating plans for details.
• Wheelchair accessible toilets are available.
• Ramp access to the box office.
• Blue Badge parking directly in front of the theatre and in the College Road car park.
• Infrared hearing and induction loop system is installed.
• Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Orientation tours are available on request.
• Audio description is provided by the Friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre on Friday evenings and Saturday matinees of week-long productions.

Essential Companion Scheme

Eastbourne Theatres run a free scheme for anyone who needs an essential companion with them at a show. Application forms are available from the box office on 01323 412000.