Nice local theatre with a lovely cafe and bar. All kinds of productions are put on here from…read morecomedies to plays. There is also an art gallery which is free to visit. Close to town and with parking for visitors to the theatre. The place is an old church which is a great building.

Current reports have yet another mainstay of Tunbridge Wells struggling to survive. There are some…read morebrilliant events held here and whilst i believe they have moved towards the alternative comedian circuit of late it could be an inspired move. Please check it out..

Maidstone's cultural nexus. Hosts touring productions of plays as well as exhibitions and stand-up…read morebut never seems to get any big acts booked, in either the intellectual or celebrity sense. The Hazlitt's bread and butter though is music acts like A Tribute to the Eagles or The Real Shalamar coupled with panto at Christmas. It hasn't got much competition and could take definitely a few more artistic risks but a town like Maidstone gets the theatre it deserves.

Fantastic theatre/cinema. Brilliant tiered seating which means no big heads in front of you!…read moreDrinks/buffet bar well stocked. Very easy access and excellent parking very close by.

Recent refurbishment has made the cinema-turned arts centre into a great place to visit. Regular…read moreshows are staged here, and there are two cinema screens. There is a small cafe, and a separate concessions kiosk.

A Brighton institution, The Dome is one of the city's leading gig venues platforming everyone from…read moreestablished rock, pop and funk bands to world music artists from Europe, South America and beyond. In complete contrast to the nearby Brighton Centre, it's a picturesque venue with a grand ceiling, a beautifully arched stage, a generous standing area and two tiers of comfy seats. The sound and sight lines are also top notch. I've seen The Drums, The Macabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Gossip, Pete Doherty, Bon Iver and Richard Hawley here in the last 18 months and the atmosphere was incredible at every single gig. Pete Doherty poured his drink over a heckler, Beth Ditto flirted with the audience and Bon Iver shocked everyone by doing a heavy rock number. My favourite memory of a show here however, has to be the Halloween party The Go! Team threw a few years back. They adorned the stage with pumpkins, dressed in weird costumes and had spooky films playing behind them. It was a magical evening and I danced so much, my legs ached for hours after-wards.

This Grade-I listed complex is both a highly original performance venue (with 3 performance areas,…read moreactually), and an historic building with a fascinating past. History The Dome was originally built in 1803-05 for the Prince of Wales (later George IV) as a stable block, adjacent to his then rather modest Brighton seaside villa. The architect was William Porden, and it was he who chose the iconic Indian architectural style (technically Indo-Saracenic) and designed the huge dome - originally covered in glass, 24 metres in diameter and 19 metres high, to cover a circulating area for the horses. Once completed, the new buildings so overshadowed the original villa, that the Prince instructed that they should be revamped into the iconic Brighton Pavilion we see today. The complex was sold to Brighton in the 1850s, and the Dome was developed as a concert hall in 1866. A major refurbishment in 1935 saw it modernised and given an Art Deco interior, and the Pavilion Theatre was added on the site of Mrs Fitzherbert's stables. Over the years it developed an enviable reputation as a Concert and entertainment venue for both classical and popular music, despite its notoriously poor acoustics. Famous names who performed here include Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, and in 1974 it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, won famously by Abba, singing 'Waterloo'. However, both the interior and exterior were crumbling and a major refurbishment was begun in 1999, costing £22m and taking three years to complete. The revamped complex now houses 3 venues: the 1,850 seat Concert Hall, the 570 seat Corn Exchange (which also hosts non-seated events on its sprung floor) and the 220 seat Pavilion Theatre. The exterior (together with the Museum) provides a suitably exotic backdrop to the Pavilion itself. Events The Dome hosts an astonishing variety of events, from concerts, conferences and performances in the main Concert Hall, to more eclectic drama, comedy and dance in the Pavilion Theatre. I've mostly attended events in the Concert Hall, and I'd agree with others that it's a great place to visit: the seating is comfy and spacious, the acoustics are hugely improved and the unusual shape gives it an intimate feel. Practicalities It's a ten minute walk from Brighton railway station, and just about every Brighton bus route passes close by, either on North Street or the Steine. The venue has level access throughout (and specific spaces for wheelchairs in the auditoria), disabled toilets, hearing loops and printed material is available (on request) in large format. Disabled customers can apply for a complimentary ticket (one per booking) to enable them to bring a companion or access assistant with them free of charge - phone for details. Well worth a visit.

The New Venture Theatre is a community theatre situated in central Brighton. The venue offers…read moreeverything from short experimental interactive theatre pieces to gritty dramas. The theatre is a registered charity and so does not have a full time staff, but the loyal volunteers and generous sponsors have enabled the organisation to provide high quality original performances since 1956. As well as the main 100 seater theatre the venue also has the Studio theatre where workshops are held and the South Hall which is used for cabaret style performances. As a charitable organisation they have several fund raising schemes including membership, buy and brick and the Jubilee Fund raising Scheme. If your into your arts then the New Venture Theatre is deffo worth looking up as they have such a wide variety of performances.

The New Venture Theatre, affectionately known as the NVT, is Brighton's foremost amateur and…read morecommunity theatre, having been around and put on quality theatre since 1956. The NVT is known for putting on a variety of different theatre shows in its two spaces, an upstairs studio and a larger downstairs theatre space, and both of its spaces are uniquely enjoyable. However, this is an amateur theatre: don't expect the very best! From an insider to Brighton's theatrical scene, the NVT is both a shining light and a blot on Brighton's theatrical landscape. First, quickly and painlessly, the negatives: the luvvie atmosphere here can be cut with a knife, and the whole crowd are a bit up themselves, meaning it can be difficult to get involved. As well as that, the NVT puts on perfectly average, well produced pieces of theatre. As is so common with groups that spend most of their time with each other, there is no recognition of unique-ness or talent within the theatricality. To all you non-theatre folk: plays here can be a bit naff, but criticism doesn't get taken very well. However, despite the ubiquitous theatricality of it all, the NVT is a lovely space to spend an evenings. The shows may not be stellar lights of the Brighton theatre scene, but they are frequent, generally qualitative, and a perfect way to while away a few hours. Also, the lovely little bar offers pre- and post-show drinks, and the whole charitable atmosphere is impressive: it's hard to believe this was all built up from very little indeed. In the end, having a community theatre this active in Brighton encourages the wider theatre scene, which is a great boon to Brighton's arty reputation. The shows could be to a higher standard, but the fact that they are here at all, and that this whole operation is amateur, is hard to believe when seeing how nice the theatre is. NVT is a great place to watch theatre, and I'd recommend browsing their site: there is so much on, especially during Festival time, that everyone should find something they'll enjoy.

The Basement is situated in the North Lanes and offers an alternative venue for a variety of…read moredelicious performance art and exhibitions., offers an array on unique experimental theatre and 'Live Art'. One of the regular nights 'SUPPER CLUB' is making a name for itself, it involves going along for food and a show but with no idea what you will be watching or eating, 'art chaos' is a word they use to describe it. If your an artsy type or just looking for something completely different then check out what the Basement are showing. Its fabulous ridiculousness.

The basement is an intriguing and vibrant venue that holds local art and cultural performances from…read moresingers, comedians, to visual art, story telling and poetry about sex! There are plenty of tables and seats and a few different choices of food on the menu (it varies from show to show). The bar is reasonably pricey but not over the top. The venue itself is an interesting layout with a bar area, the main stage area and a smaller room near the back, it is what it says it is - a basement, although it's very clean with laminated flooring and smells of fresh wood! The event I experienced is known as the 'Supper club' - a monthly show that contains various performances that can only be described as somewhat eccentric. There was a visual art performance using helium balloons, some acoustic musical performances and photocopier at the back where people could photocopy their body and then pin the pictures up next to their suitable category - 'non rude', 'rude' and 'explicit'. Need I go on?! The basement might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's certainly something different, a little quirky and light hearted but rather enjoyable if you're interested in the visual performance and art that Brighton has to offer, it's unquestionably a relaxing evening of entertainment.

If you're a fan of classic architecture, you should check out The Old Market in Brunswick area of…read moreHove. Designed by Charles Busby in 1828, it's a Grade II listed building that's been beautifully renovated and maintained. Since the late nineties, it's been a thriving arts centre for locals and vistors. Open all year round, the theatre shows live music, drama, comedy, dance and literary events. Soul legends like Candi Staton and Marlena Shaw have graced the stage alongside contemporary rock, pop, jazz and classical musicians. I've been to a couple of different events and I'd definitely go back. My only grumble is that it lacks the intimacy and atmosphere of other venues in the city. The theatre itself can feel like a big village hall, especially when it's not full and the bar is quite limited. If you like a G&T you're fine but if you want an Absolut vodka with cranberry and a slice of lime, you'll go thirsty.

The Old Market is an all round venue in central Hove, its not only a beautiful wedding venue but a…read morerecording studio, art exhibition space, live theatre, music and comedy venue and its also the home of Springboard Youth Arts Festival and the Hanover Band Orchestra. A real community venue the theatre is plays host to a variety to of local events such as community choir concerts and film festivals. In a gorgeous old Victorian building the venue is really something special. A little bit hidden from the main roads the theatre is a magical pace to spend an evening if you looking an artistic and community spirited experience.

The Pavilion Theatre is a mainstay of the Brighton theatre scene, and well worth a visit. Their…read moreshows are run through the Brighton Dome, so of a consistently high quality, without costing the earth to go see. A frequent venue for fringe theatre all year round, as well as big events during the Brighton Festival and Brighton Comedy Festival, the Pavilion Theatre is an great alternative to the above-a-pub theatre Brighton is famous (notorious?) for. Most shows at the Pavilion are inexpensive, and it is normally used more smaller comedians or companies, even some ambitious amateurs. The venue's policy about what goes on seems to be quite open: even smaller shows are given a chance. This may be the Dome's reach-out to the local theatre scene, and it couldn't be a more fitting fringe theatre space. The stage is large and open, as deep as it is wide, which makes it ideal for plays and performers who like a nice big stage space: dancers, plays with large casts, etc. With a large number of raked seats, the Pavilion Theatre can seat more than a traditional fringe theatre, making it ideal for some of the larger acts as well. This balance is held nicely, with various acts throughout the year using it appropriately: there's clearly a good management policy behind this space. I have seen some great shows here, and recommend everyone to have a look-see whats on! Their programme is varied enough that there should be something for everyone, and nothing really beats live entertainment. With a nice little bar at the front as well, there's really nothing to complain about: great venue, great shows, great evening!

The Theatre Royal is one of Brighton's most venerable institutions. Set in the centre of the city,…read morejust a stone's throw from the Royal Pavilion, it has been at the heart of its artistic life for two hundred years. Opened in July 1807, the theatre has had a colourful history, to say the least. It suffered various financial problems in its early years, an actor by the name of Henry John Nye Chart took over the management and developed a flourishing programme over the ensuing twelve years. He then bought the theatre himself, and embarked on an expansion and refurbishment programme, giving us the theatre we see to-day - now a grade II listed historic building. Nye Chart died in 1876, but his wife Ellen Elizabeth Nye Chart kept the theatre going, introducing both matinees and the traditional Christmas pantomime. When she died in 1892, she was treated as a local celebrity, although her ghost is still said to haunt the building, as the mysterious Grey Lady. The interior is very traditional, with seating in stalls, two circles and an upper gallery, with boxes either side. The decoration is suitably high Victorian and plush, although the seats can be a little restricted for some modern audiences. The stalls have level access and there is a disabled toilet, and the theatre welcomes guide dogs. Captioning is available for those with hearing disabilities. (Those with special needs are advised to book in advance and inform the booking office of their requirements). The theatre bar is located separately, in the Colonnade Bar, immediately next to the main entrance. The repertoire is extraordinarily varied, with traditional classic theatre such as Shakespeare and West End transfers; musicals; comedies; dance and special events and, of course, a Christmas Pantomime season. The list of actors and actresses who have played here is an exhaustive list of the best of British theatre over the last 50 years. It is truly one of the foremost provincial theatres in the country.