Ritz Digital & Connaught Cinema

The Connaught Cinema

The Connaught Theatre was built in 1914 , but was originally called the Picturedrome. For 20 years it was an early cinema, until 1935 when the Worthing Repertory Company outgrew its own premises and came in to the venue , bringing with it the name Connaught Theatre. The original Connaught Theatre was what is now known as the Connaught Cinema.  The company added a stage and fly tower, and the venue began to trade as a theatre. In 1987 projection facilities were added and a full cinema programme now runs alongside the live shows.

Disabled Facilities

To avoid possible disappointment patrons with special needs are strongly advised to contact our Box Offices or Call Centre to book in advance as spaces are limited due to health and safety. Unfortunately, wheelchair spaces cannot be booked online. It is usually possible to arrange for a combination of wheelchair and standard seating to allow patrons to sit together, please state any requirements you may have when booking. Staff at all our venues are always happy to assist.

There is access for wheelchair users via the front entrance with 6 spaces in the main auditorium.  There is access via the lifts for a limited number of wheelchair users to Fraser Bar and the Ritz Cinema. 

For deaf patrons some performances are signed and arrangements can be made with visiting companies to provide scripts.  There is a loop system for the hard of hearing and there are some light weight headsets available.

Guide dogs are permitted in the auditorium. Interval refreshments and programme service can be provided if patrons are unable to leave the auditorium.

For all special requirements please make your needs known at the time of booking your seats.

Capacity

• 506 persons + 6 wheelchair spaces.

The Ritz Digital Cinema

The Ritz Digital (formerly known as Screen 2), was originally called the Connaught Theatre when it was built in 1916 as a live performance space. It was used as a theatre by the Worthing Repertory Company until they moved into the larger venue next door in 1935. The building was then primarily as a storage space for the company, although it did host war time dances and was given the name the Ritz Ball Room. After a long period of disuse, the Ritz reopened as a live show venue in 1995. In 1999 the Connaught and Ritz came under the management of the local council who decided to refurbish the venue and convert the Ritz into a permanent second cinema screen.

In July 2010 a digital 3D projector was installed into the Ritz, which provides bright, vibrant digital images and clearer sound. The Ritz Digital Cinema (as it is now known) is also the only cinema in Sussex to use a Dolby Digital 3D system, so you can really become part of the action. When entering the cinema to watch a 3D film, you will be handed a pair of environmentally friendly re-usable 3D glasses and an anti-bacterial wet wipe - simply give the glasses a quick clean and sit back and enjoy the 3D experience. The re-usable 3D glasses utilised at the Ritz Digital are only compatable with the Dolby system, and must be returned at the end of every performance so they can be used again. The glasses also have a security tag embedded in them, so they cannot be removed from the building without an alarm going off.

Capacity

• 242 persons
• Which includes:
  2 wheelchairs
  2 escorts

Disabled Facilities

There is access for two wheelchair users via a lift in the Connaught Cinema and a connecting corridor to the Ritz Digital. When it is open, customers can also access Fraser’s Bar on the first floor of the Connaught. If you require these facilities, please inform the Box Office when booking and arrive 15 minutes prior to the advertised film start time to enable our staff to assist you to the venue.

Film Programme

For details of the forthcoming films being shown at the Ritz Digital & Connaught Cinema and the Pavilion Picturehouse, please visit the Film section.

Hiring

For information about hiring the Ritz Digital please see our Hiring and Technical pages.

Calendar

Find out what we have on by entering a date below, and hit go to list our shows for that day.