Back to top Red Riding Hood at The Astor

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

Jan 8th at 7:30pm

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

Jan 9th at 7:30pm

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

Jan 10th at 7:30pm

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

Jan 11th at 7:30pm

Sgts Mess Productions Presents Start Warts - In space no one can hear you laugh

The auditorium seats 144 or has 300 people standing.

Theatre, literary events, art exhibitions and films.

Disabled access throughout the ground floor and hearing loop.

Hundreds of events hosted annually.

Maria Underwood

I have been an artist for six years and am largely self-taught. I always wanted to be an artist but didn’t have a model for how to make a living, so pursued other careers.

In 2019 I married my soul mate and needed an outlet for positive loving emotion so started painting portraits for family. I progressed to taking portrait commissions, and in 2023 was honoured to be selected as a contestant on Sky TV Portrait Artists of the Year.

My sitter, presenter Nihal Arthanayake, chose my painting to take home. Winning the heart of the sitter was a precious moment. Being on this hugely popular show, has helped me grow artistically, and provided a platform for others to discover my work.

My art is inspired by authentic beauty. The innate loveliness of the subject, whether a portrait, figure, or inspired by something found in nature. I like viewers of my work feel something positive: inspired, hopeful, joyful, calm, serenity. I’m reflecting beauty back into the world.

In figure paintings, I give visibility to authentic beauty in women. Comfortable, confident, and blossoming at every age. Beauty is not defined by youth or perfection.

My signature style balances simple line and flat colour with rich expressive paintwork.

Movement is important in my art for a living and breathing feel. I work energetically with a warm, bright, or deep palette of colours, searching out rhythms and contours to express a sense of form, movement, and beauty.

The subject emerges with a pleasing immediacy. They take up space in an interesting way.

Visit Deal Town Market on a Saturday, you will find me with my woodworker husband Dan. We have a creative collaboration called We Make it Home, selling original art, and handmade wood homeware & furniture, inspiring others to create their own beautiful home.

Art
Art
Art
Art

Hire Us

Whether you want to host a class or rehearsal in one of our studio spaces, have a wedding party or a book launch in the bar - our versatile and workable spaces offer a variety of options for every event.

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Get Involved - The Astor Theatre

Get Involved

Fancy doing something different for a couple of evenings a month? If you love theatre and events and enjoy meeting people and working with the public; we'd love to hear from you.

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Testimonials

  • The Astor Theatre is a central pillar of culture in Deal. Historically and currently, the theatre has served the community and beyond with vision and dignity. The outreach work and community engagement is exemplary and as a visiting performer I have always been welcomed with support and kindness. Long may the Astor continue to shine a light on the Kent coast, a beacon of theatre, film, music, performance and more.

  • The Astor is a unique place, theatre and meeting place.. Professionals mingle with amateurs and locals. It has wide ranging facilities for diverse activities. The management are helpful and friendly. It is a lovely place to perform, watch or participate.

  • We held our wedding reception here on 22 June with a live band and had the most amazing night!
    We wanted something relaxed and fun and that's exactly what we got...
    I would recommend this venue for a large party with a live band.

  • A jewel in this thriving seaside town
    Such a genuinely wonderful theatre, bar restaurant, art gallery, tucked away in the up and coming seaside town

  • Always a warm welcome from Team Astor and patrons of your delightful little theatre and a privilege to play such a well run and much loved venue.’Use it or lose it’ is a phrase I always bandy about but we need people to pack out theatres like the Astor so that we can carry on the great tradition of LIVE! entertainment and encourage young people to enjoy it as we have always done.

  • The Astor Theatre is a central pillar of culture in Deal. Historically and currently, the theatre has served the community and beyond with vision and dignity. The outreach work and community engagement is exemplary and as a visiting performer I have always been welcomed with support and kindness. Long may the Astor continue to shine a light on the Kent coast, a beacon of theatre, film, music, performance and more.

  • The Astor is a unique place, theatre and meeting place.. Professionals mingle with amateurs and locals. It has wide ranging facilities for diverse activities. The management are helpful and friendly. It is a lovely place to perform, watch or participate.