Theatres & Shows

Devon’s English Riviera has a vibrant evening scene with a huge choice of glamorous shows, concerts, plays, musicals, ballets and comedies offering you top West End performances and the best of local am-dram.  There are no fewer than five theatres with one in Brixham, one in Paignton, one in Babbacombe and two in Torquay including the Princess Theatre which attracts the very best of the national touring shows.

Princess Theatre, Torquay

Bringing hit shows to delight audiences since 1961, the Princess Theatre is a joy to visit.  It’s stunningly located right on Torquay seafront and walking distance from vibrant restaurants, bars and cafes around the inner harbour and Abbey Sands areas. 

At the Princess Theatre you can expect to see the hugely popular touring musicals like Grease and That’ll Be the Day, big names like: Van Morrison, Elaine Paige, Elkie Brooks and Jasper Carrott; opera and ballet like Verdi’s La Traviata and Puccini’s Madame Butterfly; Strictly stars like Aljaz and Pasha; the finest tribute shows like Frankly Sinatra, the Bowie Experience and The Simon and Garfunkel Story plus some great seasonal pantos.  The theatre has a delightful café-bar overlooking Torbay and Torquay Marina plus a spacious main bar area.

Little Theatre, Torquay

Home to the renowned TOADS Theatre Company the Little Theatre is located in the leafy Meadfoot area of Torquay, not far from the seafront with its many restaurants, cafes and bars.  It’s a beautiful old building, once a church with its own cosy bar and shows here provide a wonderfully intimate atmosphere that’s a joy to experience.  TOADS are one of the very best amateur dramatic and operatic societies in the country and they pack in the audiences with their brilliantly produced performances. You’ll love the classics, the comedies, the thrillers and the ground-breaking shows you’ll find here like a Bedfull of Foreigners, Agatha Christie’s The Hollow, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and Noel Coward’s Coward at Sea.

Babbacombe Theatre, Babbacombe

In a spectacular setting atop beautiful Babbacombe Downs that gazes out across Lyme Bay, Babbacombe Theatre has brought the best of English variety theatre to locals and visitors for over 80 years. It’s currently managed by Colin Matthews who has written and produced a long series of memorable showstoppers for over 30 years.  With the best of professional musical, dance and comedic talent, you’ll never come away from a Colin Matthews performance without being tempted to dance down the road and hum a memorable tune!  In addition to his hugely successful seasonal shows, there are many excellent visiting performances.  You’ll find lots of bars, restaurants and cafes nearby

Palace Theatre, Paignton

The oldest working theatre on the English Riviera, it was built in 1890 and is close to the hearts of the local community in Paignton with a big membership of Friends of the Palace.  Bijou Theatre Productions produce four high quality performances a year and there are many visiting performances offering a range of shows from Shakespeare to pantomime and bands like The Beach Boys Story. Plus - here you’ll have the opportunity to see local bands, singers and theatre groups, any of which could be the big stars of tomorrow! There are also various theatre workshops including many for children.  It’s a simply charming and historic place to visit and there are restaurants, cafés and bars nearby.

Brixham Theatre

Right in the heart of historic Brixham, this wonderful old building managed by Brixham Arts and Theatre Society is well worth a visit with a wide range of shows including both community and professional performances. Here you’ll see comedy, classical music, rocking tribute bands like Floyd in the Flesh plus Disney shows like Peter Pan and some entertaining evenings with big names such as Germaine Greer. The excellent Brixham Operatic & Dramatic Society performs regularly here.  There are also regular theatre workshops, folk nights and open showcase nights.  Close to the harbour there are many restaurants, cafés and bars nearby and the theatre has its own fully licensed bar.