Performing Art and Exhibitions

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Performing Arts & Exhibitions

For performing arts and theatre lovers, Torbay has eight theatres and venues offering comedy, dance, family shows, music and performances from West End tours to the very best in local contemporary youth theatre and emerging talent delivering compelling shows.

Located on Torquay’s’ seafront, the Princess Theatre showcases popular touring musicals, comedy, tribute acts and mainstream theatre; whilst the Little Theatre up on the hillside in leafy Meadfoot in Torquay, is home to renowned amateur dramatic and operatic society, TOADS, with classics, comedy and thrillers to delight. Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, performed throughout the year by a professional cast.

Brixham Theatre is a hot bed of local and touring music (especially folk), with interesting talks and theatre shows for young and old throughout the year.

In Paignton, you’ll find the oldest working theatre and cinema in the Bay, as well as a new arts and music club. The Palace Theatre is home to nationally recognised arts education company, Doorstep Arts, and offers a huge variety of touring performances from Shakespeare to comedy and music to family shows.

Known more for its UNESCO Global Geopark status, you might not immediately think of Kents Cavern for performing arts; but this underground cave system plays host to Shakespeare and music in a truly unique setting.

Paignton Picture House is one of the most remarkable buildings in Torbay and one of Britain’s most important historic cinemas. A new Trust has set out to restore this venue as a place for arts, cinema, learning and wellbeing. Behind-the-scenes tours and special events are available to book.

Exhibitions

The coast and countryside of Torbay and the South West have long been a source of inspiration for artists. From bold seascapes to sculptures, you’ll find art exhibitions taking place across the local area.

Many of our historic buildings, like Cockington Court and Greenway, play host to exhibitions throughout the year.

Cockington Court has a reputation as an arts and crafts hub. As well as the collections in the craft studios, you’ll find regular exhibitions are put on in the Kitchen Gallery and the Tea Room Gallery. And when you’re in need of refreshment, you’ll never be far from a tea shop serving up a delicious Devon cream tea.

Agatha Christie is one of Torbay’s most well-loved former residents. As well as finding information on her life at Torquay Museum, you can visit her former home Greenway House. Now run by the National Trust, you’ll find special exhibitions as well as a permanent collection charting her time in Torbay and the influence it had on her writing.

At Torre Abbey you’ll find a series of excellent permanent galleries with works of art capturing the beauty of the sea and surrounding countryside. The Abbey also holds frequent guest exhibitions inside, as well as sculpture exhibitions on the garden lawns.

Torquay Museum is a treasure trove of curios from Torquay and around the world. You’ll unearth the fascinating permanent collection ranging from fossilised reptile footprints to an ornate paddle from Papua New Guinea. And the museum also has a busy programme of temporary exhibitions, allowing you to discover something new on every visit.

Brixham Heritage Museum looks back at the lives of residents over the years. Here you’ll find varied exhibitions tracing the history of this bustling Devon town. Find out about the role played by Berry Head in the Napoleonic War. And learn all about the fishing trade and why it has always been so important to Brixham.

The Agatha Christie Festival

One of Torbay’s most-famous former residents, Agatha Christie, has inspired an entire festival. During the festival, catch special performances of her works as well as other pieces inspired by her, at venues across Torbay including Torre Abbey and Palace Theatre with their production of Murder is Announced.

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Torre Abbey

Address

The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

Telephone
+44 01803 293593

torreabbeyenquiries@torbay.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Abbey/Priory

Torquay

Dates

From:

28 Jan 2025to18 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.
Come and enjoy a visit exploring Torbay's most historic building, garden and impressive displays, world-class collections and exhibitions, complemented by modern amenities and special accessibility…

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National Trust - Greenway

Address

Greenway Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0ES

Telephone
01803 843235

greenway@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Agatha Christie described Greenway as “the loveliest place in the world”. It was here that she had her holiday home, on the banks of the River Dart. With a long history dating back to the 1490s, the house still retains features added by all…

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Riviera International Centre

Address

Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5LZ

Telephone
01803 206329

ric.events@lexleisure.org.uk

Type

Type:

Dedicated Conference Centre

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to23 Dec 2025

Torquay’s purpose built conference and exhibition centre, the Riviera International Centre, offers three multi-functional conference, exhibition and banqueting halls plus seven syndicate rooms accommodating from 5 – 1500 delegates.

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Coleton Fishacre

Address

Brownstone Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0EQ

Telephone
01803 843235

coletonfishacre@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

Kingswear, Dartmouth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

At the country home of the D’Oyly Carte family you can travel back in time to the Jazz Age. This most evocative of country homes was built in the Arts & Crafts style in the late 1920’s and is imbued with Art Deco elegance. A light, joyful atmosphere…

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Web Site
Cockington Court

Address

Cockington Court, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6XA

Telephone
01803 607 230

Type

Type:

Arts Centre

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

At the heart of Cockington Village lies Cockington Court, a manor house with roots into history, surrounded by acres of stunning country park. Today, the court prides itself in being a centre of creativity.
Providing a vibrant events programme and…

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Web Site
The Little Theatre Torquay

Address

St Marks Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2EL

Telephone
01803 299330

boxoffice@toadslittletheatre.co.uk

Type

Type:

Performance Venue

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

If you're after a quirky theatre venue, then the Little Theatre is the place to be! Situated in a converted church in the leafy Meadfoot district of Torquay, the theatre provides an intimate atmosphere to view all the best in shows, plays, musicals…

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Web Site
Babbacombe Theatre

Address

Babbacombe Downs, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LU

Telephone
01803 328385

info@babbacombe-theatre.co.uk

Type

Type:

Theatre

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

An asset to the English Riviera for over eighty years Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, most especially since 1986 when Matpro Limited took over the venue.
From its earliest days,…

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Brixham Theatre

Address

New Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8LX

Telephone
01803 415987

info@brixhamtheatre.uk

Type

Type:

Theatre

Brixham

We are an independent, heritage theatre, situated at the heart of the English Riviera, in the beautiful, vibrant, historic fishing port of Brixham.
Our home is a late Victorian, Grade II listed building. The theatre is purpose built and is part of…

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Princess Theatre, Torquay

Address

Torbay Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5EZ

Type

Type:

Theatre

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

2025 welcomes some of the hottest shows touring the UK including The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Cruel Intentions, The Rocky Horror Show, SIX, Riverdance and this year’s Pantomime – Sleeping Beauty.
Top stand up comedy, tribute shows and…

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Performing Arts & Exhibitions

Exhibitions

The Agatha Christie Festival

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