Vue Paignton

The Festival Theatre once stood on Paignton’s seafront, opening in 1967 to host large summer shows. It faced competition from Torquay’s Princess and Pavilion theatres across the bay. The building closed in 1998 and reopened the next year as the Apollo cinema. A smaller venue, the Palace Theatre in Palace Avenue, now serves as Paignton’s main theatre.

The theatre’s summer seasons featured top names from British variety. Acts included Leslie Crowther, the Black and White Minstrels, Ronnie Corbett, Tommy Steele and Freddie Starr. In 1981 Dana’s show moved to Paignton after starting at Babbacombe. Michael Barrymore, Cannon and Ball, Les Dawson and Bradley Walsh also appeared in later years.

Today the site is a cinema, but the old stage still draws memories. The seafront location remains a lively spot for visitors to Paignton. Nearby, the Palace Theatre keeps live performance alive in Palace Avenue. The promenade offers views across Torbay to Torquay and beyond.