Princess Theatre

The Princess Theatre stands on Torquay’s seafront in a row of Victorian buildings. It opened in 1961 after the council replaced a marquee that had stood in Princess Gardens each summer. Designed as a touring house, it does not create its own shows but brings in productions from across the country. Opera, ballet, concerts and West End musicals all appear on its stage. Every Christmas a pantomime fills the auditorium with families. The theatre has long been a magnet for top names. Opening night starred Tommy Cooper, Morecambe & Wise and other comedy legends. Summer seasons once featured Joe Pasquale, Bradley Walsh, Ken Dodd and others. More recently Michael McIntyre, Jack Dee, Katherine Ryan, Dawn French and Russell Howard have appeared. Pop stars such as Billy Ocean, Paloma Faith and Don McLean have also performed here during UK tours. Inside, the 1,514-seat auditorium offers plush seating and clear sightlines. The stage is wide enough for full-scale musicals and large orchestras. Outside, the theatre fronts Princess Gardens where visitors can stroll beside the sea. The building itself is a modern landmark set among the town’s older seafront architecture.