Princess Theatre Torquay Torquay
What's On at the Princess Theatre Torquay
About the Princess Theatre Torquay
First opening in 1961, acts such as Tommy Cooper and Morecambe and Wise were topping the bill at the Princess Theatre’s debut performance. Built by Torbay Council as part of the redevelopment of the Princess Gardens on the seafront, the building replaced an annual marquee that hosted light variety entertainment. Over the years, the Princess Theatre has been managed by several different companies whilst under the continued maintenance of the council. In 1991, the building was leased to Apollo Leisure and was then taken over by SFX and Clear Channel Entertainment. In 2009, Ambassador Theatre Group bought the theatre and continues to manage it to this day.
The Princess Theatre is the largest venue in the wider Torbay area, with a seating capacity of 1,491. Traditionally hosting family variety shows in the summer, it developed its reputation for hosting West End musicals in the early noughties, with shows such as Grease, Chicago and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat visiting during UK tours. These days it continues to host a diverse programme of entertainment including musicals, plays, ballet, opera and concerts.