An asset to the English Riviera for nearly 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, the theatre had many years of successful summer shows and it became known for it’s reputation of hosting household names on the threshold of their careers, including in 1955/56 Bruce Forsyth, who headlined in the Hedley Claxton’s ‘Gaytime’.
From its heyday in the 1970s, successive failures in the early 1980s led to the council deciding to close the theatre, however Colin Matthews, who had been operating the theatre since 1986 took on a new lease in 1990. Since then he has turned the venue into one of the most successful theatres of its size in the country
Colin still owns and operates the venue, and his achievements continue to be recognised. Apart from winning, the award for, Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in 2016, his efforts to maintain 5-star entertainment at the venue, has meant the theatre is now ranked on TripAdvisor, as the Number 1 ‘Things to Do’ in Torquay as well as the Number 1 venue under Theatres and Performances in Torquay.
The venue with its extended season running from February to October, as well as the visiting touring shows providing early and late dates, and the now regular Christmas Show, the Babbacombe Theatre has productions running virtually throughout the year.
New shows are constantly added to the theatre’s programme of events, with many household names specifically requesting to appear on the Babbacombe boards. To keep abreast of who you can see appearing at this celebrated venue, refer to the shows tab on the website.
The theatre has:
- Access for wheelchair users with an accessible toilet.
- Wheelchair spaces.
- Loop system.
