What's on in Torquay whilst you're staying at The Cleveland Bed and Breakfast.....
Brick Built: A LEGO® Models Exhibition, Torquay Museum, Torquay
25th May - 8th Sept 18
This exhibition has been specially created for Torquay Museum by LEGO® artist Warren Elsmore. Enjoy a celebration of the world’s architecture from three great cities, New York, Paris and London. Discover a selection of the wonders of the world in miniature including; historic, modern and natural wonders. Marvel at the Forth Road Bridge, hot air balloons, an entire airport and even Torquay Pavilion, all rendered in standard LEGO® bricks and a great deal of imagination! The exhibition includes interactives, play LEGO® and there will be awesome special events throughout the summer!
Starshine, Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay
Illuminate your day with - Starshine.
WEEKLY - every Tuesday & Wednesdays until 24th October incl. 8.15pm. Matinee: Wednesday 22nd August 2.30pm
Featuring an array of talented performers who share one common purpose to ‘Entertain you’, the all new show for 2018, Starshine, promises an abundance of side - splitting comedy, powerful vocalists delivering dynamic songs and elegant dancers who are endlessly energetic.
Starshine, celebrates the musicals, enjoys highlights from popular movies as well as tributes to some of the most iconic pop stars, including Michael Jackson, who would have turned 60 this year.
Audiences have come to expect a theatre experience that is magical and memorable, and everyone involved with Starshine hopes your evening meets all your expectations.
A Murder is Announced, Palace Theatre, Paignton
5th June - 26th July 2018
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie.
Paignton’s famous Bijou Theatre Productions present this Agatha Christie gem featuring the indomitable Miss Marple.
The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are filled with curiosity when an advertisement in the local gazette appears: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.’ Fake News? Or a hoax intended to scare the host, poor Letitia Blacklock?
Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks at the appointed time.
What follows is classic Christie – a puzzle of intrigue, concealed identities and lies.
Gerry Cottle's Magic Circus
Torre Abbey Meadow's, Torquay 16th - 29th July 2018
A high-energy family show, featuring rollerskating, juggling, comedy and daredevils, also the motorbike on a high wire! The show it’s a perfect balance between Circus and Las Vegas- style, big Magic Illusions.
Watch the “MagiQue” troupe of all female illusionist cutting a man in half!
We guarantee a 2 hours, gob-smacking family experience!
Oliver!, Princess Theatre, Torquay
20th - 23rd June 2018
TOADS Stage Musical Company presents Oliver!
Oliver! is one of the most beloved British musicals, vividly bringing to life Dickens’ timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more. The sensational score is full of Lionel Bart’s irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more.
This big family favourite is brought to you by the award-winning and record-breaking TOADS Stage Musical Company
BMAD 2018 Festival – 4th to 6th May, Paignton Green
BMAD is, probably, the biggest biker, music and beer festival in the South West of England. Now in its 13th year and better than ever before. With plenty of bikes, bands and beers to keep everyone happy; and with food, traders and the wonderful beach – it’s likely to be the perfect weekend.
Thoroughly Modern Millie, 8th-12th May 2018, Princess Theatre, Torquay
Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie is based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film. Taking you back to the height of the Jazz Age in 1920s New York City, when ‘moderns’ including a flapper named Millie Dillmount, were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love.
Following a hugely successful tour in Spring 2017, award-winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie is set to tour the UK again in 2018 with actress Hayley Tamaddon taking on the title role of Millie Dilmount, a Kansas girl determined to make it big in New York City.
From explosive tap numbers to a ‘Fred and Ginger’ dance routine on a window ledge, and featuring hit songs including Gimme Gimme and Not for the Life of Me, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a brilliantly funny and entertaining show for all the family.
Prosecco Festival, Torquay, Devon, 2018
Friday 18th - Saturday 19th May 2018, Riviera International Centre, Torquay
Needless to say the Prosecco Festival is an absolute must for fans of the fizz! Located within the festival hall will be stations offering more than 40 types of Prosecco, Spumante, Cava’s, Brut, Pink Fizz and even Prosecco cocktails. For non-fizz fans we will have a bottled lager area too. Drinks are purchased via our token system.
A Prosecco festival wouldn’t be complete without a delicious array of Italian street food. Available to purchase at the festival and designed to perfectly compliment our fizz.
Taking to the main stage during each session will be an assortment of amazing live acts and singers – including a dance floor filling live band – so don’t forget those dancing shoes!
The Lost City of Z Exhibition, Torquay Museum
25 October 2017 - 28 April 2018
For the first time a substantial exhibition, 'The Lost City of Z' on the legendary Torquay-born explorer, Col. Percy Harrison Fawcett, will chart his incredible search for The Lost City of Z in the Amazon Jungle, displaying fascinating items from the Museum’s archive - many for the first time.
Also on display will be props from the recently released and critically acclaimed Hollywood Film, The Lost City of Z, which has brought Col. Fawcett’s tragic story to a larger audience. The Museum was involved with the production of the film and some of the props were based on archive items housed from the Museum. This exhibition has been made possible by a Heritage Lottery Fund Sharing Heritage grant to create an exhibition.
MURDER MYSTERY AT TORQUAY MUSEUM - THE CURSE OF AMENHOTEP
Date: 7 April 2018, 6pm - 8pm or 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Tickets £25 each
Torquay Museum is the unique setting for an exciting and unusual fully interactive Ancient Egyptian Murder Mystery evening. A priceless Egyptian artefact has been stolen - the Stone of Amenhotep. A murder has been committed. Is this the infamous Curse of Amenhotep or is it a robbery gone wrong?
Teams of guests will work against the clock to sift through the evidence and clues scattered across the Museum's dimly-lit galleries, piece them together and solve the mystery. All against the backdrop of galleries full of a fascinating assortment of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, including a human mummy, Agatha Christie manuscripts, sabre-toothed tiger skulls, and much more. At the end of the evening the teams will come together to see which is the first to solve the mystery of the missing Stone of Amenhotep and discover the identity of the murderer.
There will be two chances to experience the Museum’s Ancient Egyptian Murder Mystery – one beginning at 6pm and the other at 8.30pm on Saturday 7th April. This fun brain-teasing evening would be ideal for singles, couples, groups of friends or colleagues. There will be five groups of 6 or 7 people at each event, but don’t worry if your group isn't that big as the Museum will put people into teams. The evening will last for approximately two hours and there will be experts on hand to help out and give you guidance.The Museum’s café will be open during both evenings for tea, coffee, cake and light meals.
The Ancient Egyptian Murder Mystery evenings at Torquay Museum have attracted universal praise from guests who have had so much fun solving the mystery of the Curse of Amenhotep. BBC television's Spotlight programme even broadcast live from our first murder mystery.
Tickets are £25 each, but please note that places are limited and sell fast, so early booking is highly recommended. Reserve your tickets by calling the Museum on: 01803 293975.
Grinagog Festival, Torquay, 20th - 22nd April 2018
The legend of the Grinagog runs deep in Devon. With hundreds of sightings off the coast of Torquay, conspiracy theorists and cult followers alike agree that this ancient sea creature and the associated tidal wave of live music, DJs and inspiration will arrive back on our shores in April 2018.
We invite you to start the festival season in style. Join us as we beckon the Grinagog from the 20-22 April 2018 at a music and arts festival that celebrates creativity, diversity and hi-jinks.
Set amongst Torquay’s breathtaking coastline and centred around the 800-year-old grounds of Torre Abbey; this is a place to immerse yourself in genre defining music, mind-blowing arts and memorable performances.
This festival is small yet mighty! Giving more colourful and creative experiences for festival goers, inspiring the next generation of local talent and making us all a little more proud of the place we call home.
Experience something new. Discover mudless intimate indoor stages. Run free by the sea. Meet old friends, make new ones. Share a smile and know that you will make memories like no others with a weekend at Grinagog Festival.
EVITA
Direct from it's West End Triumph, 13th March-17th March 2018, Princess Theatre, Torquay
Following its smash hit run at London’s Dominion Theatre, Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita is set to thrill audiences once again across the UK.
Telling the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings through to extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately lead her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’ by the Argentine people.
Starring two of musical theatre’s most outstanding leading performers; Madalena Alberto returns to the role of Eva, a role she received critical acclaim for in the 2014 West End revival. Other theatre credits include the role of Piaf at the Curve Theatre and Fantine in the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables. Joining her in the role of Che, fresh from the recent West End production, is Gian Marco Schiaretti, who also played the title role in Disney’s production of Tarzan.
Featuring some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre, including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.
‘Gripping’
The Times
‘Superb’
Daily Mail
‘A gold-plated winner’
Mail on Sunday
‘Supreme’
Sunday Times
Son of a Preacher Man, Princess Theatre, Torquay, 10th - 14th April 2018
Three broken hearts, one Soho hang-out, and the only man who could ever help them…
Welcome to the Preacher Man, the swinging Soho joint where the kids used to dance the night away and dared to dream of love, while the legendary owner, The Preacher Man himself, dispensed advice to cure the loneliest of hearts… until now.
Starring recording artist Michelle Gayle (Wolfblood, EastEnders, Beauty and the Beast - West End), Alice Barlow (Hollyoaks, Drifters), Nigel Richards (West End leading man) as Simon and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, Son of a Preacher Man is the sparklingly funny and sweetly touching new musical by internationally-renowned writer Warner Brown featuring the greatest hits of Dusty Springfield. So you know just what to do with yourself – book your tickets now!
This is Elvis, Princess Theatre, Torquay
30th July - 4th August 2018
It’s 1968 – the major musical event of the year is the first live TV special for Elvis Presley in what would come to be known as The ’68 Comeback Special. Drawing phenomenal ratings, this event re-establishes Elvis as the major entertainment star of the decade, and twelve months later Elvis stars at the International Hotel in Vegas, performing live for the first time in seven years, and securing his place in history as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll! This production celebrates 50 years since the TV phenomenon and is testament that his songs live on and the King still rules!
This Is Elvis recreates all the drama leading up to the comeback as well as staging the monumental concert. It then proceeds with the King to his Vegas debut. Featuring Elvis’s greatest hits including Trouble, Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, All Shook Up, Suspicious Minds and many more...
‘This electrifying musical will send shivers down your spine’
The Express
‘It’s dance-in-the-aisles brilliant. Elvis lives!’
Evening Post
★★★★
‘The musical that puts the king back on the throne’
Evening News
Kents Cavern Ghost Tours
Until end of August 2018
Looking for something different to do in the evening...experience the famous Summer Evening Ghost Tour at Kents Cavern.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Time: From 6.30pm
Duration: 45 minutes
Price: £10.00 per person
Dates: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Age Limit: No children under 8
The English Riviera - England's Seafood Feast 2018
Saturday 22nd September to Sunday 7th October 2018
England’s Seafood Coast will play host to a feast for all the senses between Saturday 22nd September and Sunday 7th October 2018. For 2 weeks you will be able to immerse yourself in England’s Seafood Feast, eating some of the best seafood in the world and experiencing the very best the English Riviera has to offer.
The heart of things...
Brixham Fish Market is at the heart of England’s Seafood Coast. It’s a good place to start your own personal Feast – take an early-morning tour of the only live fish auction in the country, followed by breakfast at Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish Restaurant next door. This truly unique experience gives a new perspective on the fish on your plate – it is hugely popular so booking in advance is required.
Seafood to order...
Of course a key part of England’s Seafood Feast is the opportunity to eat lots and lots of world-class fish. The Coast’s best seafood restaurants are offering an array of set menus and events to tantalise your taste buds, all featuring Brixham seafood. There will be cookery workshops, wine tastings and coastal foraging. For 2 weeks you will be able to choose from a host of unique events, from morning til night if you so wish! So whether your taste is for fish and chips overlooking the sea, or a 5-course seafood tasting menu, we’ve got it covered.
And so much more...
In between meals (to help you build up an appetite…) you could take a trip on a heritage sailing trawler, go kayaking and paddle boarding, or take a trip on the steam train with its stunning views of the coast. Perhaps you’ll decide to feed penguins, otters or seals at Living Coasts, or see how early human species made the most of shellfish at Kents Cavern. There will be chances to go fishing (cooking and eating what you caught when you get back on dry land) or wild swimming. Or maybe you’ll take a trip to Berry Head to take in the spectacular view across Torbay and watch the guillemots as they go off to fish. There will be sea-themed art exhibitions, installations and productions across the Bay. You’ll be spoilt for choice.
The programme...
The programme is being regularly updated with more events, so follow England’s Seafood Coast on social media:
Twitter @Seafood_Coast
Facebook @EnglandsSeafoodCoast
We look forward to seeing you at England’s Seafood Feast.
West End at the Movies, Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay
If you are passionate about music, love the magic of watching an epic musical on the big screen and enjoy the wonder of theatre, then the all new show, produced and directed by Colin Matthews, at the Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay, West End at the Movies, will be something you will not want to miss.
Running weekly, every Thursday at 8.15pm from the 3rd May, right through until the 4th October, there are extracts from 30 musical scores, with songs written by great lyricists, performed eloquently by seasoned artistes.
The oldest show featured, opened on Broadway in 1927, which incidentally is also the year, the very first musical film was released in cinemas. Subsequently the motion picture followed 9 years later. The newest musical, starring Jack Black was released on screen in 2003 and opened as a stage musical in 2016. Both shows, Showboat & School of Rock were nominated for, and won numerous awards. Albeit at the time Showboat opened there were no stage awards, it was later when the show was revived in the 1990’s that it won both Tony & Olivier Awards. The School of Rock, won their awards in 2017.
West End at the Movies is a musical journey that will leave you in awe as well as a little star struck by some of the greatest show songs ever written, including a beautiful number from Carousel, which won the accolade of being voted the Best Musical of the 20th Century. Add to that the skilful choreography of Sadie Oliver and exciting musical arrangements of Pete Leonard, you are assured of a memorable evening.
1307: The fall of the Knights Templar
Brixham Theatre, Brixham
22nd / 23rd June 2018
South Devon Players Theatre and Film Company
A researched historical medieval theatre production telling of the fall of the Knights Templar, & the surrounding legends and accusations of heresy. Performed by a professional, nationally-award-winning theatre team of actors from Torbay specializing in high-quality historical productions.
Historically a monastic order of crusading knights in the middle ages, the Knights Templar began from humble origins, but soon became a powerful, international organisation, answerable only to the Pope, and institutionally extremely wealthy. As the medieval crusades failed, so did the Templars, and in 1307, among accusations of heresy, and treason, the senior members of the Order were arrested. Legend tells that their wealth, seen by eyewitnesses only months before, had vanished. With the accusations of heresy upheld, the Order was disbanded, and the last Grandmaster, Jacques de Molay, burned at the stake in 1314.
Legends remain. What became of the Templars treasure? Were they really heretics, or victims of a political trap? Legends tell of them protecting various secrets, including those that could destroy the church - some of those legends relate to the Holy Grail; the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, or lost gospels, or even that Jesus himself had descendants who lived on through the ages.
Based tightly on the history, and some of the theories, this theatre production follows Hughes and Angelo, formally of Jacques de Molays inner council, from the fall of Acre, to Paris, and then as they go on the run to the Bristol preceptory, tonwards to Templecombe in Somerset and then to Trebeigh in Cornwall .
Linking these three historical southwest Templar holdings and the existing mysteries surrounding the Templars into the tale, the final secret is revealed....
This production also features an exhibition of the painstaking research behind the scriptwriting, of the inquisition against the Templars, and of their historical links to the Southwest
The show also features especially composed music by Grace Hancock from Exeter.
Ukulele Festival 2018, Babbacombe Cliff Railway, Torquay
9th & 10th June 2018
The 5th annual Babbacombe Ukulele Festival has been re-named the John Ayres Ukulele Festival in honour of its founder and Cliff Railway Chairman, John Ayres, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The event will go ahead exactly as he planned which was that it be bigger and better than ever. Stretching over two days, there are over 20 bands lined up to bring you hours of great live music, FREE, in the music marquee on the beach.
Babbacombe Cliff Railway will be running all day to transport you up and down the cliffs (usual Cliff Railway travel charges apply).
Brixham Pirate Festival, May 4th - 6th 2018
Tenth Anniversary Brixham Pirate Festival!!
A swashbuckling mix of piratical fun and entertainment! There will be LOTS of pirates, military and period re-enactors here with guns and cannons to make plenty of noise! We will make sure there is plenty of music too with shanties and pirate rock
Come to Brixham on the first Bank Holiday weekend in May and join a mass gathering of Pirates from all walks of life. With amazing live music, street entertainers, a Shanty Town, a family area, living history exhibits and skirmishes (very loud bangs and cannon fire!), you can MARVEL at the most immense replica galleon ever to come to these shores: El Galeon, 5 decks of awe-inspiring Spanish galleon, making port for the first time EVER in the UK.
Festival starts with a Pirate Parade on Saturday from 10:15am; live music and entertainment run from 11am to 6pm, with several attacks each day by pirates on the Golden Hind and El Galeon. On Saturday night there is a concert on El Galeon.
TATTOO: British Tattoo Art Revealed, Torre Abbey, Torquay
Open until Sunday 3 June 2018
From ruffians to royalty; from sailors to socialites; from pilgrims to punks: tattoos have been etched into bodies throughout British history. Now a stunning new exhibition is coming to Torre Abbey Museum, which promises to get under the skin of this worldwide phenomenon.
Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed is a genuinely ground-breaking and comprehensive history of British tattooing, featuring cutting edge designers, leading academics and major private collectors. This is the largest gathering of real objects and original tattoo artwork ever assembled in the UK featuring over 400 original artworks, photographs and historic artefacts.
Challenging pre-conceptions and celebrating tattooing’s rich artistic heritage, the exhibition proved hugely successful when it opened at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall following two years of extensive research by the curators at this acclaimed Falmouth attraction. The exhibition at Torre Abbey Museum is the first stop on a nationwide tour.
Gin Festival, Torquay 2018
Friday 13th April - Saturday 14th April 2018
The UK's first, biggest and best gin festival is making a visit to Torquay and we're bringing an enormous variety of different gins with us!
As well as the opportunity to try a huge variety of gins from all over the world, (including exclusive gins you won't see anywhere else) there will be live music, great food and a gin cocktail bar.
There will also be gin masterclasses and the opportunity to meet gin distillers in person, try free samples and chat about their gin.
The Assembly Hall, Torbay Council, Town Hall, Castle Circus, TORQUAY, Devon. TQ1 3DR
Champions of Magic, Princess Theatre, Torquay, 6th & 7th April 2018
The 5 world-class illusionists that make up the Champions Of Magic return for their 2018 UK tour following sold out shows across the globe, five star rave reviews and a run in London’s West End.
With over 25 million online views between them, this cast of Britain’s top magicians includes award winning tricksters presenting daring grand illusions, stunning close-up magic and incredible mind reading. Their skills have been seen around the world with appearances on TV including ITV’s The Next Great Magician, Good Morning Britain, Penn & Teller: Fool Us and NBC’S Access Hollywood.
Following a 6 month international tour the show returns to the UK with brand new illusions, huge special effects and more incredible magic. Each performance features ‘blink and you miss it’ disappearances, impossible teleportation across the theatre, interactive tricks and the mind blowing levitation of an audience member.
Broadway World described the cast as ‘5 of the world’s finest magicians’, Wales Online called the magic ‘So mind-boggling that I won’t even attempt to describe it’ and The List added ‘Spectacular feats of mindreading, vanishing tricks and close-up magic will have you guessing for weeks’. In the USA NBC called Champions Of Magic ‘the most incredible show’ with FOX saying ‘Incredible… you guys are rock stars’.
The show’s producer, Alex Jarrett, said ‘Following a huge tour across North America we’re excited to bring the show home to the UK with some never before seen magic that’s been in development for the last year. With every tour the team add new illusions, bigger special effects and more incredible tricks making the show more unbelievable than ever. Interest in magic has rocketed over the last few years with some brilliant TV programs, but you haven’t seen magic until you’ve seen it live – and this team are the best in the business’.
Champions Of Magic has been seen by thousands across the UK and North America, now is your chance to see why fans return to be amazed by the country’s biggest touring illusion show time and time again.
Ghost Hunt Night at Torquay Museum, Torquay
24 March 2018, Saturday 8pm until late
Tickets £25
Fancy a spine-chilling ghost hunting night in a spooky, atmospheric Victorian museum? Well if you’re fascinated by ghosts and the paranormal, and have ever wondered if there really is something “on the other side”, then now is your chance to join the Ghosts and Paranormal Seekers team on a blood-chilling paranormal investigation at Torquay Museum. This is a lights-out investigation of a building with a lot of recent paranormal activity, and its own Ancient Egyptian mummy, so it isn’t an evening for the faint-hearted.
During previous highly eventful paranormal evenings at the Museum, there have been photographs taken of apparitions, fingerprints were discovered on the inside of a mummy case which hadn't been opened in years and a 300 year old crib rocked on its own. In October of 2016, CCTV cameras caught leaflets and books inexplicably flying off the shelves in the Museum’s shop.
Ghost hunt participants at Torquay Museum can learn how the experts investigate the paranormal, get trained in ghost-hunting techniques, and hear about the supernatural encounters experienced by members of the Ghosts and Paranormal Seekers team during some of the dozens of investigations they have conducted across Devon. Then they can explore the Museum in the dead of night and try to make contact with whatever walks its corridors after dark.
Tickets for the Ghost Hunt Night at Torquay Museum, on Saturday 24th March from 8pm until late, are £25 including tea, coffee and biscuits. Booking in advance is essential as places are very limited, so please contact Torquay Museum on 01803 293975 to reserve your place. Remember to bring a torch, as this is a lights-out ghost hunt.