Blue plaque for The Royal Lyceum - Torbay’s oldest theatre

Unleashed Theatre Company took possession of the Central Cinema in Abbey Road, Torquay, last April - yet in a very short time, they have reverted the building back to its original name and status The Royal Lyceum Theatre.

The theatre is now home to their two community theatre company’s and their two community choirs. Since opening last May, they have also hosted regular creative workshops, conferences and touring theatre companies.

Torbay’s oldest-surviving theatre reopened its doors as The Royal Lyceum on January 27, 1863, - and on the same day 160 years later, Torbay Civic Society, led by chairman Ian Handford, will tomorrow (Friday, January 27) be unveiling a blue plaque to commemorate the fact that Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde both appeared at the theatre.

The theatre will be open from 1pm when tea, coffee and other light refreshments will be available to buy, before the unveiling at 2pm.

This will then be followed at 2.30pm by a ticketed history talk with Dr Kevin Dixon and Mike Holgate, who will take the audience through the life and times of the original theatre and surrounding area.

Martin Harris, Unleashed Theatre Company’s artistic director said: "The theatre has been buzzing with so many events since we took it over and we are very excited about our packed new season of varied events for 2023. We are incredibly thrilled to be hosting this wonderful public event and we invite everyone to come and join us at 2pm."

Tickets for the history talk cost £3 when booked in advance at www.unleashedtheatrecompany.com, or £5 on the door.