Before raising the curtain the building must first be erected, Torquay's Princess Theatre is under construction ahead of grand opening

Torquay's Princess Theatre was built by Torbay Council as the main feature during the redevelopment of the Princess Gardens' area on the seafront in 1961. It replaced a marquee erected each year to house entertainment along the seafront. It opened its doors on Wednesday 7 June 1961 to performances from Tommy Cooper and the inimitable Morecombe and Wise.

Torquay was originally owned by two land owning families, the Carys of Torre Abbey and the Palks later Lord Haldon of Torre and Torwood manor. Sir Lawrence Palk initiated improvements of the harbour via John Rennie in 1803, yet in 1820 William Kitson local solicitor to the Palk estate over saw any development of the town. The harbour generated into a resort throughout the 19th Century. The pier was named in honour of Princess Louise daughter of Queen Victoria in 1890, the Princess Gardens were developed in 1892 designed by Major Garett the borough engineer.