The Palace Theatre in Paignton is a community theatre, managed and operated by Jazz Hands CIC, a not for profit community interest company. It has a lease from Torbay council to operate the Palace for 25 years – and it is a CIC with great plans to increase the reach and impact of culture and the arts within the local community of Torbay.

We have taken on a huge challenge, because we believe in the Palace Theatre and its impact on the local community and we would like you to support us in our passion and belief.

Stage Left, formerly known as the Arena and even earlier, as the Badminton Hall, has been unloved and neglected for years, but in its heyday, it was a dance hall where the area’s first live rock and roll dance took place.  Many will remember their school days, sports and activities in the old hall; generations of families will have performed, rehearsed or played in the old hall; and others will have searched for jumble in the many markets held there in the past.

So many of you will have cherished memories of your time at the Palace, now is the time create a new future for the Palace, bringing the old Hall, now Stage Left, back to its former glory and so much more!

We need to make this space a fabulous place to arrive at, to enjoy and to discover. We need to improve the accessibility of the building, with new entrance ways and emergency exits, preserve the original parquet floor, introduce new lighting, catering and vastly improve the general facilities and experience.  It will transform what we can do at the Palace Theatre for the people of Paignton, Torbay and further afield, for generations to come.

This is a great opportunity to do something really positive for the town.  We would like you to be part of this project breathing new life into the heart of Paignton, it’s a real chance to create a new space for fun, entertainment, learning, and fantastic experiences.

By improving the space, we can build pride in this treasure of a town, which deserves to be given a higher billing, put on centre stage and definitely have a positive spotlight shone on it!

In addition to all of this, the theatre currently provides entertainment performances across the year, including professional and amateur shows, as well as speaking events, conferences and opportunities for learning.  The offer is being expanded on a daily basis, with new opportunities being explored and delivered for the benefit of our current and new audiences.  We have supported new production companies to develop their offer, acting as a launch pad for their work and also a stage for arts council funded projects to ensure they receive professional public exposure and access to audiences.

As an organisation, we also work hard to develop and support people, offering work experience leading to employment for young people and also supporting those with special needs.  We see this as a vital role for our organisation, and a route to employment and learning for young people.

We are also active with the business community and the network of social enterprises within the area, offering free space for our local chamber of trade and commerce for their monthly meetings; providing reduced rates for weekly rehearsal space for WREN, a charity delivering all aspects of community music and Doorstep Arts, our local NPO, for 3 workshops per week and their annual showcase performance; and meeting space for various arts and cultural activities and partners.

With our fantastic and hardworking team behind us, we have managed to achieve great things, with you behind us we can reach for the stars.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/spotlight-on-stage-left-at-the-palace-theatre