You’re invited to join us as we mark Torbay’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage, and the Palace Theatre’s inspirational journey, with a day packed full with celebrations and cheer.

In August 2020, Jazz Hands CIC, who operate the Palace Theatre, were successful in joining the ranks of #SmallBiz100, a national campaign highlighting some of the UK’s most inspiring small businesses; 100 small businesses are celebrated in the 100 days building up to Small Business Saturday (5 December 2020) and the 23 November is Jazz Hands’ day to shine.  However, due to Covid-19 restrictions we have moved our formal celebrations to 17 December!

As part of Torbay Culture’s response and recovery work, they were awarded emergency response funding from the Arts Council to support local creative practitioners, cultural places and communities through a project called Create to Recover. This event will showcase many of the artists and practitioners who were part of create to recover, particularly John Tomkins who collaborated with members of the Torquay Museum Society (TMS) to create 3 documentary films celebrating the heritage of Torbay.

Come along for a celebratory programme of events including fabulous film screenings with a local theme starring local people that you might just recognise, and enjoy entertaining performances and thought provoking installations by local artists and creative organisations as part of Torbay Culture’s Create to Recover programme.

10.30am – Cultural Heritage: A selection of film screenings produced and hosted by Emberlense Productions in association with Torquay Museum Society.  Enjoy three films taking you on a tour of Torbay’s cultural landmarks: The Brixham Battery, Palace Theatre Paignton and Music Scene Memories at Torquay Town Hall.

Your ticket incudes tea or coffee and biscuits.

2.30pm – Cultural Recovery: A showcase of film screenings and installations of work created through Torbay Culture’s Create to Recover programme and a discussion about culture’s role in recovery from COVID19 by Torbay’s What’s Next? chapter.

Your ticket includes tea or coffee and muffins.

7pm –  Cultural Economy: Celebrating Jazz Hands’ #SmallBiz100 success (by invitation only)

Raise a glass and celebrate the Palace Theatre’s 130 year birthday and the multi award-winning Jazz Hands team’s latest success as part of the SmallBiz100 campaign, showcasing the Top 100 small businesses in the country.  Sit back and enjoy the film created by John Tomkins to celebrate 130 years of the Palace Theatre, as well as the premier of a specially commissioned film created by the Agatha Christie Company for the Palace Theatre’s ‘Poems from the Palace’, which will be introduced by Ben Nealon.

Your ticket includes a glass of fizz and canapes.

Tickets must be booked in advanced, and a maximum of 2 tickets per booking per event.  We invite you to support us in developing the Theatre Angels project, a scheme which will enabling local families, most in need, to experience the magic of theatre and the arts – please do make a donation, if you are able, when you book your tickets.

For your comfort and safety social distancing measures are in place throughout the theatre building to welcome you back.

Image: ‘Outside the Fox’ promotional photo / Image credit: John Tomkins, Emberlense Productions