Located near Torquay on England’s southern coast, Paignton is one of several seaside resort towns in Devon. The creation of the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway in 1859 confirmed its economic transition away from fishing to tourism as part of the “English Riviera,” along with Torquay, Babbacombe, and other towns along the Tor Bay. It was also home to The Royal Bijou Theatre (now demolished), which premiered Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance on 30 December 1879.