The 60s Time Machine
Take a time machine back sixty years to revisit the iconic music, literature, and scene-stealing stars of the 1960s.
The Swinging Sixties saw the rise of some of the greatest bands in history. From Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison to The Kinks and the early days of Pink Floyd, it was a revolutionary decade for music and a newly emerging youth-driven culture.
Fun facts
- 2026 marks the 62nd anniversary of Tony Blackburn’s first broadcast on pirate radio station, Radio Caroline South, in 1964. He went on to become one of the defining voices of the decade.
- Pink Floyd performed at the Theatre Royal Nottingham in December 1967 alongside The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move and Amen Corner. Find out more
- 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Sunny Afternoon being released as a single in June 1966. There’s a scene in the musical that commemorates England winning the World Cup in the same summer, too.
- In November 1964, Des O’Connor was a support act for the hugely popular pop group, Freddie and the Dreamers, for a week of twice-nightly performances at the Theatre Royal. Find out more
Upcoming Events
Agenda
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Dates & TicketsTue 17 Feb 2026toSat 21 Feb 2026
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Dates & TicketsTue 23 Jun 2026toSat 27 Jun 2026
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Dates & TicketsTue 30 Jun 2026toSat 4 Jul 2026
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Dates & TicketsTue 1 Sep 2026toSat 5 Sep 2026
Archive from the 1960s
This remarkable decade also marked a significant birthday for the Theatre Royal itself. In 1965, the venue's 100th anniversary was celebrated with a gala performance of My Fair Lady. Just the year before, in 1964, the hugely popular film adaptation of the stage musical starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison was released.
View the Theatre Royal’s centenary programme
To explore more fascinating historical facts, visit our archive created by local volunteers to share images, stories, and memories from the venue’s rich 160-year history.
Get the most out of your visit
