Lighthouse (Poole) facts for kids
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| Arts centre, Theatre and Cinema | |
| Founded | Poole in 1978 |
| Headquarters | Poole |
Lighthouse is a big arts centre located in Poole, Dorset, England. It's a super important place for arts and culture! In fact, Arts Council England says it's the biggest arts centre in the whole United Kingdom outside of London.
This amazing place has lots of different areas for shows and fun. There's a theatre with 669 seats, a huge concert hall that can fit 1,500 people, and a smaller studio with 130 seats. It also has a cinema with 103 seats. You can find a large gallery for photography and art here too. Plus, there's a restaurant and four special rooms for events. The concert hall is the main home for the famous Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
You can easily find Lighthouse! It's right across from the Poole Bus Station and the Dolphin Shopping Centre.
Contents
What is Lighthouse?
Lighthouse is a special place where you can experience all sorts of arts. It's like a hub for creativity in Poole. People of all ages come here to enjoy music, plays, movies, and art.
Cool Spaces at Lighthouse
- The Theatre: This is where you can watch exciting plays and musicals.
- The Concert Hall: Get ready for big music shows here, from orchestras to popular bands.
- The Studio: A smaller, more intimate space, perfect for unique performances.
- The Cinema: Catch a movie, often different from what you see at big multiplexes.
- The Gallery: Explore amazing photos and art from different artists.
A Look at Lighthouse's History
Lighthouse wasn't always called Lighthouse! It first opened in April 1978 as the Poole Arts Centre. It had a theatre called the Towngate Theatre, a concert hall called Wessex Hall, and a cinema called Ashley Cinema. It was built to serve the people of South East Dorset.
Big Changes and New Beginnings
In May 2002, the arts centre closed for a huge makeover. This big project cost £8.5 million! It was paid for by special lottery awards from the Arts Council, the local council (Borough of Poole), and kind donations from people.
When it reopened in October 2002, it had a new name: Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts. The makeover added many new and improved things. This included a modern cinema, a bigger concert hall, and even labs for photography. They also made the visitor areas better and added a new restaurant.
How Lighthouse Gets Support
Lighthouse gets extra money from Arts Council England to help it keep running and offer amazing shows. This funding helps make sure everyone can enjoy the arts. Lighthouse is currently owned by a group called the Poole Arts Trust Ltd.
What Can You See at Lighthouse?
Lighthouse has a super varied programme, meaning there's always something different to see!
Theatre Shows
You can enjoy many types of theatre here:
- Musicals: Like popular touring shows such as Fame and Blood Brothers.
- Opera: A special type of musical performance, often performed yearly by English Touring Opera.
- Dance: Both modern and classical dance performances.
- Ballet: Beautiful dance stories told through movement.
- Plays: From old classics like Romeo and Juliet to more modern stories.
- Pantomime: Fun, family-friendly shows, especially around Christmas, like Cinderella.
- Comedy: Stand-up comedians and funny plays to make you laugh!
Concerts and Music
The concert hall is always buzzing with music:
- The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra plays here every Wednesday night.
- The Wessex Youth Orchestra also performs regularly.
- You can hear music from all over the world.
- Many famous bands and artists have played at Lighthouse, including: KISS, The Who, Kate Bush, The Smiths, Oasis, Tina Turner, U2, Blondie, Paul Weller, New Order, Wham!, Madness, The Jam, and even The Jackson Five!
Studio Performances
The studio is great for:
- Smaller shows especially for children.
- Unique and experimental plays for adults.
Cinema Screenings
The cinema shows a cool mix of movies:
- Films from different countries around the world.
- New movies, usually a few weeks after they first come out.
See also
- Platform 4, theatre company
