Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth facts for kids
.jpg)
South face of the Pavilion Theatre
|
|
| Address | Westover Road Bournemouth BH1 2BU England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°43′04″N 1°52′29″W / 50.71778°N 1.87472°W |
| Owner | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council |
| Operator | BH Live |
| Capacity | 1,448 (Theatre) 900 (Ballroom) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 19 March 1929 |
| Renovated | 1934, 1975, 2007 |
| Construction cost | £250,000 (£10.2 million in 2025 prices ) |
| Architect | Home and Knight |
| Website | |
|
Listed Building – Grade II
|
|
| Official name: The Pavilion Theatre and surrounding raised terrace and steps | |
| Designated: | 19 January 1998 |
| Reference #: | 1376801 |
The Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom is a famous concert hall and entertainment venue located in Bournemouth, England. It first opened its doors in 1929 and has been updated and improved many times since then.
Contents
Discover the Pavilion's Past
The story of the Pavilion Theatre began a long time ago, in the 1800s. People wanted a fun public space in the area around Bournemouth Gardens. Discussions about building a permanent entertainment spot started in the 1880s.
Early Plans and Delays
In 1892, the local council was given £20,000 to build a pavilion. This new building would be a home for the town's orchestra. However, these plans faced many delays. Some local residents were against the idea, and the project was put on hold until after World War I.
.jpg)
Building the Pavilion
By the 1920s, the Bournemouth orchestra needed a better place to perform. In 1923, a competition was held to design the new concert hall. The winning design came from G Wyville Home and Shirley Knight.
Construction of the Pavilion began in September 1925. It was a big project, costing £250,000. On March 19, 1929, the building officially opened. The Duke of Gloucester attended the grand opening.
Renovations and Updates
In the early 1930s, the Pavilion was changed to host plays and musicals, not just orchestras. It reopened on July 7, 1934, with a show called The White Horse Inn. More changes happened in the 1950s, adding two floors to the main entrance.
In 1975, a new area called the Oasis Bar was added. This part was later removed in 2007. That year, the theatre had a huge £12 million restoration project to make it even better.
The Pavilion Today
The Pavilion Theatre is an important building. It was officially listed as a Grade II listed building on January 19, 1998. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected.
Today, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council owns the Pavilion. It is managed by a company called BH Live. The Pavilion works closely with another big venue in Bournemouth, the Bournemouth International Centre.
The Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom continues to be a popular place for concerts, shows, and events in Bournemouth.
