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The
Opera House
A grand entertainment venue for over 100 years, the
Opera House has now
emerged, phoenix-like, from a multi-million
pound
restoration. The result is an extraordinary
blend
of style, grandeur and 21st century technology.
Located in Boscombe, on the pedestrianised
high street and a ten-minute drive from Bournemouth
and Poole town centres, the ‘new’ Opera
House is undoubtedly one of the south’s most versatile
and exciting venues hosting some of the very
finest in music and comedy – as well as the most beautiful!
The Victorian venue opened on 17th May 1895
as the Boscombe Grand Theatre and between
1896 and 1890, two well-known dramas, ‘Trilby’
and ‘La Dame aux Camellias,’ were played
there. Numerous famous music hall acts followed
and, more recently, many famous bands have played
at the Opera House including Pink Floyd and
Status Quo in 1968, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy
in 1971 and David Bowie in 1972. Other acts known
to have held concerts at the venue include,
Deep Purple, The Faces, Canned Heat, T-Rex, Hawkwind,
Colosseum, Freedom, Joe Jammer and Slade.
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With restoration
has come versatility and the
Opera House is now a truly versatile venue offering
layout options for a variety of events. The ground
fl oor of the main auditorium can provide banquet
style dining, theatre style seating, or standing
room only for concerts. At first floor balcony
level, the two grand Royal Boxes, accommodating
twenty people, and a number of intimate booths
seating between six and ten people, will provide
fantastic views of the stage. The ‘Gods’,
which
have been closed to the public for several decades,
have been opened up and the original Victorian
seating carefully restored under the watchful eye
of the local authority’s conservation department
with whom there has been close co-operation
throughout. Members of the audience seated in
the ‘Gods’ will enjoy possibly the clearest
sound in
the whole building!
Having reopened on 1st June 2007, with an
amazing and eclectic weekend line up which
included indie chart topping newcomers - the
Twang, jazz legend - Courtney Pine and cutting
edge comedian - Omid Djalili, the Opera House
lives up to its claim to offer something for
everyone. Future acts include 70’s funk band Sly
and the Family Stone, dance nights featuring
famous DJs such as Darren Emerson and
comedienne Pam Ann. It is also hoped to stage
drama and classical music evenings. The Opera
House plans to offer the very best of entertainment
in the very best of surroundings – hopefully for
another 100 years!
For further information on events call the information
line on 08701 989897 or go to www.operahouse.co.uk
or www.ticketweb.co.uk Tickets can also be booked
by phone
08701 98 98 98 or 08700 340 380, or visit
in person
Poole
Lighthouse and Frolic Records (In Burlington Arcade,
Bournemouth Town Centre).
08701 98 98 97
www.operahouse.co.uk
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