- Thu 27 Nov 2008 – BIC Brings Big Business to Bournemouth – October saw a variety of medical events take place at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), bringing big business to Bournemouth.
- Wed 26 Nov 2008 – e-Safety Conference Back in Bournemouth – Tomorrow (27th November) will see the South West Grid for Learning’s (SWGfL) e-safety Conference at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC).
- Mon 24 Nov 2008 – Dance Day at BIC a ‘Strictly’ Success! – Over 500 people ‘quickstepped’ to the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) for a free Dance Day.
- Thu 13 Nov 2008 – Happiness and Angel Orbs Phenomenon Comes to the BIC – Angelology, the study of angels, has become increasingly popular recently.
- Mon 10 Nov 2008 – Double Chance for BIC and Pavilion at Bournemouth Tourism Awards – The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion have been short listed for two awards at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards 2008; Outstanding Customer Service of the Year and Best Evening Experience – Entertainment of the Year.
- Thu 23 Oct 2008 – Summer Season Sales Success for the BIC and Pavilion – Despite the Indian summer we have had over the last few weeks, summer seems to be truly behind us. Looking back on it, the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion have had one of the busiest summer seasons in recent years!
- Wed 22 Oct 2008 – BIC and Pavilion Short Listed for South West’s 2008 Business Tourism Award – The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion have been short listed for the finals of the 2008 South West’s Tourism Excellence Award for Business Tourism.
- Wed 27 Aug 2008 – Business Tourism in Bournemouth up by Over 3% to £127m – The latest statistics, based on the UK Tourist Board’s Estimate of Delegate Expenditure, show that the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom inject £73m annually into the local economy through business tourism.
- Tue 19 Aug 2008 – BIC and Pavilion Awarded Top Corporate Fundraiser by Charity – Top fundraisers, who took part in the Midnight Wish Walk in April for the Round Table Children’s Wish charity (RTCW), were recognised at a glittering awards ceremony on Tuesday 5th August at Aruba.
- Tue 17 Jun 2008 – BIC has Just the Ticket! – The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) has launched an innovative parking scheme that offers visitors a guaranteed parking space in the BIC multi-storey car park, as its website sees major growth in ticket sales!
Come and Tour Behind the Scenes the BIC and Pavilion
The Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom are going to be open to the public, for behind the scenes tours, every Friday from July to September this year.
Technical Services will be running the Pavilion tour on Fridays at 2.00pm from July 24th until September 11th this year. The tours last for about 45 minutes to an hour and allow the public to explore the backstage world of the 1929 Grade 2 listed theatre; giving a little insight into the world of showbiz! The tour, led by an experienced guide, also includes all front of house areas and the Ballroom.
If you believe in ghosts you may be lucky enough to see Emily, the resident ghost at the Pavilion, on your tour. Emily has apparently been spotted walking around the circle promenade wearing a period costume dress and a bonnet. Former Stage Manager Barry Beresford claims to have seen her walking up the theatre aisle, passing through curtains and out through the door at the back of the circle, even though it was chained shut!
A similar tour is also available at the BIC which will take place on Thursdays at 2.00pm from July 24th to September 5th. They will also last up to an hour and offer access all four auditoria and the backstage areas, following its £22 million upgrade in 2005.
Christian Knighton, Technical Coordinator at the BIC and Pavilion, said: “The Pavilion celebrates its 80th birthday next year and it is also the BIC’s 25th. They are long standing establishments in the town and the tours are a great opportunity for people to be able to get a sneak peak of how things work behind the scenes.”
Tickets are available in advance through the ticket office phone number 0844 576 3000 and on the day from the BIC and Pavilion Ticketing Offices. Adult tickets cost £5 and Children/Senior tickets are £4.
Please note: All tours vary according to what is available on the day and a visit to the theatre auditorium or the BIC halls is not guaranteed; it is never possible to attend stage rehearsals. Visiting backstage areas can involve flights of steep stairs. Remember that you are visiting a working theatre and/or congress centre and plans may change at short notice. Photography is not always permitted on backstage tours – your guide will confirm this on the day.