An exhibition of selected Bournemouth Pavilion memorabilia is taking place to honour its 80th Anniversary, which officially falls on Thursday 19th March.
Archive material, dating back to when the Pavilion officially opened in 1929 to the present day, will be on show in the foyer and both lower corridors, which wrap around the Theatre. The archive material includes programmes, posters, photos and hand bills detailing the events and shows that have taken place over the last 80 years, including famous names that grandparents to grandchildren can recognise such as Marlene Dietrich, Bob Monkhouse and Russell Brand!
Posters designed by Ferndown Upper School, as part of a competition, will also be displayed. The winning poster has been displayed in prominent positions around the Pavilion as well as Bournemouth town centre.
Local historian, Hugh Ashley, who is author of the book Bournemouth Pavilion: A Celebration, has led the work on the exhibition. Hugh says: “I visited the Pavilion as a child and worked there over the years as well. The building became a passion of mine and I’ve worked with the Pavilion management this year so we can share some of the archive material with the residents of Bournemouth and further afield. I was lucky enough to have access to all the material as research for my book so I’m thrilled that it will now be open to the public!”
Also on display are people’s memories of the Pavilion. Over the last few months the Pavilion management has appealed to local residents, visitors and performers from further afield, for their memories of the Pavilion. The story of married couple Vic and Avril La Breche from Christchurch, who met after an event at the Pavilion and have now been married for 40 years, will also take pride of place in historic grade II listed building.
Bob Bentley, Manager of Bournemouth Pavilion said: “We hope people take the opportunity to come and look at the selected archive material – it is an exciting insight into the life of the Pavilion over the last 80 years for those who know it and those who don’t! What’s special is that some people will never have seen this material being that certain hand bills and programmes date back to nearly 80 years ago.”
The Pavilion’s anniversary celebrations were launched by the BSO’s performance of Gilbert and Sullivan on Saturday and the organ concert led by BBC Radio 2’s Nigel Ogden on Sunday. UK Productions’ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers runs from tomorrow until Saturday (17th-21st) March and Bournemouth Art Institutes’ They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? runs from Thursday until Saturday (19th-21st) March. Two amateur shows, Celebrating Dance and Celebrating the Musicals, are being hosted by the Pavilion later in the year, as part of the anniversary celebrations.
There will also be a free Open Day on Sunday 29th March, featuring a variety of events including talks about the Pavilion as it was in 1929, as well as Bournemouth in that era. From 11.00am until 5.30pm in the Pavilion’s Theatre, there will be performances by Dance South West, BBLOC and Theatre 2000, a cut the cake ceremony with Bournemouth’s Mayor Cllr Stephen Chappell, an Enchanting Bournemouth film screening and regular organist performances.
From 2.30pm until 5.30pm the Pavilion’s Ballroom will host a 1920s tea dance with the New Foxtrot Serenaders, introduced by Mel Douglas and featuring a cabaret performance by the Stage Door School of Dance and Drama. Free tickets are available from ticket offices at the BIC and Pavilion; complimentary tea and cake will be issued for the first 300 tickets. Be aware tickets are selling fast!
There will also be an opportunity to get into the 1920s swing of things and come in period costume – with spot prices for the best dressed! The Pavilion’s Lucullus Room will also be hosting children’s workshops throughout the day, run by the Bournemouth Youth Theatre and featuring Alice and the Mad Hatter from Adventure Wonderland.
Where possible and depending on what is taking place at the Pavilion, the free exhibition will be open to the public at all times. Please ask for access at the Pavilion reception or call 01202 451870 to speak directly with a member of the Front of House staff.
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