Pier Theatre (Bournemouth)

• Theatre ID
  641
• Built / Converted
  1960
• Dates of use
  • 1960: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (seasonal (summer))
• Address
  Bournemouth Pier, Pier Approach, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5AA, England
• Website
  • Bournemouth Pier - The Pier Theatre

Details

The Pier Theatre was designed by Elisabeth Scott when she was working in the Bournemouth Borough Architect's office in the late 1950s, and built in 1960 on the Bournemouth Pier. The Pier has existed since 1880, but has been extended and repaired on four occasions and now stands 1,000ft long. In 1960 a new concrete sub-structure was built underneath to carry the theatre, which lies about two-thirds of the way down the pier. The box-office is at the pier-head in front of the show bar. The theatre was designed to look like an ocean liner. The theatre roof is barrel-vaulted copper. Two five-foot tall figures of seahorses adorn the façe above the entrance. Through the main doors, steps lead up from a shallow foyer into the auditorium which holds 850 on a single slightly-raked tier of three blocks. The stage is well-equipped for its size and the dressing rooms are cleverly designed around the fly tower. There is a public bar at the rear of the theatre, and behind that a tea-room/cafeteria. It is a working seasonal theatre, operational annually from about late April until early October, and is well-maintained. During 2011 a planning application was approved to change the use of the theatre to an adventure sports attraction. The theatre closed in October at the usual end of season, and works due to be completed by Easter 2012. Further details will follow.

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• Events
  • Owner/Management: Bournemouth Borough Council, owners of Pier
  • 1960 Use: continuing
  • 1960 Design/Construction: designed with Elisabeth Scott.
    • A Hewitt of J Caslake Ltd (Bournemouth) - Consultant: Five Foot Sea Horses (Two) On Fascia Above Entrance
    • John Burton (Borough Architect) - Architect
  • 1995 Alteration: refurbished, redecorated, recarpeted; grid reinstalled and modernised (architect unknown).
• Capacities
  • Original: 850
  • Current: 850
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium, flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 5.4m Width SL: 4.27m SR: 4.27m
  • Proscenium width: 7.62m x 3.66m
  • Height to grid: 8.29m 16 counterweight lines, 2 hemp lines. Flyi
  • Orchestra pit: None