“The Bournemouth pier theatre “

Open International Ltd. manages the Pavilion Theatre and Bournemouth Pier on behalf of Bournemouth Council. Open have a ten-year contract to manage the venue, and we are looking forward to a long and successful future for this fantastic and treasured facility.
The Pavilion Theatre is a 500-seater venue perched on the end of the Pier. The theatre is best known for hosting the famous end of the pier show "Seaside Special". The theatre also presents a high quality mix of comedy, music, dance, opera, musicals and community shows.
The theatre's bar and caf amenities are open seasonally, from Easter through to October. However the Pier is open to the public all year around.
As well as welcoming visitors to the area, the Pavilion Theatre is a resource for the local community and the theatre welcomes community hires as part of our diverse programme of events.
There has been a Pier or jetty in Bournemouth since 1825. The last wooden jetty was built in 1846, described as a plain wooden structure it was just 70 yards long. By night, it was regulated by several bylaws; smoking was only allowed after the hour of nine o'clock when ladies would be expected to have retired for the evening. Gales damaged the jetty again so much so that it had to be dismantled and Bournemouth was left without a pier. This brief spell of emptiness spurred the 'pier commissioners' to consider a more fashionable structure, so it was in “1901 that the new pier opened.”
At that time two-railway companies, The Great Eastern and the Midland and Great Northern, served Bournemouth. The great rivalry between the railway companies meant that any official occasion in the town gave them the excuse to bring dignitaries from far and near. So it was with the official opening of the pier. The Great Eastern brought dignitaries and members of the press from London while the Midland and Great Northern ferried VIPs from as far away as Birmingham and Bradford. The Blow Viennese Band played in the bandstand and the brochure assured visitors that 'Here, while the season lasts, strains of charming music will be constantly heard.' In 1905 the bandstand was covered to form an enclosed pavilion and the following season the first 'concert parties' performed. Throughout the 1920's and 30's the Bournemouth Protection Commission were responsible for selecting the concert parties at the pavilion, touring the South Coast looking at potential shows.
Devastating gales in 1953 demolished the Pavilion and wrecked the pier. The Government of the day granted compensation for the rebuilding of the Pavilion and the new 'Theatre' was ready in time for the 1955 season. In 1978 the seating capacity was reduced to 440 and a new cafe, bar and foyer were built. At the same time a partnership with Richard Condon was formed. From this partnership 'Seaside Special' was created and as all regular visitors to Bournemouth and the Pavilion Theatre will know the show has gone from strength to strength.