Jane's Midlife Journey

Lighthouse, Poole Centre for the Arts is, among other things, a theatre. But it is much more than that; billed as the largest regional arts centre in the UK, it contains a 1500 seat concert hall, two theatres, a cinema, an art gallery as well as bars and a cafe. Originally built in 1978 to house the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, it hosts drama, dance, music, comedy, film and visual arts events.

How to get to The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is in the centre of Poole, right opposite the Bus Station and just a few minutes’ walk from the Train Station, so extremely convenient to reach by public transport.

Parking

If you prefer to drive, there is a car park across the road at the Dolphin Shopping Centre opposite or nearby at Dolphin Leisure Centre. Either car park will cost you £2.40 for two hours during the day. The Dolphin Shopping Centre has a flat evening rate of £2.40 after 6 pm.

Theatre

The theatre only has 669 seats, so it’s an intimate affair, with nobody very far from the action on stage. In addition, the seat rows are placed further apart than in many theatres I’ve visited – ideal for comfort and the post-Covid era of more social distancing.

Our first trip to the Lighthouse was for the hilarious The Play That Goes Wrong.

Most of my theatre going revolves around musicals and last year, The Lighthouse was, in fact premiering Fantastically Great Women who changed the World (Dorset- centre of the universe, don’t you know?) Adapted from a book by Kate Pankhurst, a descendent of Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, it tells the story of some hugely inspirational women. Rosa Parks, Frida Kahlo, Jane Austen, Amelia Earhart and Marie Curie get to tell their stories of how their actions changed our world for the better. As well as some less famous women, such as Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel and British Secret Agent Marie Christine Chilver.

More recently, we went to watch a West End tour of Six, which was excellent and in more intimate surroundings that the actual West End plus it involves no rushing to catch the last train home at the end of the evening. If you’re not familiar with Six, it’s a funky, feel-good girl power story of the six wives on Henry VIII.

Or something completely different, Ryan Maloney, who played Toadfish in Australian Soap Neighbours for 30 years, talks about his life on the show.

Concert Hall

The Lighthouse is the home of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, who play regularly in the Concert Hall, from classical music to pop classics and Christmas carols.

Sherling Studio

The Sherling Studio is a smaller, more intimate venue, which makes is suitable for smaller events or to introduce younger children to the magic of the theatre.

Cinema

On the ground floor there is a Cinema, which shows films, including family sessions, silver screen sessions for older viewers and dementia friendly screenings. In addition, there are live screenings of National Theatre, Royal Opera and Royal Ballet performances.

Gallery Spaces

The Gallery shows a programme of art; for example, last year’s exhibition of the illustrations of Quentin Blake.

Food & Drink

The Beacon Café is adjacent to the foyer. I tried to go here on my last visit, but all hot food had to be reserved in advance. The cold food consisted of underwhelming sandwiches which cost around £6.95.

There is a large bar on the first floor. Drinks are served in plastic glasses, so are suitable for taking into the auditoria.

The Lighthouse for Children

There is plenty happening at the Lighthouse for children.

Theatre

Some events are suitable for children, particularly during the school holidays with offerings from the likes of Peppa Pig, Dear Zoo and Roald Dahl. Age guidance is provided for individual performances. And of course at Christmas, there has to be a panto (oh yes, there does!)

Films & Fun

Once month at 10.30am, there is a children’s Films & Fun event. This consists of a film screening (eg Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Wall-E or Inside Out) followed by a free themed crafting session and light refreshments. Tickets cost £6.60 for adults, £4.40 for children.

Stagewise

For budding performers, there is Stagewise; a weekly drama school for children age 4 to 14. For older children there are classes in acting, plus for Young Technicians and Young Writers and also an opportunity to join the BSO Youth Chorus.

Cafe

The cafe offers a Children’s Menu, with a meal, drink and ice cream costing £10.

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.

• Updated: September 2024