O2 Academy Bournemouth originally opened as The Grand Pavilion Theatre in 1895 with various incarnations over the years. It was first used as a circus, and in 1899 became The Boscombe Grand Theatre for its music hall days and The Boscombe Hippodrome several years later. In recent times it has converted to a dance hall, a Royal Ballroom and was a renowned venue for the disco era of the 70s, club acts of the 80s and the dance explosion of the 90s. 

A Grade II listed building, in more recent times, it changed to the Opera House and still boasts a magnificent interior with period features, including the proscenium arch, art-deco styling and ornate steel work. The main auditorium is the heart of the venue. A stunning theatre, there are three levels for seating, plus royal boxes and booths.

CAPACITY

Standing: 1,800 free-flow (plus 75 guests)
 
Seated capacity: 700
400 Ground Floor
80 Dress Circle
200 Gods
2 x Royal Boxes (10 in each)
 
6 bars over 3 floors

TIMES AND RESTRICTIONS:

Noise curfews: 5am - 7.30am (7 days a week)           
Live shows: 7pm -11pm            
Under 14s to be accompanied by an adult
Under 21s require ID to buy alcohol
 
Club events: Sun - Thurs: 3am curfew; Fri - Sat: 5am curfew
                      
Gallery Bar: Available for aftershows and private parties - 400 capacity

VENUE INFORMATION

Lower balcony to floor: 7’
 
Mixer position to stage: 49’ (measured from front of mixer position)
 
Mixer position: Rear of Dancefloor
12’ x 15’ - Cannot be extended unless production holds advised when show is confirmed
 
Storage:  Rear of kitchen

PA stack position

In-house system flown side stage left and right
Touring rigs to stack on stage
To stack on floor, please advise in advance to calculate saleable capacity.  Charges apply to de-rig house system
 

PARKING

TRUCKS & BUSES: 

In service road behind venue off Christchurch road (opposite ALDI supermarket)
Can fit 3 vehicles in total (2 lorries + 1 bus, 3 buses etc)
Venue must be provided with vehicle licence plates and arrival times 48 hrs in advance 
Trucks must park up first to get access to load in area
Power can be provided for 3 buses

CAR: 

Sovereign Shopping Centre Car Park behind venue.  £4 for 24 hrs parking – ground floor only (higher floors are locked at 6pm)

LOAD IN

Service road off Christchurch road opposite ALDI Supermarket
 
The doors to stage are 4’ 7” wide by 7’ 1” high for load in access
 
Ramp to stage

FOLLOW SPOT

In balcony – must be advised in advance and capacity may be reduced

BARRIER

In-house for stage and FOH

STAGE DIMENSIONS

Height: 4’
31’ 9” from stage to top of proscenium arch
Width: 28’
27’ 4” Proscenium arch to proscenium arch
Depth: 28’
Stage clearance: 37’
Floor clearance: 41’   Dancefloor to proscenium arch
Mother Grid loading: 1 tonne per point
PA Wings: n/a
Rigging: Call Technical Manager for details

POWER DETAILS

LIGHTING:                   
Stage right 3 phase 200amp power locks
1 x 125 3ph socket
1 x 63 3ph socket
1 x 32 3ph socket

PA:                               
Stage left 1 x 63 3ph socket
1 x 32 3ph socket

EXTRA ON STAGE:    
4 x 16 Amp
 

LIGHTING

6 x Robe 575 AT Spot
4 x Robe 575 At Wash
4 x Robe 700 AT Spot
6 x MAC 301 Wash
4 x Martin Atomic Strobes
6 x 6 bars PAR 64
4 x 4 Cell Molfay
2 x CS4
1 x Unique 2 Hazer
1 x Unique Viper Smoke Machine
6 x GLP Impressions
1 x 48 Way ART 2000 Dimmer rack
1 x Avolites Diamond 4 Elite
6 x 1 tonne Loadstars
10 x 10 ft GP 20.5 Truss

PA

1 x Soundcraft Vi6
1 x BSS FDS-960 Graphic Equaliser
22 x DVDOSC WST enclosure
6 x dV-Subs (2 Flown, 4 Groundstacked)
6 x SB28 sub woofers (Groundstacked)
1 x LA8 Amplified controller

STAGE INFILLS

2 x AA1214 Full Range
1 x Crown Xti Power Amplifier

STAGE MONITORS

1 x Soundcraft Vi4
12 x Martin LE1500 Low Profile Monitors
1 x AA215 DrumSub
5 x BSS 334 Minidrives
1 x BSS 336 Minidrive
6 x Crown Xti 1000 Amplifiers
7 x Crown Xti 4000 Amplifiers
6 x BSS FDS-966 Opal Graphic Equaliser
2 x Martin Blackline S218 Sub Enclosure
2 x Martin Blackline H3 Side Fills

MULTICORE SYSTEM

48 x Male-Female
8 x returns to stage
8  x returns to amp room
Talk Back and Shout lines
4 x 12 way Stage Boxes to tails
3 x 48 way Breakout looms
3 x Returns/Monitor Looms

MICROPHONES

10 x BSS DI box
6 x AKG451B Condenser
8 x Sennheiser e604
1 x Sennheiser e602
1 x AKG D112
1 x Shure Beta 52
1 x Shure Beta 91
6 x Shure Beta 57A
20 x Beyerdynamic GST500 mic stands
10 x Beyerdynamic GST550 mic stands

DJ EQUIPMENT

Available for auditorium and Gallery Bar:
2 x Technics 1210s
2 x Pioneer CDJ 1000 CD Players
1 x Pioneer DJM 800 DJ Mixer

RISERS

1 x 8’ x 8’ drum riser

PRODUCTION OFFICE

Backstage:        2 desks
Phone lines:      01202 399922 Ext 5
Fax available on request
Broadband and Wi-Fi available

DRESSING ROOMS

4 x dressing rooms
Showers and WCS
Towels: Available if requested in advance. 
£1 per towel and £6 per lost towel

CATERING FACILITIES

Large catering area available with seating and can remain in use after doors.  Direct access backstage is only possible via external entrance after doors
 
Gas can be brought into the venue if external caterers are hired. Calor to be kept outside venue and fed through the kitchen, feed through is supplied
 
Catering power: 12 x double 13 Amp sockets
 
ICE:

Can be provided by venue

CREW

House – to be booked through venue

SECURITY

House – to be booked through venue

BOX OFFICE / GUEST LIST STAFF

Provided by venue

MERCHANDISING

Contact venue prior to the event to discuss arrangements