My daughter attends this school of dance…read more There are several schools of dance in the Poole area, and this is the third one we have tried, and this is where we are staying. This summer, my daughter attained an 'a' foe Modern Dance Grade 3, and a 'B' in Tap Dance Grade 2. She is now working on her grades 4 in ballet and modern, and grade 3 in tap dance. The school also has adult tap classes, and jazz classes. In January my daughter will start doing Performance. In my opinion, we have now found the best dance school available. The Prinipal, invests time and energy in her pupils and celebrates with them. She is firm and maintains discipline, but also has a sense of fun. Every other year, the School puts on a Show in a local theatre, and tickets sell out very quickly. The shows are great success and a showcase of talent and hard work.

The Lighthouse is Poole's theatres, concert venue, and has a cinema…read more There are two theatres in The Lighthouse, which hosts a wide variety of entertainment, from ballet to tribute bands, and annually a pantomine. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is based here, (yes, I noticed the geographical misalignment too) and perform regularly. This week they have played concerts for some of the local schools. A month ago, I saw a touring company from the LSC performing jazz dance one evening and another company from the LSC performing modern ballet a couple of evenings later. The quality is astounding and I'm amazed that we can attract such talent to the provinces! There is also a small cinema which shows art films and a 'big' movie some months after it left the popular box offices. There is an eatery downstairs in the foyer, and bars on the first floor. All the staff are very helpful indeed, and advise you of discounts available. Booking is always easy, and they don't mind at all if you take a while to make up your mind about seating. The loos are clean! Seats are nice and comfy. Parking outside is for Blue Vadge holders only, or dropping off. Car parking is in the Dolphin multi storey (don't use the Park - you'll get locked in!).

I agree with Bluesofty on almost everything. They show a lot of different types of music, theatre,…read moredance and performance - some really astounding, some less so, but lots of choice. (We attract it because of subsidy by the way - the level went way up when the government changed last.) The cinema has a monthly Now Showing meeting where you can go to discuss what's been on, what's coming and what you'd like to be on. They give you free tickets for it too! It's the pity the eating is rather ordinary and the wine usually paint stripper in my experience. Park in the Park by all means. It is locked up very early in the morning - about 6 I think - and reopens at 10 for cars, so most performances at the Lighthouse will have finished by then!

This is where my daughter started her dance lessons, although it was at a different location then…read more The teaching here is good, but I found it 'cold' and impersonal. It is also the most expensive School of Dance in Poole. The building it is now in, was a business unit. It has a cast iron, open staircase., and doors that open almost on to the top of the stairs. I felt this was a fire hazard, plus a huge unassessed risk. I'm sure all the paper work is done, but I still had so many misgivings. We are much happier now, and saving some money!

A smallish theatre in the grounds of Canford School, Canford Magna…read more This is very well laid out in the reception area and stalls. The seating is very comfortable and views are good. However, once you get in the Circle, it's a bit like a maze, as groups of seats are sectioned off with bars and you have to find the correct door for your section. I guess this is to stop a stampede in the case of fire, but I've never seen it anywhere else. My daughter performed here with her dance company. Parking is rather limited.