Gabrielle 20 Years of Dreaming Bournemouth Review
Gabrielle
Now and Always
20 Years of Dreaming
The Pavilion, Bournemouth
Reviewed by Sophie Rix
I was invited to review the musical artist Gabrielle on one of her “20 Years of Dreaming” tour nights, taking place at ‘The Pavilion’ in Bournemouth.
The Venue:
Some information taken from the website:
“The Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom is Bournemouth’s traditional venue for year round entertainment. Built in the 1920s, it retains its splendour and elegant styling and is Bournemouth’s regular home for West End stage shows, Opera, Ballet, Pantomime and Comedy as well as for corporate presentations and dinner dances, product launches and small conferences.
In particular the Ballroom enables you to hold gala dinners, fashion shows or other activities to complement a conference or exhibition in the BIC.
Refurbished in 2007, the Pavilion Theatre holds a seated audience of 1012 in fixed seats on a raked floor, with a further 446 in the circle. The Ballroom provides an exquisite backdrop for banquets, receptions, social functions and even small fayres and exhibitions.”
On approach to the venue you could clearly see the description on the website matches the theatre in real life. Elegant and traditional, it has its own beautiful character and was certainly inviting. It was also obvious that there was more than ample parking available, with a main car park situated to the front and an overflow car park to the side (Car parking charges payable at local council rates). The venue is also situated on public transport routes.
Upon entering the Pavilion, I was fascinated with the interior, it was like stepping into the 1920s and again, marveled instantly and the beauty and traditional décor.
The stalls area again continued to be traditional with red velvety seats and curtains, high art deco ceilings and a more intimate stage surrounding than that of bigger, more modern venues.
The Services:
We were advised to collect our tickets from the box office inside, which was easily located to the right of the entrance. There was a small queue but it quickly reduced in size and the assistant was extremely polite and courteous, as well as speedy in her service. Served from a traditional open window we were given our tickets and pointed in the direction of the ‘stalls’ entrance and the bar area alongside it. We were also informed of a café bar next to the box office.
We decided to visit the café bar before the performance started and the good service continued with us being promptly served. We were slightly disappointed that the soft drinks were self-service from a fridge, at double the cost for a standard bottle of fizzy, but this did not put us off and higher prices in this type of venue is the norm – so it was what we expected.
There was a traditional tannoy announcement to inform us the performance was due to commence so we promptly attended the ‘Stalls’ entrance where we were informed of our seating position. Now the excitement really begins…
The Performance:
As a fan of Gabrielle, I knew I was going to love her performance, and I did! She captivated the audience from the beginning, and people were quick to be up from their seats to join in with her dancing and singing (despite advice from the security who were conscientious in advising people to be seated to be fair to the other seated customers). Gabrielle soon contradicted this advice though and demanded the audience onto the feet, which we gladly obliged. Gabrielle performed a large selection of her most famous hits as well as some new tracks from her new “Now and Always, 20 Years of Dreaming” album. She also surprised by singing some tracks which are current chart toppers from other artists. Between songs, she chatted to and was very in touch with the audience, giving an even more intimate feel to the whole performance. She was more than happy to be in photos and ‘touch’ the hands of those fans who made it to the front of the stage.
Mid show, we were given a performance by her two backing singers to allow Gabrielle a break backstage – only for her to return refreshed and even more spectacular for a second half and encore. The performance by her band and backing singers was also second to none.
Overall the venue was exactly what this show needed, Gabrielle’s relationship with the audience needed an intimate venue so the two went hand in hand together and provided a great ambience. The show was fantastic, the performance, like the venue – timeless. The backing singers voices were amazing and the band was spectacular! Value for money – at a standard concert price of £26 a ticket approximately, I believe this is true value for money. Particular with the intimacy both the venue and ‘Gabrielle’ offered. Loved every minute!
Absolutely FANTASTIC in EVERY way!
Rating: 5/5 
Catch Gabrielle on tour until 23 March 2014, for more details and tour dates visit www.gabrielle.co.uk/tour.
