This August, expect a sprinkle of fairy-tale magic in Bournemouth as excitement builds for this year’s spectacular Cinderella pantomime at Bournemouth Pavilion.
From Monday 4 August to Sunday 31 August 2025, families (and fairy godmothers alike) are invited to take part in a magical picture trail across the town for a chance to win a family ticket for four people to this year’s fabulous, festive pantomime – Cinderella.
Three dazzling poster pairs will be hidden around Bournemouth town centre, each featuring iconic Cinderella imagery – The Fabulous Sisters, a pair of glass slippers, and a pumpkin and carriage.
Armed with clues, families are encouraged to explore local landmarks, snap photos of each matched pair, and enter the online prize draw – it’s really that simple! What better way to get out and about in the summer holidays and with the chance to win a festive treat for the family (*T&Cs apply).
To get started, just follow the clues…
Pair 1: The Sisters
Sister 1 – Near Wagamama, take a look around – there’s a tricky stepsister to be found.
Sister 2 – By the Pavilion’s big front door, one of the sisters is waiting for more.
Pair 2: Glass slippers
Slipper 1 – The BIC holds a sparkly prize – find the slipper where stairs rise!
Slipper 2 – Across from the hotel, on Bath Hill so steep, a glass slipper lies – take a little peep.
Pair 3: Pumpkin & carriage
Carriage – Her magical ride is parked near the shore, where buses stop and music crowds roar!
Pumpkin – Near the theatre, where cars all go, the pumpkin waits, now off you go!
Don’t forget to cool down and relax with a delicious selection of snacks and refreshments at Bournemouth Pavilion’s South Terrace. Overlooking Bournemouth Gardens close to Bournemouth’s busy seafront, the South Terrace (overlooking pier approach and the lower gardens) has outdoor bench seating and is open seven days a week. There are ice creams, slush puppies, hot and cold drinks including a fully licensed bar serving soft drinks, spirits, cocktails, beers, and ciders. Hot food includes stone-baked pizzas, hand-battered fish and chips, burgers and hot dogs.
The Terrace Bistro at Bournemouth Pavilion has relaunched too with a brand-new summer menu incorporating local ingredients. There are fresh salads, platter sharers, sides, burgers, kids’ meals, and more. Relaxed indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the gardens, makes the Bistro a great spot to eat, drink and relax.
Both venues are open from 12pm every day until September. Opening hours are weather-dependent and may change.
Full panto picture trail details can be found at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/cinderella-match.
Bournemouth Pavilion is owned by BCP Council and is operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, Director of Venues, shared;
“We’re thrilled to bring a touch of magic to Bournemouth this summer with our panto poster trail. It’s a fun, free activity for families to get ready and excited for panto and gives participants the chance to explore our beautiful town in a brand-new way. We can’t wait to welcome audiences back to the Bournemouth Pavilion this December for what promises to be a truly spectacular show!”
Cinderella takes the stage at Bournemouth Pavilion from Saturday 6 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026, bringing sparkle, laughter, and wonder for all ages. This year’s star-studded cast includes, Melanie Walters (Gavin & Stacey) as the Fairy Godmother, Olivia Birchenough (Channel 5’s Milkshake!) as Cinderella, and Noel Brodie, back for his 11th year of pantomime as Buttons.
How to enter:
Follow the trail, find the three poster pairs, and upload your photos at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/Cinderella-match before 11:59pm on Sunday 31 August 2025 (*T&Cs apply). One lucky winner will be selected at random and notified via email.
The show will also include relaxed and captioned performances and dedicated school shows. For more information on tickets, concessions and showtimes, visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk. For group bookings, contact groupsales@bhlive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*T&Cs are available online at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/competition-terms-conditions-cinderella-match.
Newspage image courtesy of James McPherson
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Bournemouth Pavilion
Bournemouth Pavilion is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
This Grade II listed venue opened in March 1929. It has a 1,500-seat theatre and full-sized ballroom. The venue hosts a year-round diverse programme of events and entertainment such as musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy, dances and fashion shows. Gala dinners, banquets, receptions, fairs, corporate presentations, product launches, conferences and exhibitions also feature.
Bournemouth Pavilion is home to Pavilion Dance South West and the Pavilion at AUB rehearsal and teaching space for the Arts University Bournemouth.
Bournemouth Pavilion’s South Terrace operates throughout the spring and summer season, serving a delicious range of hot and cold drinks, grab-and-go items, and hot food from pop-up stalls and container bars. The Terrace Bistro serves a seasonal menu, offering an indoor and alfresco dining experience.
- Buy tickets online at co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.
Get social with us:
Facebook, Instagram – @BournemouthPavilion
UK Productions
Established in 1995, UK Productions is responsible for over 200 musical and drama productions nationally, internationally, in the West End and on Broadway. Producing credits include The Beekeeper of Aleppo, The Kite Runner, Legally Blonde – the Musical, 42nd Street, Oklahoma!, Singin’ in the Rain, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Jekyll & Hyde – the Musical, Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, Murdered to Death, Anything Goes, The Pirates of Penzance, and Barnum.
UKP are renowned pantomime producers and have productions the length and breadth of the country. During Christmas 2025/26 they will have 11 productions in number 1 theatres. The company operate a busy set and costume production and hire business, supplying musicals, plays and pantomime sets, props and costumes to commercial and amateur producers nationally and internationally. https://www.ukproductions.co.uk/