In 1882 a “large rectangular building with tall windows and rather spartan wooden seating, a useful venue for talks, concerts and entertainments of all kinds” was built at the back of what is now 123-125 High Street.

What later became the Amity Hall was used by the Ancient Order of Oddfellows and then the Amity Lodge of Freemasons.

Theatre and early cinema magic

The Amity Palace of Varieties became established as a home for theatre and entertainment. In 1890, for two nights only, people were able to watch Mr George H Hayes and Professor Thomas A Barwick in their “grand entertainment of music, conjuring and ventriloquism.”

On 13th November 1896 Poole saw its first cinema showing when John D. Ablett brought his ‘Theatrograph’ to the High Street. Poole’s first moving picture was billed as “Animated photographs! Scenes in real life faithfully reproduced! The marvel of the age!! The wonder of the century!!!”

“During the following year, the residents of Poole had their second experience of the cinema, when on the 16th June, Alexander, Howe and Cushing’s United Show came to the Amity Hall, bringing a “mammoth menagerie” of animals and curiosities alongside “London’s latest scientific craze” the cinematographe. The first full week of moving picture shows occurred from Monday 4th October 1897 when the Poole brothers ‘Myriorama’ presented scenes of Africa and the Royal Wedding with an interesting accompaniment from performing foxes ducks and rats to name but a few.”

Within recent memory, to locals, Amity Hall was known fondly as 'The Flea Pit' and for a sixpence you could see films like ‘Flash Gordon’ and ‘The Lone Ranger and Tonto’! [Tom Scott’s Poole Days].

How to get here

The address of this site is: 123-125 High Street, BH15 1AN  

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