SUCCESSFUL Poole music venue Mr Kyps is moving into partnership with the newly refurbished Opera House in Bournemouth.

The intimate club-style ambience offered by the former snooker hall in Lower Parkstone has produced some blinding gigs but occasionally restricted the options that Kyps can offer.

In collaboration with the Opera House, they now not only have access to a stylish one-time indoor circus and Victorian theatre but a huge 1,800-capacity performance space.

Fittingly, they'll be putting on the style big time with their first joint venture this Saturday when hugely popular Queen tribute act The Great Pretender takes to the Boscombe stage.

After selling out a series of shows at Kyps, this production should fit ideally into the Opera House's unique mix of old and new - the latest technology laced with period grandeur would seem ideal for this landmark show.

Following its multi-million-pound restoration programme on the 100-year-old entertainment venue, it has shown enormous promise with hugely successful concerts by everyone from the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson to cutting-edge guitarist, producer and DJ Mark Ronson.

Within months of reopening, it had won the prestigious BEDA Award sponsored by Smirnoff, for being the best live entertainment venue in the UK, fighting off stiff competition from the likes of the famous Ronnie Scott's in London.

The Great Pretender stage show is a unique, unrivalled sound and light spectacular packed with surprises, not only faithfully recreating the music of Queen, but also recapturing the outrageous and outlandish fashions of Freddie Mercury.

Steve Littlewood draws on his 25 years' experience as a musician, performer and entertainer to present what has become recognised as one of the most authentic Freddie Mercury tribute shows in the business.

  • Meanwhile, tonight at Kyps and playing every second Wednesday of each month will be Rockin' the Joint, offering a mixture of '50s rock 'n' roll, jive and rockabilly. Sounds like a great excuse for dusting down those blue suede shoes!