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Buxton Opera House

Added On: 29th February 2008

Summary:Buxton is a spa town (population: 21,500) on the edge of the Peak District, which is characterised by dramatic scenery dotted with beautiful valleys and attractive villages. The general perception of Buxton is of a thriving and affluent town with fine Victorian architecture. In fact, both the town and surrounding area has a mixed economic profile and there are pockets of significant deprivation in outlying rural areas. Buxton Opera House is an Edwardian theatre built in 1903, designed by the renowned Victorian and Edwardian theatre architect, Frank Matcham. It has operated full-time as a 938-seat receiving theatre for the past 22 years and presents between 250 and 300 performances each year. It is also home to Buxton Festival each July, the annual International Festival of Gilbert and Sullivan in August and the Four Four Time Festival of Live Music every February. The programme is wide-ranging: drama, music, opera, ballet, pantomime, contemporary dance, comedy and concerts. A number of companies make regular visits including English Touring Theatre, Compass Theatre Company, Hull Truck Theatre Company, Motionhouse Dance Theatre, European Ballet, Watershet Productions, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Actors of Dionyses and English Touring Opera. The annual Christmas pantomime is a co-production between Buxton Opera House and Channel Theatre Company. The theatre is also hired by amateur and community arts groups such as Present Company, Peak Performance of Matlock, Endellion Theatre Company, Buxton Drama League and The Kinder Children’s Choirs of the High Peak. The theatre has a permanent staff of 32 including 3 marketing staff and 7 box office staff.