Buxton Opera House Spring 2015

JANUARY – MAY 2015

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE PAVILION ARTS CENTRE

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 OR 01298 72190 BUXTONOPERAHOUSE.ORG.UK

Channel Theatre Productions & Buxton Opera House presents

We are very pleased to announce a packed programme for the first half of 2015, which includes the return of our lunchtime recitals, now called Coffee Concerts. As before, musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music will be providing a varied programme and the new format will include the opportunity to meet the musicians following the performances. In this brochure you will find our full Arts Centre programme in date order with a full listing.

The annual Buxton Family Pantomime

All of our events are listed on our website www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk and we will announce any updates or new shows there.

Everything in this brochure is correct at the time of printing, however on rare occasions there may be changes to the programme so please check before travelling.

We look forward to welcoming you to Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre this season!

Simon Glinn Chief Executive

Jack & the Beanstalk

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Welcome to the spring season!

Join us for a GIANT celebration this Christmas!

When luck finally runs out for poor Dame Trott and her lazy son Jack, the only solution is to sell Daisy, the family cow. So Jack and Daisy set out for market, unaware that a rip-roaring, magical adventure is lurking just around the corner.

Heading the cast this year is actor and comedian Steve Nallon (best known for impersonating Margaret Thatcher in TV’s Spitting Image) and Joseph Elliott, who plays Cook in the popular CBeebies series Swashbuckle.

With hilarious comedy routines, fabulous dance numbers and some eye-popping effects, Jack and the Beanstalk is the feel-good Christmas treat you can’t afford to miss. To book, call our friendly box office team for some great festive deals. (Magic beans not accepted).

Thursday 11 Dec 2014 to Saturday 3 Jan 2015 Tickets: £16, £18 & £21 Discounts available (see p54)

CONTENTS What’s On

Page 4

Young Company

Page 51

Coming Soon

Page 52

Discounts & Special Offers

Page 54

Booking Information

Page 54

Theatre Information

Page 55

Diary

Page 56

Sponsors

Page 59

High Peak Theatre Trust is governed by a Board of Trustee Directors who oversee the running of the theatre and contribute their professional skills to the Trust.

High Peak Theatre Trust gratefully acknowledges the continued support of High Peak Borough Council and Arts Council England

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Thurs 11 Dec Fri 12 Dec Sat 13 Dec Sun 14 Dec Mon 15 Dec Tues 16 Dec Wed 17 Dec Thurs 18 Dec Fri 19 Dec Sat 20 Dec Sun 21 Dec Mon 22 Dec Tues 23 Dec Wed 24 Dec Thurs 25 Dec Fri 26 Dec Sat 27 Dec Sun 28 Dec Mon 29 Dec Tues 30 Dec Wed 31 Dec Thurs 1 Jan Fri 2 Jan Sat 3 Jan

1pm 1pm & 7pm 2.30pm & 7pm No performances 1pm 10am & 1.30pm 10am & 1.30pm 1pm & 7pm No performances 2.30pm & 7pm 1pm & 5.30pm 2.30pm & 7pm 2.30pm & 7pm 2.30pm No performances 2.30pm & 7pm 2.30pm & 7pm 1pm 2.30pm & 7pm 2.30pm & 7pm 1pm 2.30pm 2.30pm & 7pm 2.30pm & 7pm

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Jazz at the Arts Centre

Mini Movers & Groovers

Aomori Quartet

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

The Circus of Horrors

Omid Djalili

More stand-up from some new and not-so-new faces on the comedy club circuit.

After storming the finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2011, the Circus of Horrors is back with an awe-inspiring new show The Night of the Zombie. Set in 2020, a decrepit and corpse ridden London is plagued by a swamp of zombies. It’s a city ruled by the ‘undead’, a rock ‘n’ rollercoaster of a show climaxing with an awesome flaming apocalypse.

The award-winning comedian is back on tour with his new show following sell-out runs in the West End and at the Edinburgh Festival.

Appears by kind permission of the RNCM Join us for our new Monday morning activity for under 5s, where toddlers and children can explore new worlds through creative movement and dance.

Through a mixed sensory approach, your child will develop skills and confidence with support from an experienced Early Years teacher.

Sessions run every Monday for six weeks: 5,12,19, 26 January 2, 9 February Booking is advised but you can still drop in on the day.

5 January to 9 February 10am Tickets: £5 Book for 5 sessions, get one session FREE

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Our new season of Coffee Concerts begins with a programme based around a British theme with Purcell’s Fantasias and the Pavel Fischer’s Quartet no. 2; the latter featuring Scottish dances.

Hugh Blogg: violin Rebecca Smith: violin Anna Brigham: viola Chris Terepin: cello

This month’s line-up : • Simon Bligh • Carl Jones • Pete Phillipson Compere: Ben Lawes Shows may contain strong language & adult material.

Taking its name from the northernmost province of Japan’s main island, the Aomori Quartet has a rapidly expanding repertoire encompassing early consort music to brand new commissions.

From sword swallowers to dare devil balancing acts, from hair hangers to astounding aerial display acts, all performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek and the devil driven rock ‘n’ roll of Dr Haze & The Interceptors from Hell.

After the performance there will be a meet and greet with the musicians over coffee.

Friday 16 January 1pm Tickets: £7 No discounts

The Night of the Zombie

Friday 16 January 8pm Tickets: £7 No discounts

Iranalamadingdong

Djalili also won the Best Actor Award for his lead performance in The Infidel at the Turin Film Festival and was short listed for the Peter Sellers Award at the London Evening Standard British Film Awards.

Don’t miss your chance to catch him live on stage.

For ages 16 & over only.

‘Right now, the Iranian Djalili is probably one of the most subversive, let alone funniest, comedians around’ – Guardian

Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz Sunday lunchtime jazz concerts from the cream of the Manchester and North West scene.

Formed in 1982 after a visit to New Orleans, ‘the birthplace of jazz’, this 7-piece perform trad and Dixieland favourites, taking their inspiration from the jazz sounds of the genre’s earliest musicians. They also count among their influences the great British revivalists of the 40s and 50s. Their aim is for each musician and instrument to form an integral part of the music, creating an ensemble sound of beauty and coordination.

Lunches available in the Arts Centre bar from 12.30pm.

Saturday 17 January 7.30pm

Sunday 18 January 8pm

Sunday 18 January 1pm

Tickets: £18, £21, £25 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £26 No discounts

Tickets: £6 No discounts

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StageOps:

Buxton Opera House and Buxton Festival have teamed up to provide this brilliant opportunity for adults to try something new in Buxton.

StageOps is our new season of workshops for adults. Designed for beginners, each session is tied in with one of our shows and is a great way to learn new skills, meet people and have fun!

The choir is held in the Dress Circle Bar of the Opera House.

Stand-up Comedy Workshop

It’s time to stand-up and put those jokes to the test! This friendly and fun introductory workshop will teach the art of stand-up comedy, providing you with some useful techniques to begin to create and deliver a routine. You don’t have to be the world’s greatest comedian – it’s all about the delivery!

Tickets: £3.50 No discounts

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The Special

The Johnny Cash Roadshow

Beyond Everest & Yet Another Epic Of Everest Evening With Rick Wakeman Play & Film Double Bill

Formed in the Chicago area in 1975, the GRAMMY-nominated Special Consensus have released 17 studio recordings including their latest album Country Boy, a tribute to the country legend John Denver.

Prepare for a musical adventure celebrating the life and career of the legend Johnny Cash.

Fronted by respected singer/ songwriter Clive John and accompanied by a video backdrop, the show covers all aspects of the Man in Black’s life taking the audience from the 1950s right up to 2002.

Beyond Everest: Life and Death on the Roof of the World

The Music and Anecdotal Wit of an Old Age Pensioner

In 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine vanished on Everest and were never seen again. This one man play asks if Mallory had survived, what demons would have haunted him? Although Mallory met his death attempting to become the first man to reach the summit of the world, Burns’ imagines a different outcome.

A Fellow of the Royal College of Music, Professor of the London College of Music, former Yes keyboard player, Watchdog presenter and renowned Grumpy Old Man, Rick Wakeman has led a rich and varied life. In his one-man solo show, he recounts hilarious and unlikely anecdotes from a career which has included musical collaborations with David Bowie, Cat Stevens and Elton John, as well as worldwide tours with his own bands, punctuated by displays of dazzling virtuosity on the piano.

Consensus Bluegrass Band

The band will perform original compositions as well as drawing on their extensive back catalogue of songs covering a broad spectrum of traditional standards and other genres played in bluegrass style.

For ages 16 & over.

Fortnightly from Tuesday 20 January 1pm

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Heason Events presents

Kaleidoscope Community Choir

Join local vocal teacher Carol Bowns and the Kaleidoscope Community Choir for an hour of singing and fun! There will be a variety of songs, with everything from choral classics and favourite hymns to pop and folk.

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O HO PER US A E Buxton Opera House and Buxton Festival present

All the greatest hits are included; Ring of Fire, Walk the Line as well as the Johnny and June duets Jackson, Long Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man and many more. This is the only show to be endorsed by the Cash family.

Thursday 22 January 7pm Tickets: £10 (£5 when you book for Omid Djalili, 18 Jan) To book call the Box Office on: 0845 127 2190 or pay on the door

Epic Of Everest (Cert: U) In this newly restored film, the legendary expedition of 1924 is documented with startling visuals, capturing the vulnerability, isolation and courage of the people persevering in one of the world’s harshest landscapes.

Friday 23 January 7.30pm

Saturday 24 January 7.30pm

Saturday 24 January 7.30pm

Sunday 25 January 7.30pm

Tickets: £13 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £16, £19 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £11, £14 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £23, £26, £29 No discounts

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Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

Reasons to Kill Yourself As seen on Live at the Apollo and Stand-Up For The Week, the masterful and excruciatingly honest comic makes his debut at the Arts Centre. In his critically acclaimed show, the double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee will be sharing his thoughts on how disappointing life has been as well as cobbling together some amusing anecdotes guaranteed to make audiences laugh all through the evening.

‘Lawrence rips the cynical heart from his chest and wears it defiantly on his sleeve’ – Metro ‘Powerful, sad, angry, true stuff’ – Scotsman For ages 15 & over only.

That’ll Be The Day

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Andrew Lawrence

Peak Dance Festival 2015

Call Mr Robeson Waterloo

For the ninth year running, Buxton Opera House proudly presents a spectacular showcase of young dance talent from Derbyshire. A mix of dance styles will be performed by students from Derbyshire schools, each presenting a unique piece of choreography in response to the theme of ‘union’.

Paul Robeson was one of the 20th century’s most impressive but overlooked figures. As well as being a famous actor and singer, Robeson was a political activist and played a huge role in the civil rights movement in America. However, he became too radical for the establishment and was branded a traitor to his country.

This showcase is the grand finale to a four month dance project run by Buxton Opera House, in collaboration with Buxton Community School, involving schools from both the primary and secondary sector. It promises to be a fine celebration of great home grown dance talent.

In a compelling tour-de-force performance, Tayo Aluko highlights the remarkable events of Robeson’s life with song and oratory, including a dramatic rendition of Ol’ Man River.

A life, with Songs

2015 Tour Having performed 500 major concert shows to over half a million fans around the world since they formed over a decade ago, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac return to the UK to present a spectacular new stage production celebrating the music of the legendary rock supergroup.

Their new show will showcase and celebrate, in meticulous note-for-note detail, all the classic hits from one of the most enduring catalogues in the history of recorded music and its legacy of blues, rock and pop classics.

Prepare for a party as the nation’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll variety show That’ll Be The Day returns with its brand new show. This hugely entertaining rock ‘n’ roll spectacular features a fantastic line up of classic gold hits from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, plus more hilarious comedy! Prepare for an unforgettable night of nostalgia, laughs and rock ‘n’ roll!

‘What a great value for money show That’ll Be The Day is.

Not to be missed!’

– Daily Mail

‘An extraordinary emotive performance of Fleetwood Mac’ – Mick Fleetwood

‘First-rate... an admirable introduction to a great pioneering performer’ – Guardian

In 1974 the little known Swedish pop group ABBA swept to superstardom with their Eurovision winning Waterloo, and four decades later the song and the band remain as popular as ever.

Now the phenomenal new tribute show Waterloo looks back at the sensational rise to stardom of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid and gives fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of a live ABBA show! The unique ABBA sound is replicated with a full live cast and band, stunning costumes, breath-taking choreography and incredible attention to detail.

Sunday 25 January 7.30pm

Monday 26 January 7.30pm

Wednesday 28 January 7.30pm

Friday 30 January 7.30pm

Friday 30 January 7.30pm

Saturday 31 January 7.30pm

Tickets: £14 No discounts

Tickets: £23.50, £33.50 No discounts

Tickets: £23.50, £25.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £7 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £14 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £18.50, £20.50 Discounts available (see p54)

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PRE-PERF TALK 6.30PM

Sing-a-long-a Frozen

Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music

Richard Alston Dance Company

Disney's Frozen gets the full Sing-a-long-a treatment! Who hasn't been singing Let It Go and wanting to dress up as Elsa?!

The smash-hit musical show returns to the UK in celebration of the movie’s 50th anniversary.

Yes, the original Sing-a-long-a is back, giving the movie a birthday party to remember!

Richard Alston Dance Company comes to the Buxton for the first time with a triple bill.

Join in the full experience with lyrics on screen and sing along with songs from the film. A live host will show you how to use your interactive fun pack.

Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music is a screening of the Julie Andrews musical film in glorious, full-screen Technicolor, with subtitles so that everyone can sing along, a host and free fun pack.

The audience is the star of this interactive show – at Sing-along-a there are no rules!

Sunday 1 February 1pm Tickets: Adults £13.50, £15 Children: £10 Family Tickets available

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Rejoice in the Lamb is danced to Britten’s superb setting of Christopher Smart’s poetry, fuelled by religious fervour and playful eccentricity.

Choreographed by Martin Lawrence and inspired by the music of Franz Liszt Burning is a dramatic dance piece.

The final piece Illuminations, set to Britten’s masterpiece, paints a vivid picture of the wild young genius Arthur Rimbaud and depicts images from the turbulent life of the young poet, visionary and misfit in equal part.

Talking Scarlet presents

The Ghost Train

By Arnold Ridley

Sunday 1 February 5pm

Tuesday 3 February 7.30pm

Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 February 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm

Tickets: £13.50, £15 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £13, £16 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £16, £19 Discounts available (see p54)

Comedy thriller starring Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi!, You Rang M’Lord?), Corrine Wicks (Emmerdale, Doctors), Tom Butcher (The Bill, Doctors), Sophie Powles (Emmerdale), David Janson (‘Allo ‘Allo!, Keeping Up Appearances) and Judy Buxton (General Hospital).

Two newlyweds, an estranged couple, a selfindulgent young dandy and an elderly spinster with a parrot are stranded in the waiting room of an isolated railway station on a dark and stormy night. The group of travellers react with varying degrees of credulity to the station

master's warning of death to anyone who sets eyes on the ghostly train that haunts the line.

Ridley’s inspiration for The Ghost Train followed a real-life experience of being stranded at Mangotsfield Station in Bristol – a now disused station on the Midland Railway main line.

Acclaimed theatre company Talking Scarlet brings this classic text to the stage following recent visits to the Opera House with Devil at Midnight and Double Death.

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– What’s On Stage

‘The choreography was outstanding, beautifully co-ordinating the dancers with the musical score’

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‘The company are at the very top of their game - providing show-stopping tricks, beautiful choreography and jaw-dropping lifts’

– Public Reviews

‘Awesome, thrilling, spectacular, and very very beautiful’ – Daily Info, Oxford

Russian Ice Stars presents

Snow White on Ice

Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 February Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7pm Thursday, Saturday & Sunday 2pm Tickets: Wed to Thurs: Adults £22, Children £15 Family tickets: £60 (4 people incl at least 2 children), £50 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Fri to Sun: Adults £25, Chlidren £15 Family tickets: £70 (4 people incl at least 2 children), £60 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

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Go on a magical journey with the world famous Russian Ice Stars as they bring to life the much loved fairy tale, Snow White.

The Opera House stage will be transformed into a frozen wonderland that has to be seen to be believed, making this a unique theatrical experience.

In a spell-binding show that is both lavish and spectacular, the story of a beautiful girl, her Prince Charming and an enchanted mirror comes to life in a stunningly choreographed piece that dazzles with its sheer beauty and elegance.

With an ice-rink set into the stage, audiences can enjoy close-up the exquisite movement and techniques employed by the Russian Ice Stars dancers – all in the comfort and warmth of a theatre.

Snow White is a full length ballet performed on ice. The show combines gymnastics, aerial aerobatics, full stage sets and a wonderful score by Silvio Amato creating a breathtaking and mesmerising experience the whole family can enjoy.

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Crown Brass Quintet

Winter Walker presents

Hiccup Theatre presents

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

Money for Nothing

AC/DC UK

Three Keepers

Three Wise Monkeys

More stand-up from some new and not-so-new faces on the comedy club circuit.

Europe’s premier Dire Straits tribute band have performed all over the world. With a line-up featuring top-class musicians, Money For Nothing have studied Dire Straits’ music in great detail making their performance as close to the real thing as possible.

Frontman and guitarist Aled Williams captures Mark Knopfler’s voice near perfectly as this tribute act takes on all the hits from Sultans of Swing right through to the epic Tunnel of Love.

The on-stage magic and rock‘n’ roll atmosphere of AC/DC is captured in this world-class tribute act featuring all the hits; Back in Black, Dirty Deeds, Thunderstruck, You Shook Me All Night Long and Highway To Hell.

At Flounder Rock Lighthouse three men battle the elements as they keep watch with only the seagulls and each other for company. Wise Old Tom and uptight middleman Dick are trying to teach Young ‘Arry the ropes on his first tour of service when a storm threatens.

In this play by Olivier Awardwinning writer Mike Kenny, follow the adventures of Seeno, Hearno and Sayno as they discover when you should tell a lie, when to keep a secret and how to help your friends make sense of it all.

Appears by kind permission of the RNCM A programme of English music.

Ben Conway: trumpet Aaron Wood: trumpet Matthew Head: french horn Rachel Allen: trombone Toby Butt: tuba One of the most engaging young chamber ensembles around, Crown Brass have a passion of contemporary music and have developed an eclectic repertoire that spans Renaissance polyphony to modern popular classics.

This month’s line-up: • Greg Cook • Peter Brush • George Zach Compere: Bill Woolland Shows may contain strong language & adult material.

After the performance there will be a meet and greet with the musicians over coffee.

‘Make no mistake… they are good – very good’ – Observer

AC/DC were formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Considered pioneers of heavy metal, the band considered themselves simply ‘rock ‘n’ roll’. To date they are one of the highest grossing bands of all time. With a look and sound so close to the original, AC/DC UK will put on a spectacular show packed full of hits.

Using an inventive blend of physical theatre, dance and comedy routines inspired by the silent film era, the three keepers battle to keep the light shining as disaster strikes the rock.

For ages 8 & over.

After the show there will be a free post-show talk and interactive improvisation demo.

Hiccup Theatre came to the Pavilion Arts Centre in June 2014 with their re-telling of the classic tale Pinocchio. Now they bring their exciting style to the well-known Japanese proverb using live music, puppets and mischievous storytelling.

For ages 3 to 7 & their families.

Friday 6 February 1pm

Friday 6 February 8pm

Saturday 7 February 7.30pm

Sunday 8 February 7.30pm

Tuesday 10 February 2pm

Thursday 12 February 1.30pm

Tickets: £7 No discounts

Tickets: £7 No discounts

Tickets: £18.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £18.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: Adults £9, Children £7 Family tickets available

Tickets: £7.50 Family tickets available

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C AR ST ENTR TS UD E IO Nunkie Theatre Company presents

Jazz at the Arts Centre

Casting the Runes The Gary Taylor Jazz Quintet Two Ghost Stories

Bla Bla Bla

In the fifth instalment of the M. R. James trilogy, Robert Lloyd Parry performs two of the writer’s most chilling works, The Casting of the Runes and The Residence of Whitminster. In the first story of the evening we meet the ‘Abbot of Lufford’ Mr Karswell, a historian of the occult seeking revenge on the academic establishment. In The Residence of Whitminster we are transported to a peaceful English church where a dark shadow looms.

Buxton Local Artists return for another evening of music from all genres.

by M. R. James

For ages 13 & over

Sunday lunchtime jazz concerts from the cream of the Manchester and North West scene.

This adventurous Manchesterbased 5-piece likes to plough a wide furrow of genres, including hard bop, mischievous blues, grooveinfused Latin and delicately crafted ballads, with influences ranging from Miles Davis, Ellington and Tracey to Pay Metheny and Paquito D'Rivera.

Lunches available in the Arts Centre bar from 12.30pm.

‘Storytelling at its best’ – The Stage

On the bill will be the Reverend Carl Edwards, a real life vicar and musician whose influences include rock, classical and gospel. Next up is singer-songwriter Mike Featherstone. He then joins 3piece Mamparra Smith with a funk and Latin inspired set.

Dave Speak and Ric Bateman come together as Bin 53.

Rounding off the night are Rose Amongst Thorns, whose energetic and passionate indierock sound has become very popular in Buxton.

Friday 13 February 7.30pm

Sunday 15 February 1pm

Friday 20 February 8pm

Tickets: £10 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £6 No discounts

Tickets: £7.50 Discounts available (see p54)

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‘A moving and stunning performance’ - Whats On Stage ‘Achingly beautiful, moving, incredible’ - Birmingham Post ‘It left me choked up and blinking back the tears at the end’ The Daily Telegraph

Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 February 7.30pm Matinees: Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm Tickets: £15, £18 (Tues to Thurs eves & Thurs mat) £20, £23 (Fri & Sat eves & Sat mat) Discounts available (see p54)

Schools workshops available: Contact csanders@boh.org.uk There will be a FREE after show Q&A with the company in the Stalls following Thursday evening's performance.

The critically acclaimed stage play, adapted from the novel

by Sebastian Faulks, comes to Buxton Opera House as part of a major national tour marking 100 years since the beginning of the First World War. In pre-war France, a young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down.

As the war breaks out, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the

Somme. Faced with unprecedented horror, he clings to the memory of Isabelle as the world explodes around him.

Birdsong is a mesmerising story of love and courage. Set both before and during the Great War, the large ensemble company captures the heartbreak, loss and the redemption love brings.

Contains strong language. For ages 12 & over only.

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Gary Delaney Purist Following appearances on Mock The Week and Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live comes Gary Delaney – whose single aim is to redress the balance of shows not containing enough jokes by coming up with one of his own. There will be no theme, narrative or voyage of selfdiscovery, only jokes and more jokes.

For ages 16 & over only.

‘I laughed and I laughed and I laughed… a master craftsman’ – Times ‘Gary Delaney has more quality jokes in this hour than many comics have in their entire careers…quite brilliant’ – Scotsman

Sunday 22 February 7.30pm Tickets: £14 No discounts

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Paul Taylor-Mills presents

Opera & Ballet International presents an Ellen Kent Production

Mini Movers & Groovers

My Dog’s Got No Nose

The Cat in the Hat

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

Madama Butterfly

Join us for our new Monday morning activity for under 5s, where toddlers and children can explore new worlds through creative movement and dance.

By Ron Aldridge Starring Damian Williams

The National Theatre’s adaptation of the much loved book by Dr Seuss comes to Buxton in a lively and engaging theatrical show for children and their families.

More stand-up from some new and not-so-new faces on the comedy club circuit.

By Puccini

Through a mixed sensory approach, your child will develop skills and confidence with support from an experienced Early Years teacher.

Sessions run every Monday for six weeks: 23 February 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, March Booking is advised but you can still drop in on the day.

23 February to 30 March 10am Tickets: £5 Book for 5 sessions, get one session FREE

This sometimes funny, sometimes sad but mostly hilarious one man show follows a stand-up comedian’s first ever performance. As he describes the events surrounding his first gig we learn about his early career as a furniture salesman-turnedphotographer, the times he’s been in love, his marriage and his ambitions.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream, his story is as poignant as it is laugh-out-loud funny as we discover that both the man and the performance are not quite as they seem.

It’s a cold, rainy day and Sally and her brother stare wistfully out of the window. It looks like it’s going to be a boring day, that is, until they see a tall, red and white striped hat appearing around the door. The Cat in the Hat is the funniest and most mischievous cat the children have met and soon they all go on an amazing adventure packed full of crazy ideas.

This month’s line-up: • • •

Gavin Webster Jay Hampson Marvyn Dickinson

Compere: Phil Chapman Shows may contain strong language & adult material.

One of the world’s most popular operas, Madama Butterfly tells the story of a young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant.

Puccini’s opera is tragic and beautiful, featuring the melodic Humming Chorus and the unforgettable arias One Fine Day and Love Duet.

With a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes, this lavish production features international soloists and the full Chisinau National Opera and National Philharmonic.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Monday 23 February 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 & Wednesday 25 February Tuesday 5pm Wednesday 1pm & 3pm

Friday 27 February 8pm

Sunday 1 March 7.30pm

Tickets: £14 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £13, £9 Family tickets available

Tickets: £7 No discounts

Tickets: £33, £36 Discounts available (see p54)

For ages 14 & over only.

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Theatre Royal Wakefield presents

Bouncers

By John Godber

Talking Scarlet presents

Table Manners

By Alan Ayckbourn

Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 February 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm Tickets: £16, £19 Discounts available

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Starring Anna Brecon (Emmerdale), Marcus Hutton (Brookside) and David Callister (The Bill).

This hilarious play follows six characters as they spend a weekend together in a country house. Among them is assistant librarian Norman, whose career-minded wife Ruth has little need for him – and Norman desperately needs to be needed. When he tries to bring happiness to the lives of all three women he is staying with, his efforts yield varying results.

Table Manners forms part of a trilogy of plays, The Norman Conquests. Written in 1973, each play is a self-contained work depicting the events of a single weekend from the perspective of different locations in the house.

The international smash hit comedy returns to Buxton featuring a frightening array of northern talent. Lucky Eric, Judd, Les and Ralph are the original men in black as they tell the tale of one night in a Yorkshire disco in the 80s in this outrageous parody of Saturday Night Fever. All the gang are out on the town, the boys, the girls, the cheesy DJ, the late night kebab man and the taxi home, all under the watchful eyes of the Bouncers.

A Curious Life

The Drifters

Followed by Levellers Acoustic Show

The Rebranded Tour 2015

A screening of the film A Curious Life followed by an acoustic performance by Levellers.

With hits such as Under The Boardwalk, Saturday Night at the Movies, Up On The Roof and More Than a Number in My Little Red Book, the Drifters have been a musical brand for over 60 years. With successful tours year after year, the current line up redefines the evolution of the group from its earliest days right up to the present.

A Curious Life charts the band’s rise to fame in the 90s, told through the unique perspective of Jeremy Cunningham, the band’s bass player, and directed by former Chumbawamba frontman Dunstan Bruce. The film tells how, after a few years in the wilderness, they reinvented themselves as a selfmanaging collective with their own label, studio and Beautiful Day festival. In 2014 the band released their Greatest Hits album, bringing together for the first time every one of their singles and music videos.

The Rebranded Tour 2015 keeps the phenomenon going and promises to be a high energy show replete with the band’s much loved four part harmonies and smooth style.

Certificate: 15

Monday 2 & Tuesday 3 March 7.30pm

Thursday 5 March 7.30pm

Friday 6 March 7.30pm

Tickets: £14 & £17 Discounts available

Tickets: £21, £23 No discounts

Tickets: £25, £26 Discounts available (see p54)

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The Billy Fury Story Thirty-one years since the death of ‘Britain’s own Elvis’, the original Fury’s Tornados perform Billy’s timeless hits in front of a giant screen featuring the legend himself.

Conductor: Anthony Krauss Leader: Jeff Moore Soloist: Ian Buckle piano

Starring Colin Gold as Fury, expect an atmosphere that’s both electric and emotional.

With an onscreen introduction from Fury’s long-term partner Lisa Voice, all the classics will be featured including Last Night Was Made For Love, I Will, Jealousy and Halfway To Paradise.

Three of the repertoire’s finest pieces. The St Paul’s Suite is Holst’s evocative portrait of Edwardian London, named after the school where he taught for nearly 30 years. Ian Buckle, regular soloist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and John Wilson Orchestras, performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto 23 in A Major. We conclude with Schubert’s 5th Symphony. Schubert was infatuated with Mozart at the time he composed it, in 1816, and the lighter orchestration will be familiar to any Mozart lover.

‘Rock 'n' Roll Heaven!!! A great 60's night out!’ The Stage

Holst - St Paul’s Suite Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 23 Schubert - Symphony No. 5

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Halfway to Paradise

The British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

Tara Arts in association with Queen’s Hall Arts & Black Live presents

Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Count Arthur Strong

Back to Broadway

The Blues Brothers Experience

Following huge success on BBC Radio 4 and BBC2, Count Arthur Strong returns with his new show Somebody Up There Licks Me.

Returning to Buxton for a second year, this all-singing, alldancing stage extravaganza had local audiences enthralled in 2013.

The Count is a one-time variety star who still believes he’s the king of light entertainment.

Ever optimistic, he hopes he’s got an audience in Buxton and has all sorts of wonderful things planned. As usual though, it’s likely to end in chaos.

Featuring songs from the greatest musicals of all time, including the unforgettable One Day More from Les Misérables, the glitz and glamour of Copacabana and the uplifting Time Of My Life from Dirty Dancing. Back To Broadway is performed live on stage by some of the country’s finest performers.

Since they started out in 1978 as a musical sketch on US TV show Saturday Night Live, the Blues Brothers have become a worldwide phenomenon. With a studio album and major Hollywood film, the band took on a life of their own beyond the confines of television.

Somebody Up There Licks Me Three outrageous drag-queens cook up an explosive brew of treachery, ambition and passion, setting an Asian family off on a path of bloody selfdestruction. Tara Arts brings Indian movement and music to Shakespeare’s text, offering a powerful contemporary take on his darkest play.

There will be a post-show Q&A with the company in the stalls following the afternoon performance.

StageOps: Full With Horrors workshop available, please see page 25.

Count Arthur Strong is the creation of Steve Delaney and has long been a Fringe favourite. He returns to Buxton after his first attempt to win the crowds over back in 2008.

The Blues Brothers Experience recreates the iconic performances of Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi. Along with a ten-piece band and featuring songs from the movie soundtrack, this concert performance is an electrifying soul music experience.

Saturday 7 March 7.30pm

Sunday 8 March 7.30pm

Tuesday 10 March 1.30pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 11 March 7.30pm

Thursday 12 March 7.30pm

Friday 13 March 7.30pm

Tickets: £18, £21 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £18, £21, £24 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £14, £17 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £15.50, £18.50 No discounts

Tickets: £16, £19 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £18.50 Discounts available (see p54)

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1623 and Buxton Opera House present

Buxton Opera House Young Company presents

The Accordion Shop

By Cush Jumbo

Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 March 7.30pm Tickets: £10, £12 Discounts available (see p54)

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The Young Company is Buxton Opera House’s flagship membership scheme for young people.

For their first major project since launching in 2014, the Young Company will be taking part in the National Theatre Connections Festival - a UK wide scheme giving young people experience of professional theatre making.

Mister Ellody has quietly kept his accordion shop going on the high street for generations. One day, he steps out of his door and witnesses an extraordinary incident: hundreds of young people are surging

onto the street, after receiving the same text message on their phones which simply says "The Road. 7pm. Riot."

The Young Company is for anyone between the ages of 12 and 25. As well as acting, the company has opportunities for young people interested in backstage work and marketing.

To find out more see page 51 or contact the Learning and Participation Department, email:csanders@boh.org.uk

Jurassic Adventures

Let’s Hang On

StageOps:

The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Full with Horrors Macbeth Workshop

This brand new, groundbreaking family show transports the audience to a Jurassic theme park complete with state-of-the-art lighting, sound and scenery. As well as a special climate system designed to heighten the sensory experience, audiences will come face to face with a cyclone and interact with two animatronic dinosaurs.

Following huge demand after their performance here last year, Let’s Hang On returns to take you on a musical journey through the history of one of the most successful bands of all time – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

StageOps is our new season of workshops for adults. Designed for beginners, each session is tied in with one of our shows, in this case Tara Arts’ production of Macbeth and is a great way to learn new skills, meet people and have fun!

"I have supped full with horrors": Macbeth

For ages 3 to 11 & their families.

Featuring an anthology of hit songs including Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Bye Bye Baby, December 1963 (Oh What A Night!), Walk Like A Man, Sherry, Working My Way Back To You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Grease and many more, prepare for an electric atmosphere. Don’t be surprised to find yourself on your feet and dancing before the night is over.

Saturday 14 March 2pm & 5pm

Sunday 15 March 7.30pm

Monday 16 March 7pm

Tickets: £14, £16 Family tickets available (see p54)

Tickets: £22.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets £10 (£5 when you book for Macbeth, Tuesday 10 March)

With a full cast of actors and puppeteers, Jurassic Adventures is a fully immersive and unique theatrical experience where the action starts the moment the audience take their seats.

Join us as we explore witchcraft, make stage blood and step into the shoes of some of Shakespeare's most macabre and fascinating characters, who speak some of the most beautiful yet deadly poetry ever written.

For ages 16 & over only.

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Swansea City Opera presents

Daphnis Duo

Le Vent Du Nord

Faust

Le Vent du Nord are a young and progressive folk quartet whose rich and varied instrumentation, musical arrangements and wonderful vocals have made them one of the most important francophone ambassadors out of North America.

By Gounod

Songs of Hope & Inspiration

Appears by kind permission of the RNCM To mark St Patrick’s Day, the duo will be performing a programme to include traditional Irish music and In Ireland by Sir Hamilton-Harty.

Holly Melia: flute Alice Kirwan: harp Since their first performance together in summer 2009, the two accomplished chamber musicians have not only been given their own spotlight concert and numerous lunchtime recitals but last year performed Toward the Sea by Takemitsu at the British Flute Convention.

A rarely performed production of the gothic tale. Faust is weary of life and is contemplating suicide when he encounters the diabolic Méphistophélès. He agrees to exchange his soul for eternal youth and the fulfilment of his hedonistic wishes.

After the performance there will be a meet and greet with the musicians over coffee.

From Quebec, the band captures all the energy and mirth of a Saturday night kitchen party, infusing their traditional repertoire with a fresh cosmopolitan feel. Their seventh studio album Tromper le temps (Fooling Time) was released in 2012 and the group combine traditional Québecois songs with original compositions.

This is a rare opportunity to see Gounod’s finest work, regarded by many as a master class in operatic dramatic structure. Historically Faust was one of the most famous and performed of all operas and was chosen as the first opera to be performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

Tuesday 17 March 1pm

Tuesday 17 March 7.30pm

Wednesday 18 March 7.30pm

Tickets: £7 No discounts

Tickets: £15 + £1.50 booking fee Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £18, £21, £24 Discounts available (see p54)

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Aled Jones Best known for his pure treble voice, Aled has been a household name for nearly three decades. Now a regular presenter on Songs of Praise and many other television programmes, he has also been a musical theatre performer, actor and dancer. In this very special evening, Aled will be sharing stories from his varied career along with musical numbers from his extensive repertoire.

The Bootleg Beatles

Secret Love

The world’s most acclaimed Beatles tribute band return to Buxton following appearances at the Glastonbury Festival, several world-tours and many sell-out shows. They have won over the most-hardened sceptics with their incredible recreation of one of the most loved songbooks of all time and with a little help from their orchestral ensemble, even manage to reproduce songs the Fab Four never actually performed themselves.

Acclaimed singer and West End actress Claudia Morris presents an intimate evening of music and reminiscence as she explores the extraordinary life of Doris Day. With a career encompassing the big band era, Hollywood stardom and animal rights campaigning, Day’s life has seen financial disaster, domestic tragedy and comeback success.

The Life & Music of Doris Day

Every detail is meticulously covered, from costumes to authentic period instruments, their witty ‘Scouse’ banter and their ‘inflection perfect’ vocal mimicry.

Accompanied by a live band with guest appearances from actors portraying key characters in Day’s life, this is a show that is unique, heart-warming and upbeat. Expect plenty of laughs, a few tears and some surprises in this celebration of Day's extraordinary music, movies and marriages from one of her most dedicated fans.

Thursday 19 March 7.30pm

Friday 20 March 7.30pm

Friday 20 March 7.30pm

Tickets: £26.50, £28.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £28 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £18.50 Discounts available (see p54)

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The 9th Buxton Soul Night

Paul Carrack

Returning for another night of Northern Soul, the nation’s finest DJs will be bringing back the tunes that made Wigan Casino famous. With a large dance floor and bar until 1am, Buxton’s Soul Nights are the place to be for all fans of true Northern Soul.

The former Mike + The Mechanics frontman and Squeeze member has a reputation as a stunning live performer. As the voice behind world-wide hits such as Ace's How Long, Squeeze's Tempted and the timeless classic The Living Years, Paul Carrack frequently plays to packed houses in Buxton.

Record sellers are welcome by arrangement. Contact phil@soulovereasy.co.uk If you are interested in Northern Soul, Buxton Film will be screening the film Northern Soul on Wednesday 25 March as part of the Buxton Festival of World Cinema (see page 30).

Plus support: Robert Vincent

Opening the show is searingly honest singer-songwriter Robert Vincent whose debut album, Life In Easy Steps, and extensive touring with Paul Carrack have earned him great accolades: this is one of those occasions where you definitely take your seat in time for the support!

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Immersion Theatre in association with Cambridge Touring Theatre

Buxton Opera House and Buxton Festival presents

Jeremy Hardy

The Wind in the Willows

Wright Marshall An Audience with Charity Antiques John Sergeant Roadshow

Well known for his appearances on The News Quiz and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, Jeremy Hardy is back on the road for 2015. Last year he completed his tenth series of Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation on BBC Radio 4.

Join Ratty, Mole, Badger and, of course, Toad, as they embark on the musical adventure of a life time, culminating in a colourful battle with the pick-pocketing weasels who are trying to take over Toad Hall.

‘In an ideal world, Jeremy Hardy would be extremely famous, but an ideal world would leave him without most of his best material’ – Guardian

With eye-catchingly elaborate costumes and toe-tapping music, this new adaptation of the classic children’s story is a perfect treat for all the family.

Join Wright Marshall Antiques in the Edwardian splendour of Buxton Opera House. Come and have your prized possessions valued for just £2 an item and we’ll donate all the proceeds to Buxton Opera House. You never know, you might have some hidden gems...!

For ages 5+ & their families.

The former BBC correspondent and ITV political editor is one of the most popular and respected broadcasters. His career in journalism has been lengthy and accomplished with interviews with Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair. His recent television appearances have included The One Show, Have I Got News For You, and Room 101, as well as Strictly Come Dancing where he was taken to the nation’s heart.

Friday 20 March 8pm

Saturday 21 March 7.30pm

Saturday 21 March 7.30pm

Sunday 22 March 2pm

Tuesday 24 March 10.30am – 4pm

Wednesday 25 March 7.30pm

Tickets: £7 No discounts

Tickets: £29.50, £35 No discounts

Tickets: £15 Discounts: JSA/Income Support £5

Tickets: Adults £9.50, Children £7.50 Family tickets available

Entry is free to this event. Each valuation costs £2.

Tickets: £16, £19 Discounts available (see p54)

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monday 23 to sunday 29 march

Ida (15)

Buxton Film returns with a series of screenings from around the world. With movies for all ages, both English and foreign language, this year’s programme is full of passion, colour, action and suspense.

Date

Time

Venue

Length

Title

Mon 23

7.30pm

Arts Centre

75mins

Pretty Village (tbc)

Tue 24

7pm

Pauper's Pit

91 mins

Lilting (15)

9pm

Pauper's Pit

80 mins

Ida (15)

5pm

Arts Centre

102 mins

Northern Soul (15)

7.30pm

Arts Centre

95 mns

Two Days, One Night (15)

5pm

Arts Centre

123 mins

La Sirène du Mississipi (12)

7.30pm

Arts Centre

100 mins

Magic in the Moonlight (12A)

2.30pm

Pauper's Pit

114 mins

The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (15)

5pm

Arts Centre

126 mins

The Wind Rises (PG)

7.30pm

Arts Centre

108 mins

The Golden Dream (12)

2.30pm

Pauper's Pit

93 mins

Le Jour Se Lève (PG)

2.30pm

Arts Centre

92 + 84 mins

The Fox and the Child (+ Tales of the Night) (U)

5pm

Arts Centre

95 mins

What We Did On Our Holiday (12A)

7.30pm

Arts Centre

150 mins

Mr. Turner (12A)

2.30pm

Pauper's Pit

131 mins

Manuscripts Don’t Burn (15)

2.30pm

Arts Centre

40 + 32 mins

White Mane & Peter and the Wolf (U)

5pm

Arts Centre

101 mins

Notorious (U)

7.30pm

Arts Centre

120 mins

Pride (15)

Wed 25 Thu 26

Buxton festival of

world cinema2015 Northern Soul (15)

The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (15)

Fri 27

Pretty Village Directed by: David Evans Duration: 75mins Year: 2013 Cert: tbc Pretty Village tells the harrowing story of the 1992 Kevljani massacre and its continuing effect on the lives of survivors. On the anniversary of this forgotten episode of the Bosnian conflict, survivor Kemal Pervanic returns to his former home town. Using home movies and personal testimonies from the villagers, director David Evans visits a pre-war world where Serbs, Croats and Muslims lived in a complex web of mutual support systems and shared values.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with director David Evans and the film’s producer and subject Kemal Pervanic and cineaste DW Mault.

Sat 28

Sun 29

Tickets: £4 Discounts available

Lilting (15)

Two Days, One Night (15)

The Golden Dream (12)

Le Jour Se Leve (PG)

What We Did On Our Holiday (12A)

Mr Turner (12A)

Manuscripts Don’t Burn (15)

Pride (15)

Monday 23 March 7.30pm White Mane

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The Wind Rises (PG)

Tickets: £4 Discounts available

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Claire Sweeney in

Sex in Suburbia

Written by Claire Sweeney and Mandy Muden.

Featuring sensational songs including I’m Every Woman, I Want To Break Free and Somebody Else’s Guy, Claire Sweeney stars as Penny Crowe, an agony aunt on a late-night radio phone-in show. In spite of taking calls on the worst dating experiences imaginable, she finds it isn’t always easy taking her own relationship advice.

Sex in Suburbia is co-written

by Claire Sweeney and based on real stories from real women. The show comes to Buxton direct from a highly successful run at the Liverpool Royal Court.

King of Pop

An Intimate Evening with

Starring ‘Navi’, who is officially recognised as the world’s number one Michael Jackson impersonator, this superb production features a live band together with incredible dancers and has been taking the UK by storm. Navi is able to recreate with high precision the look and sound of the King of Pop – he has performed at two of Michael’s birthday parties and was often hired as a body double, all down to his uncanny resemblance to the star. King of Pop is a thrilling tribute to a legend.

Russell Watson is one of the world’s most prominent tenors and the UK’s best-selling classical artists. His nine studio albums have sold over seven million copies, with each album winning more critical acclaim that the last. He has performed for the Queen, had a private audience with the late Pope John Paul II and collaborated with Pavarotti, Cliff Richard and even Meatloaf. He is still very much the godfather of classical crossover and this concert is a unique opportunity to hear ‘The Voice’ as he’s never been heard before.

Russell Watson

‘He sings like Pavarotti and entertains the audience like Sinatra’ – New York Times

Tom Hart Dyke

Mugs’ Arrows

Steve Howe

The horticulturist and gardening TV presenter discusses his captivity in Colombia, after a plant hunting expedition went dangerously wrong. When guerrillas told him he was going to die, he planned a ‘world garden’ for his ancestral home Lullingstone Castle in Kent. That garden has now opened its doors to thousands of visitors from all over the world. With passion and humour, Hart Dyke tells us about his continued expeditions while demonstrating a vast knowledge of exotic plantlife from all over the globe.

By Eddie Elks

Steve Howe started playing the guitar over 50 years ago and from a young age discovered many styles. As well as having an interest in rock, pop and blues, Howe also plays jazz, classical and folk and his exploration of different musical genres have helped define him as a world renowned guitar player.

‘The new David Bellamy’ the Guardian

Presented by Third Man Theatre in association with Nottingham Playhouse and The Bike Shed Theatres.

A surreal, black comedy set in the very ordinary surroundings of a local Derbyshire pub. The show delves into a changing world and explores the depths of the human psyche, love, loss, friendship – all alongside a game of darts.

‘Sustaining the fine balance between comedy and drama, it’s the inventive writing and truthful characterisations that lingers in the memory’ – Public Reviews

Howe will play some of his more familiar pieces plus several new tunes like Solitaire from Yes’ Fly From Here album, The Golden Mean and others. There will also be various arrangements of Yes songs as well asother tunes he’s picked up along the way.

Thursday 26 March 7.30pm

Friday 27 March 7.30pm

Saturday 28 March 7.30pm

Sunday 29 March 7.30pm

Monday 30 & Tuesday 31 March 7.30pm

Wednesday 1 April 7.30pm

Tickets: £19, £22 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £16, £18 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £32.50, £37.50, £45 No Discounts

Tickets: £16 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £10 Discounts available (see p54)

Ticket: £20 + £1.50 booking fee No discounts

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Tangram Theatre presents

Islands in the Stream

Essence of Ireland

Darwin: The Origin of Species

Guns N’ Roses Experience

More stand-up from some new and not-so-new faces on the comedy club circuit.

Or its full title: “On the origin of species by means of natural selection”!

This month’s line-up:

The Origin of Species... tells the incredible story of how Charles Darwin came to discover the secrets of evolution and why it took him over twenty years before he found the courage to publish his remarkable idea.

Packed with big ideas, terrible puns, brilliant physical comedy and original songs, there’s something for everyone in this unique and enlightening show.

Since their very first gig the Guns N’ Roses Experience train has been rolling at an incredible pace, visiting various Middle Eastern countries, mainland Europe, Cyprus, Ireland and all of the major venues in the UK.

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

The Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers Story With a superb score and excellent musicianship, the queen and king of country music are celebrated in a new stage show guaranteed to have audiences slapping their thighs and singing along to hits including Jolene, 9 to 5 and, of course, Islands in the Stream.

Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers began recording together in 1983 and released Islands in the Stream that year, a song originally written by the Bee Gees for Marvin Gaye. The song was a huge success and further collaborations followed. This tribute show captures both the warm vocals and gentle humour of their legendary live performances.

Set against the backdrop of Ireland, England and America in the 19th century, Essence of Ireland tells the story of love, joy, happiness and heartache endured by Coro McGowen and Sean Dempsey as they are separated by emigration from each other and their beloved Ireland.

With Irish classics such as Galway Girl, Emigrant Eyes, Tell me Ma, Irish Rover along with original scores, Essence of Ireland is the most complete Irish show in the world today.

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Rhodri Rhys Danny Ward Marvin Cheeseman

Compere: Freddy Quinne Shows may contain strong language & adult material.

The Full On Fox Tour 2015

The Guns N’ Roses Experience meticulously recreates every visual detail and every musical note to capture that reckless spirit of the original Guns N’ Roses legendary live performances.

‘Remarkably inventive, thoroughly entertaining... extraordinarily effective... 19thcentury science can rarely have been so fascinating and never so much fun’ – The Stage

‘Every day is St Patricks Day when these guys are in town’ – BBC Early Bird Offer: £3 off per ticket if booked before 3 January. Code: EOI15

The Basil Brush Show Britain’s most loveable fox is back on the road along with his TV chum Mr Stephen (aka Chris Pizzey). Together they will take you on a journey of laughs, storytelling and song in a brand new, specially written live stage show, packed with fun and excitement.

Come and join in the mayhem, along with Mr Stephen who is continually interrupted by naughty uncontrollable Basil!

There will also be a meet and greet with Basil and Mr Stephen in the foyer after the show.

Thursday 2 April 7.30pm

Friday 3 April 7.30pm

Friday 3 April 8pm

Saturday 4 April 7.30pm

Saturday 4 April 7.30pm

Tuesday 7 April 11am & 2.30pm

Tickets: £19.50, £22.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £22.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £7 No discounts

Tickets: £11, £14 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £14, £17 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: Adults £14, Children £12 Discounts available (see p54)

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Tree Fu Tom

Jazz at the Arts Centre

The Hollies

A Night of Queen with The Bohemians

The world’s smallest superhero from the smashhit BAFTAnominated CBeebies series will be coming to Buxton in a brand new stage show.

Tom is a seemingly ordinary boy but when he leaves his house and puts on his power belt he shrinks in size and becomes a superhero in the magical world of Treetopolis.

Watch as the world of Treetopolis comes to life in an adventure packed with fun, music and participation.

The Hollies are back with another two-hour celebration of classic hits from their long and successful career. The group are best known for their distinctive three part vocal harmony style and hits such as The Air That I Breathe, On a Carousel and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother. The group will be playing without support and look forward to coming back to Buxton where they have frequently sold out. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Internationally renowned Queen tribute band The Bohemians return with a concert celebrating Queen’s finest live performances. A Night of Queen is a complete production featuring new costumes and a set that takes audiences back to the early 70s and transporting them forward to the Magic of ‘86, ending in grand style with all the pomp of a live Queen show.

Tree Fu Tom was developed in conjunction with the Dyspraxia Foundation with the aim of promoting movement in children.

Wednesday 8 April 2pm Tickets: Adults £13.50, Children £11.50 Family tickets available

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Ian Prowse and Amsterdam

Just So

After founding Pele in 1990, Ian Prowse formed Amsterdam, whose first single The Journey enjoyed international success in 2005. This was followed up with Does This Train Stop On Merseyside, a song which famously elicited an emotional response from John Peel's widow Sheila Ravenscroft following the DJ's death and was covered by Irish legend Christy Moore. Prowse is longterm friend of Elvis Costello, who has used Amsterdam as his backing band. Recently, Prowse has released his first solo album Who Loves Ya Baby to blanket praise.

The Extraordinary Life and Times of Rudyard Kipling

Unfurl

with Robert Powell

The popular stage and screen actor Robert Powell explores the many different worlds of Rudyard Kipling. From idyllic memories of India to the horrors of the First World War, Kipling became one of the prime chroniclers of that time.

Powell’s readings will be accompanied with music from Christine Croshaw on piano and Clive Conway on flute.

‘A magnificent collection of songs’ - Liverpool Echo

Enjoy a rare chance to revisit the moving and often poignant eloquence of this extraordinary storyteller and poet - one of the most intriguing and controversial of all our great writers.

Sunday lunchtime jazz concerts from the cream of the Manchester and North West scene.

Combining Indian ragas, flamenco and Arabic music with improvisation, Unfurl create an original sound ranging from the dramatic to the sublime.

Led by Olivia Moore, the band have been enthusiastically received at numerous jazz festivals across the country, including Manchester, Marsden, Marlborough, Brecon, Gateshead and the London Jazz Festival as well as in numerous clubs and theatre venues.

Lunches available in the Arts Centre bar from 12.30pm.

Thursday 9 April 7.30pm

Friday 10 April 7.30pm

Saturday 11 April 7.30pm

Sunday 12 April 7.30pm

Sunday 12 April 1pm

Tickets: £26.50, £29.50 No discounts

Tickets: £15.50, £18.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £14 + £1.50 booking fee No discounts

Tickets: £18 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £6 No discounts

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4 Parts Guitar

Amici Trio

Join us for our new Monday morning activity for under 5s, where toddlers and children can explore new worlds through creative movement and dance.

Gordon Giltrap, John Etheridge, Clive Carroll and Raymond Burley.

The bassoon ensemble performs works by Bach, Beethoven, Boleros and Brubeck alongside new music from emerging composers.

Through a mixed sensory approach, your child will develop skills and confidence with support from an experienced Early Years teacher.

Sessions run every Monday for six weeks: 13, 20, 27, April 4, 11, 18 May Booking is advised but you can still drop in on the day.

13 April to 18 May 10am Tickets: £5 Book for 5 sessions, get one session FREE

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Following their successful tour in 2014, 4 Parts Guitar bring their remarkable musicianship to the Arts Centre this April. All four musicians have collaborated with artists such as John Williams, Rick Wakeman, Stéphane Grappelli and Cliff Richard.

With a mix of solo, duo and quartet pieces, the music is spontaneous, exciting and technically brilliant with Gordon, Ray, John and Clive all bringing their individual styles to the group.

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Mini Movers & Groovers

Appears by kind permission of the RNCM

Alejandra Rojas: bassoon Andres Yauri: bassoon Sam Brough: bassoon Formed last year by students of Stefano Canuti’s class in Manchester, the trio is dedicated to expanding the bassoon’s repertoire with regular transcriptions of established composers for the ensemble.

After the performance there will be a meet and greet with the musicians over coffee.

Talking Scarlet presents

Stone Cold Murder

By James Cawood

Tuesday 14 April 7.30pm

Friday 17 April 1pm

Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 April 7.30pm Saturday matinee 2.30pm

Tickets: £15 + £1.50 booking fee No discounts

Tickets: £7 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £16, £19 Discounts available

A tense thriller set in deep winter in the English Lake District. Olivia and Robert, owners of the Langstrath Country House Hotel, are enjoying the success of their first season and the respite of the winter break when their solitude is disrupted by the appearance of Ramsay, a lost climber looking for shelter. As the evening unfolds, it becomes apparent that Ramsay’s presence in this desolate spot is anything but a coincidence, and soon events take a murderous turn.

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Speakers from the Edge presents

Jamie Allan: iMagician

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

Ash Dykes

Dara O’Briain Crowd Tickler

Mixed Programme 2015

The Evolution of Magic

Breaking Mongolia: The Lonely Snow Leopard

A double bill from Christopher Bruce CBE including a brand new work Shadows and a restaging of his energetic study of life in the 1940s, Shift.

Featuring a full live band and starring Dean Elliott (The West End Experience, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story) as Paul Simon, the complete story of the American folk rock duo, who went on to influence the likes of Belle and Sebastian, is told through their music and on stage projections using genuine film footage from their career.

The fourth piece is a darkly comic work by the exciting new choreographer Caroline Finn, whose style is playful, quirky and highly engaging.

Jamie Allan returns with his iMagician show exploring the work of history’s greatest illusionist, demonstrating how their tricks can be updated using modern technology, making them even more mindblowing! The Evolution of Magic is an action packed show that’s original, spectacular and modern. The extravaganza includes high powered laser beams, iPads, Twitter and Facebook and new for 2015, Jamie’s virtual assistant - a full scale volumetric hologram.

Dara O’Briain is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV. He is the host of the hugely successful Mock The Week, The Apprentice You’re Fired and Star Gazing Live – not forgetting his most recent shows Dara O’ Briain: School of Hard Sums on Dave and Dara O’ Briain’s Science Club on BBC2.

Catch one of the most charismatic, intelligent, fasttalking and downright funny live performers working today.

'Daring, exciting, dynamic choreography danced with vigour enjoyment and pride' – The Stage

‘To sum up the show: Original!

Entertaining! Great magic!

Jamie Allan’s iMagician is a must see’ – Magic Week

From the Altai Mountains, across the Gobi Desert to the Mongolian Steppe, Ash Dykes walked Mongolia, solo, and set a new world record. Pulling a 120kg cart of provisions, he battled sandstorms, heat exhaustion and dehydration and became known as ‘the lonely snow leopard’; acknowledgement of the respectful distance kept by the dangerous wild wolves. In Breaking Mongolia: The Lonely Snow Leopard, Ash covers the challenges he faced, and the determination required, to achieve this incredible feat.

Tuesday 21 April 7.30pm

Thursday 23 April 7.30pm

Friday 24 April 7.30pm

Friday 24 April 7.30pm

Saturday 25 April 7.30pm

Tickets: £15, £18 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £13 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £24 No discounts

Nights on Broadway

Phoenix Dance Theatre

The Bee Gees Story The Bee Gees began singing close harmony as children and grew to become world superstars by their early twenties. They went on to be acknowledged as some of the greatest song writers in history.

Nights On Broadway presents a tribute to the Bee Gees through a fantastic live concert, featuring the Gibb brother’s incredible songs from over four decades. Backed by a seven piece band, this is an authentic Bee Gees concert experience featuring a unique blend of classic hits, acoustic medleys and dance floor favourites.

Sunday 19 April 7.30pm Tickets: £15.50, £18.50 Discounts available (see p54)

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Phoenix Artistic Director Sharon Watson will then present a new piece building on her exploration of tears through dance using her simultaneously mesmerising choreography style.

Tickets: £13, £16 Discounts available (see p54)

‘Fantastic’ – BBC Radio 2 ‘Authentic and exciting’ – The Stage

‘If you want a comic who can hold an audience in the palm of his hand for two hours, here’s your man’ – Times For ages 15 & over only.

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Buxton Community School presents

The Searchers

Bella Hardy

Featuring John McNally, Frank Allen, Spencer James & Scott Ottaway, The Searchers’ remarkable career continues.

With total record sales well in excess of 50 million, they still have great appeal to audiences of all ages, touring the globe as much today as they have done since first coming together five decades ago.

Following the release of her eagerly anticipated new album With The Dawn, the High Peak singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Singer of the Year Bella Hardy makes a full band appearance in Buxton. One of the UK’s most original and creative singers, Hardy tells a story of travel, choices, lessons unlearned and hope. The With The Dawn Band compliment her breathtaking vocals and narrative fiddle with a powerful and evocative mix of banjo, piano, electronics and drums.

Combined with anecdotes and reminiscences, this fully selfcontained concert includes hits such as Sweets For My Sweet, Needles and Pins, Don’t Throw Your Love Away, Sugar and Spice and many more.

With The Dawn Tour 2015

‘...unveiled, committed, uncontrived, persuasive, passionate, empowering, and utterly wonderful’ – fRoots

Dare Dream Dance Dare, Dream, Dance is an explosive and vibrant dance display from students at Buxton Community School, aged 11 to 18.

This evening of dance will showcase a variety of styles from street to contemporary and jazz to break dance, celebrating the work of the dance department within Buxton Community School.

This is the sixth dance show to be held at Buxton Opera House and promises to entertain as well as highlight the great talent of Buxton Community School’s dancers.

Talking Scarlet presents

The End of the Affair

By Graham Greene

Sunday 26 April 7.30pm

Sunday 26 April 7.30pm

Thursday 30 April 7.30pm

Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 April 7.30pm Matinee Wednesday 2.30pm

Tickets: £17, £20 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £15 + £1.50 booking fee No discounts

Tickets: £7 Discounts available (see p54)

Tickets: £16, £19 Discounts available

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Set in London during and just after World War II, The End of the Affair tells the story of up and coming writer Maurice Bendrix and his passionate relationship with Sarah Miles, the wife of an impotent civil servant.

After a violent episode at Maurice’s apartment, Sarah suddenly and without explanation breaks off the affair. This very intimate story examines themes of obsession and jealousy, enhanced by writer Graham Greene’s evocative analysis of the love of self, the love of another, and the love of God.

Acclaimed theatre company Taking Scarlet brings this classic text to the stage following recent visits to the Opera House with of Devil at Midnight and Double Death.

For ages 14 & over only.

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buxton

Folk

in May

Book for any event during Buxton Folk in May and get £2 off each subsequent purchase*

Altan Saturday 9 May 7.30pm Opera House

With music ranging from sensitive and touching old Irish songs to hard hitting reels and jigs, Altan have moved audiences around the world with their heartwarming and dynamic live performances.

FRIGG Friday 1 May 7.30pm Opera House

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience* Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May Dinner: 7.30pm (Doors 7pm) Lunch: (Saturday & Sunday) 1pm (Doors 12.30pm) Tickets: Wed - Thurs £36 (includes meal) Friday, Saturday, Sunday £39.50 No discounts

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Following sell-out shows in May 2014, the dining experience everyone is talking about returns…

With only a third of the show scripted, anything can happen as the guest diners take their seats in ‘Fawlty Towers’ restaurant. Waited on by Basil, Sybil and Manuel, the fully immersive, highly improvised and sitespecific comedy theatre show offers the height of entertainment.

Expect all the best gags, shambolic service and a 70s style 3-course meal in ‘a gale force frenzy of chaos and comedy’ (Manchester Evening News). Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience is internationally acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.

Customers are kindly advised not to mention the war.

‘Hilarious, delicious… a legend’ – The Skinny ‘Truly an experience… a fantastic evening’ – What’s On Stage ‘Outstanding’ – FringeReview *Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience was created in 1997, a time when John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs were still young enough to have performed the roles. To avoid confusion, the show’s title is spelled as such so that our customers are not under the impression that the original cast are featured. The producers of Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience work often with the BBC and Mr Cleese is aware of the show’s existence.

After dazzling at Celtic Connections, the Scots Fiddle Festival, the Sage Gateshead and Cambridge Folk Festival, this young international fiddle septet are one of the finest of a new generation of folk artists.

‘An unfailingly exciting live band... all-carrying original tunes at the prow of the Kaustinen sound’ – fRoots

sense, and its growing influence and popularity have proved them right.

2015 sees the release of Altan's new album The Road Home featuring guests such as Alison Brown, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Darol Anger, Kenny Malone, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Eddi Reader, Bruce Molsky and Jerry Douglas.

The band is committed to bringing the beauty of traditional music, particularly that of the Donegal fiddlers and singers, to contemporary audiences in a way that highlights all of its qualities Tickets: £20 and destroys none. In fact, + £1.50 booking fee Altan have always believed that Irish traditional music is a modern music in every

‘Nordgrass rocks!’

– The Living Tradition

All members have studied Tickets: £18.50 at top music universities + £1.50 booking fee and have devised their own blend of folk called Nordgrass, a mix of Nordic folk and American bluegrass. The result is hiptwitching and heartburstingly beautiful music, infused with traditional Finnish tunes and feisty Norwegian detours. *Offer subject to availability. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer or on previous ticket purchases. This offer is valid only on performances specified in the offer. Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time. Tickets must be purchased at the same time.

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buxton

Folk

in May

Big Session In Buxton Oysterband & June Tabor & guests Saturday 2 May 7.30pm Opera House

Tabor, almost twenty-one years after they joined forces for Freedom & Rain.

The most recent Oysterband studio album Diamonds on the Water was released in 2014, their first collection of entirely new material in seven years.

“From beginning to end, Diamonds On The Water is quite, quite brilliant." Folk Radio "You know this will become one of the Oysters' best-loved albums..." fRoots

Big Session in Buxton Sat 2 May 4pm - 6.30pm The Old Clubhouse Music Session led by Simon Care 7.30pm Buxton Opera House Oysterband and June Tabor with special guests 11pm ‘til late The Old Clubhouse Late night music session with local musicians

We’re delighted to announce Big Session in Buxton 2015! Big Session is the brainchild of Oysterband and over the past decade has evolved from a folk festival convention through a greenfield event in Leicester and at Catton Hall in South Derbyshire, to convening in towns that boast some of England’s most iconic venues.

Big Session in Buxton 2015 will include Oysterband and June Tabor joined by special guests on the Saturday night for the main, three-part concert at the Opera House, along with informal music sessions led by melodeon wizard Simon Care and various High Peak

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musicians throughout the weekend at the Old Clubhouse, and a guided Sunday morning walk around the beautiful spa town of Buxton led by Oysterband frontman John Jones, who is famed for his rambling!

Oysterband make modern, folkbased British music, acoustic at heart, sometimes intense, sometimes rocking. Since 1978 they have made twelve studio albums, played in thirty-five countries in every type of venue from jails and political rallies to festivals and gigs, and won five BBC Folk Awards, three of which were for Ragged Kingdom, their 2011 reunion album with June

Celtic Fiddle Festival

We Banjo 3

Sunday 10 May 7.30pm

Friday 28 May 7.30pm

Arts Centre

Arts Centre

Celebrating 20 years of unique, compelling and powerful music, Celtic Fiddle Festival released their sixth recording Live in Brittany in 2014 encapsulating the energy and excitement of a live performance along with the beauty and vitality of this ageless music.

The award-winning quartet from Galway combines Irish old-time bluegrass music and song to reveal the banjo's rich legacy and roots.

Featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals and percussion, We Banjo 3 make an extraordinary musical statement and the band are among the most celebrated and distinguished young musicians in Ireland today.

Called ‘three of the finest folk violinists anywhere’ by The Washington Post, Celtic Fiddle Festival celebrates the violin in all its globe-trotting variations. Fiddlers Kevin Burke, Christian Lemaître and André Brunet showcase a fascinating juxtaposition of international and individual styles.

Accompanying them is Nicolas Quemener, a master open-tuning guitarist.

Tickets: £16 + £1.50 booking fee

Sunday 3 May 11am Start from Buxton Opera House forecourt Easy walk around Buxton area led by John Jones 12.30pm The Old Clubhouse Session led by Simon Care with members of the Oysterband Tickets for Oysterband and June Tabor : £22, £25, £27.50 + £1.50 booking fee Participation in the sessions and walk is free to ticket-holders for the main concert, but is subject to capacity restrictions. For further information visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/ bigsessioninbuxton

Book for any event during Buxton Folk in May and get £2 off each subsequent purchase*

Merrymouth Friday 22 May 7.30pm Arts Centre

Merrymouth are a three piece folkorientated band featuring Ocean Colour Scene songwriter and vocalist Simon Fowler, Dan Sealey and Adam Barry.

Following on from the success of Roots of the Banjo Tree, their latest album Gather the Good traces the fascinating journey of banjo music from the cottonfields of America to the roaring 20s in New York to Appalachian Old Time, bluegrass and modern traditional Irish music.

Tickets: £14 + £1.50 booking fee

Their debut album Merrymouth was toured during 2013 and included performances at BBC Radio 2’s CarFest, the Mosely Folk Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The band’s latest album Wenlock Hill is a collection of new songs featuring John McCusker on violin, with a special guest appearance from Chas Hodges of Chas & Dave (piano), Catherine Harper (cello), Andy Derrick (trombone), Hugh Thomas (Clarinet), Anthony Jones (muted trumpet) and Nick Lyndon (double bass).

"Beautiful and Majestic" Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2 Tickets: £12 + £1.50 booking fee

*Offer subject to availability. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer or on previous ticket purchases. This offer is valid only on performances specified in the offer. Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time. Tickets must be purchased at the same time.

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‘Blissfully funny… In short, a superb, life-enhancing play’ – HHHHH Guardian

Sell A Door Theatre Company presents

English Touring Opera The 2014 Olivier Award winning company return to Buxton with a season of Italian operas, sung in their original language.

Tickets: £18, £26, £30, £34 Discounts available (see p54) Book for both operas at the same time, and save £10 off the total price (top two prices only).

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Thursday 14 & Saturday 16 May 7.30pm

Friday 15 May 7.30pm

La Bohème

The Wild Man of the West Indies

By Puccini

A story of young love, La Bohème takes place on a snowy Christmas Eve in 19th century Paris. The near-destitute artist Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm, feeding a stove with the pages of Rodolfo’s latest work.

When Rodolfo falls for Mimi, a seamstress who lives nearby, their poverty and ill-health force the two lovers apart.

With some of the most memorable music in opera, from the sublime Che gelida manina to the shattering brass chords that announce Mimi’s death, this new production is both heart-breaking and joyous.

By Donizetti

By Alan Bennett

After discovering his wife Eleonora has been unfaithful, Cardenio journeys to the West Indies where he loses his senses and his mind. First performed in Rome in 1833 where it enjoyed considerable success, the opera vanished from the repertoire until its revival in the late 20th century. This is the first production of this scale to tour anywhere in the world and is a rare treat for lovers of both bel canto and theatre.

Directed by Kate Saxon Designed by Libby Watson

Both operas sung in English and accompanied by The ETO orchestra.

There will be a FREE preperformance talk in the Arts Centre on Friday 15 May from 6.30pm to 7pm. Please call the Box Office to request a ticket.

“Pass it on boys ... that’s the game I wanted you to learn ... pass it on” Called ‘one of the finest plays Alan Bennett has ever written’ by the Daily Telegraph, The History Boys opened at the National Theatre in 2004 to rave reviews and a sell-out run and went on to become one of their biggest ever hits, winning over 30 major awards including

Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May 7.30pm Matinees: Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm Tickets: £16, £19 (Tues to Thurs eves & Wed mat) £20, £23 (Fri & Sat eves & Sat mat) Discounts available (see p54)

the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best New Play. In a recent national survey this comic masterpiece was voted the nation’s favourite play.

Set in the 1980s, The History Boys is the story of a group of bright, funny and unruly sixthformers in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. Their maverick English teacher is at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher, whilst their headmaster is obsessed with results and league tables.

Staffroom rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence overflow, provoking insistent questions about history and how you teach it. Their

A-Levels may be over, but their true education is only just beginning.

This brand new production from the producers of the recent Avenue Q UK Tour and Seussical on the West End is an hilariously funny and exceptionally moving play about the true purpose of education. This national treasure has proved to be the perfect night at the theatre.

Alan Bennett has been a household name for more than 40 years. His numerous plays include Enjoy, The Madness of George III, Single Spies, Talking Heads and The Lady in the Van. www.historyboysuk.com @HistoryBoysTour

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Young Company Membership: Young Company membership gives young people the chance to engage with the Opera House team in all aspects of theatre life whether they want to participate, produce, promote or perform.

Membership is open to any young person aged between 5 and 25 and for a small annual fee of £10 offers many great benefits including

Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May 7.30pm Matinee Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm Tickets: £24, £36, £38 £16, £28, £30 (wed & Thurs mat) £20, £32, £34 (Sat mat) Discounts available (see page 54)

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Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago on the Deadwood Stage to recruit a star, Adelaid Adams.

But things don’t go too smoothly for her and it takes Wild Bill Hickok to make her see sense, and realise her Secret Love…

With an Oscar nominated score that includes The Black Hills of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage (WhipCrack-Away), Just Blew in from the Windy City and the

opportunities to audition for Young Company productions, discounted tickets, meet and greet with cast members from visiting shows and to be part of a unique community of likeminded individuals.

For more information visit buxtonoperahouse.org.uk or contact: csanders@boh.org.uk

award-winning song Secret Love, this brand new production of the classic musical from the highly acclaimed Watermill Theatre stars Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, Spamalot, One Man Two Guvnors) alongside Tom Lister (The Water Babies, Emmerdale) and a cast of multi-talented actor/ musicians.

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The Carpenters Story

Sunday 10 May

Monday 11 May 7.30pm

Tuesday 12 May

Sunday 17 May

Tickets: £22.50, £24.50

Tickets: £13.50

Tickets: £30.50

Tickets: £23

The Illegal Eagles

Sunday 3 May

Friday 8 May

Tickets: £22

Tickets: £22

Simon Yates

Paul Merton’s

Woman in Black

Alan Carr

Monday 18 May

Saturday 23 May

Wednesday 27 May

Sunday 14 June

Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 June

Friday 21 & Saturday 22 August

Tickets: £35

Tickets: £16

Tickets: £14

Tickets: £22

Tickets: £24

Tickets: £31

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Live and Unleased but Naturally Cautious

Impro chums

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Andy Parsons

Belle and Sebastian

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Anniversary Performance

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Jack Jones

Stewart Lee

A Room with a Stew

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En Pointe

Ken Dodd

The Happiness Show

Claire Dobinson School of Dancing presents

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COMING SOON

Yap, Yap, Yap!

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DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS

BOOKING INFOMATION

MATCHAM CARD

GROUP DISCOUNTS

IN PERSON

Matcham Card holders get great benefits including: • Half price tickets to the first nights of some shows • Discounts on most shows • Priority booking for some events • Advance email notification about new shows • Reservations held until one week before a performance, or two weeks for very busy or sold out performances

In addition to our standard groups rate we can sometimes offer a more generous discount for groups of 20+ and larger school groups. Free Teacher places are available with some group bookings.

The Box Office opens Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm (6pm when there is no performance) Sunday 4 to 8pm depending on performance times (Closed if no performance). Hours may vary. Tickets for the Pavilion Arts Centre can be bought at the Arts Centre Box Office one hour before the show or bought in advance from the main Box Office. Cash only for Studio tickets bought on the Studio door.

Premier Membership – £35 Up to 4 discounted tickets per show. Great for families!

Individual Membership – £18 One discounted ticket per show Senior Membership – £13 One discounted ticket per show for those over 60 (proof of eligibility may be required)

BUXTON BREAKS Get discounted tickets for most shows when you stay at any holiday accommodation in the Buxton area. A list of hotels and guest houses is available from Buxton Tourist Information Centre on 01298 25106 or online at www.visitpeakdistrict.com You will be asked for confirmation of your accommodation, such as booking form, hotel compliment slip or key when you collect your tickets.

STANDBY TICKETS Standby Tickets are sometimes available to full time students aged 16+ and people in receipt of JSA/Income Support. These are available one hour before the performance, subject to availability. Proof of eligibility is required.

OTHER DISCOUNTS & SPECIAL OFFERS Discounts are available on many shows throughout the season to the following customers: • • • • • • • •

Groups of 8 or more Senior Citizens Disabled customers Customers in receipt of JSA and Income Support Students in full time education Children under 16 Matcham Card Holders Visitors staying in Buxton under the Buxton Breaks schem

For more information please see the event pages on the website under ‘Dates & Prices’ or contact the Box Office. You may be asked to provide proof or eligibility and only one discount is available per ticket. All offers subject to availability.

We’d like to send you information about special offers and events. To join our mailing list, please send your email address to: admin@boh.org.uk

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BY PHONE

DISABLED CUSTOMERS & COMPANIONS Registered Disabled customers receive discounts to many performances, as indicated on each page.

Essential companions or anyone in receipt of Carers’ Allowance are admitted free (proof of eligibility may be requested).

Companions outside these categories receive a 50% discount (when discounts are available on that performance).

CHILDREN

Except where indicated, all ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees. For certain events we are required to show the booking fee separately as part of the event agreement. We accept most major debit/credit cards and National Theatre Tokens.

You are welcome to collect your tickets from the Box Office, the charge for posting tickets is 80p.

We welcome children to the theatre and include a varied programme of children’s shows and events throughout the year.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Groups should have one adult per 10 children.

Children under 3 and Babies less than 12 months are welcome at family shows where the £2.50 discounted price or ‘Babies Free’ is shown. The Studio Theatre is not suitable for under 3s. For safety reasons, Upper Circle side seats & boxes are not suitable for families with children under 10 years. A family safety leaflet is available from the Box Office.

RELOCATION OF SHOWS

DANCING

Occasionally, we may need to relocate a show from the Opera House to the Arts Centre or from the Arts Centre to the Studio (or vice versa). Numbered tickets may change to general admittance, in which case we are unable to offer refunds.

Dancing is not allowed in the upper levels, so if you want to dance, please book Stall seats. For your safety, no standing is allowed in the Upper Circle sides and boxes.

Call 0845 127 2190 (Local rate from any UK landline) or 01298 72190. Please see Box Office opening times above.

BOOKING FEES AND PAYMENT

SURTITILES Surtitles may not be visable from some seats. Please check when booking.

THEATRE INFORMATION TICKET EXCHANGE

ACCESS

REFRESHMENTS

GETTING HERE

If you are unable to attend a show, please give us 48 hours notice and we can exchange your tickets for another performance of the same show if one is available. We cannot transfer tickets or money to a different event. Tickets will not be refunded unless the performance is cancelled. Postage charges are non-refundable.

The Opera House is an Edwardian building and only partially accessible to wheelchair users. The level access entrance is 72cms at its narrowest point. The building cannot be accessed by motorised scooters. We have three wheelchair spaces in the Stalls at ground floor level and an adapted toilet. We are happy to help you transfer from your wheelchair to the theatre seats. If you will be transferring from a wheelchair to theatre seating, even if you don’t need any help, please let us know when booking. The Stalls Bar is not accessible, but a member of staff will gladly bring refreshments to your seat.

Pre-show and interval drinks are available in the bars which are open 45 minutes before each show, You can beat the queues by ordering interval drinks in advance. We are unable to take debit and credit cards.

Please note both venues are no smoking buildings and e-cigarettes are not permitted.

Buxton Opera House, Water Street, Buxton, SK17 6XN.

RESERVATIONS Reservations cannot be taken for events that are likely to sell out such as high profile music and comedy performances.

Other reservations can be held for seven working days, but for very popular shows you will be asked to pay for your tickets in advance. If you book on the same day as the show, your tickets will be held until 30 minutes before the start of the performance.

CHANGES TO PROGRAMME We publicise any cancellation, unavoidable changes to line-up or timings on our website, please check before travelling. All information is correct at time of going to press.

MARKETING LIST When you book you will be asked to join our marketing list. We would love to keep you up to date with new shows and offers please say yes!

Although the Opera House foyer and Box Office counter are not accessible, there is wheelchair access to the Box Office side door in Water Street, where there is an intercom system. All parts of the Pavilion Arts Centre, except the Main Room balcony, are accessible by wheelchair. For your safety, we advise that you bring a companion if you would have difficulty making your own way out of our buildings in an emergency.

We have passive infra-red (PIR) systems in both venues for customers with hearing impairments. This works through a headset rather than your hearing aid, please reserve a headset through the Box Office when you book your tickets (£10 cash deposit required, limited availablility). There is an induction loop system at both Box Offices. Audio & Braille copies of the brochure are available, call 01298 72050. Assistance dogs are welcome.

LATECOMERS If you miss the start of a show, you will only be admitted where there is a suitable break in the performance and at the discretion of the performers or management.

THEATRE TOURS & COFFEE MORNINGS The Fundraising Friends of Buxton Opera House hold open coffee mornings most Saturdays between 10am and 12 noon. They also offer tours of the theatre on the same days at £2.50 per person. Private group tours can also be arranged at £5 per person, contact 01298 72050 for details.

CUSTOMER SERVICE We value your feedback on our programme of events, customer service and the experience you had at Buxton Opera House. We’d love to hear from you!

Please email: customerservice@boh.org.uk

Box Office 0845 127 2190 buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Pavilion Arts Centre, St John’s Road Buxton SK17 6BE. Buxton is easy to reach via the A6, A515 and A53. The theatre is sign-posted from the town centre. There is free parking after 6pm on the upper level of the Pavilion Gardens car park (don’t use the downstairs car park as it closes early) or in some streets close to the theatre which are not covered by the Residents Parking Scheme.

A train service is available from Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton. For more information on services and connections call 08457 484950.

VOLUNTEER Make new friends, learn new skills and contribute to the life of this wonderful theatre by becoming one of our friendly volunteers.

Volunteers help with selling programmes and refreshments and showing people to their seats. A full induction and on-going training is provided. For more information call Rachel Taylor on: 01298 72050, email: rtaylor@boh.org.uk or write to Buxton Opera House, 5 The Square, Buxton, SK17 6AZ.

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MARCH 56

Circus of Horrors 7.30pm Omid Djalili 8pm

Sunday 1

Sing-a-long-a Frozen 1pm Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music 5pm

MARCH

Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz 1pm Mini Movers 10am Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm

The Johnny Cash Roadshow 7.30pm Rick Wakeman 7.30pm Rumours of Fleetwood Mac 7.30pm That’ll Be The Day 7.30pm Peak Dance Festival 7.30pm Waterloo 7.30pm

StageOPs: Stand-up Comedy Workshop 7pm Special Consensus Bluegrass Band 7.30pm Beyond Everest/ Epic of Everest 7.30pm Andrew Lawrence 7.30pm Mini Movers 10am Call Mr Robeson 7.30pm

Friday 6 Saturday 7 Sunday 8 Monday 9 Tuesday 10 Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Friday 13 Saturday 14 Sunday 15 Monday 16

The Drifters 7.30pm The Billy Fury Story 7.30pm British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra 7.30pm

Tuesday 17 Wednesday 18 Thursday 19 Friday 20 Saturday 21 Sunday 22 Monday 23

Le Vent Du Nord 7.30pm Faust 7.30pm Aled Jones 7.30pm The Bootleg Beatles 7.30pm Paul Carrack 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 Wednesday 25 Thursday 26 Friday 27 Saturday 28 Sunday 29 Monday 30

Wright Marshall Antiques 10.30am to 4pm John Sergeant 7.30pm Sex in Suburbia 7.30pm King of Pop 7.30pm Russell Watson 7.30pm Tom Hart Dyke 7.30pm

Shakespeare’s Macbeth 1.30pm & 7.30pm Count Arthur Strong 7.30pm Back to Broadway 7.30pm The Blues Brothers Experience 7.30pm Jurassic Adventures 2pm & 5pm Let’s Hang On 7.30pm

Mini Movers 10am Richard Alston Dance Company 7.30pm The Ghost Train 7.30pm The Ghost Train 7.30pm

Saturday 7 Sunday 8 Monday 9 Tuesday 10 Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Friday 13 Saturday 14 Sunday 15 Tuesday 17 Wednesday 18 Thursday 19 Friday 20 Saturday 21 Sunday 22 Monday 23

The Ghost Train 2.30pm & 7.30pm AC/DC UK 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 Wednesday 25 Thursday 26 Friday 27 Saturday 28

The Cat in the Hat 5pm The Cat in the Hat 1pm & 3pm Table Manners 7.30pm Table Manners 7.30pm Table Manners 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 1 Monday 2 Tuesday 3 Thursday 5

Madama Butterfly 7.30pm Bouncers 7.30pm Bouncers 7.30pm A Curious Life & Levellers acoustic set 7.30pm

Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm Coffee Concert: Crown Brass Quintet 1pm Buxton Buzz Comedy Club 8pm Money for Nothing 7.30pm Mini Movers 10am Three Keepers 2pm

Snow White on Ice 7pm Snow White on Ice 2pm Snow White on Ice 7pm Snow White on Ice 2pm & 7pm Snow White on Ice 2pm Birdsong 7.30pm Birdsong 2.30pm & 7.30pm Birdsong 7.30pm Birdsong 7.30pm Birdsong 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 31 Three Wise Monkeys 1.30pm Casting the Runes 7.30pm The Gary Taylor Jazz Quintet 1pm Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm

Bla Bla Bla 8pm Gary Delaney 7.30pm Mini Movers 10am My Dog’s Got No Nose 7.30pm

Box Office 0845 127 2190 buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club 8pm

Mini Movers 10am Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm

Wednesday 1 Thursday 2 Friday 3 Saturday 4 Tuesday 7 Wednesday 8 Thursday 9 Friday 10 Saturday 11 Sunday 12 Monday 13 Tuesday 14 Wednesday 15 Thursday 16 Friday 17 Saturday 18 Sunday 19 Monday 20 Tuesday 21 Thursday 23 Friday 24 Saturday 25 Sunday 26

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Mini Movers 10am Mini Movers 10am Coffee Concert: Aomori Quartet 1pm Buxton Buzz Comedy Club 8pm

Saturday 17 Sunday 18 Monday 19 Tuesday 20 Thursday 22 Friday 23 Saturday 24 Sunday 25 Monday 26 Wednesday 28 Friday 30 Saturday 31

Monday 2 Tuesday 3 Thursday 5 Friday 6

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Monday 5 Monday 12 Friday 16

DIARY

APRIL

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

DIARY

Mini Movers 10am The Accordion Shop 7.30pm The Accordion Shop 7.30pm The Accordion Shop 7.30pm The Accordion Shop 7.30pm The Accordion Shop 7.30pm Mini Movers 10am StageOPs: Full With Horrors 7pm Coffee Concert: Daphnis Duo 1pm

Secret Love 7.30pm Jeremy Hardy 7.30pm The Wind in the Willows 2pm Mini Movers 10am Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31) Mini Movers 10am Mugs’ Arrows 7.30pm Mugs’ Arrows 7.30pm

Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm

Buxton Soul Night 8pm

Film Festival (see page 31)

Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31) Film Festival (see page 31)

Steve Howe 7.30pm Islands in the Stream 7.30pm Essence of Ireland 7.30pm Darwin: The Origin of Species 7.30pm The Basil Brush Show 11am & 2.30pm Tree Fu Tom 2pm The Hollies 7.30pm A Night of Queen 7.30pm Just So with Robert Powell 7.30pm

Stone Cold Murder 7.30pm Stone Cold Murder 7.30pm Stone Cold Murder 7.30pm Stone Cold Murder 2.30pm & 7.30pm Nights on Broadway 7.30pm

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club 8pm Guns N’ Roses Experience 7.30pm

Amsterdam 7.30pm Unfurl 1pm Mini Movers 10am 4 Parts Guitar 7.30pm

Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm

Coffee Concert: Amici Trio 1pm

Mini Movers 10am Phoenix Dance Theatre 7.30pm Jamie Allan iMagician 7.30pm Simon and Garfunkel Story 7.30pm Dara O’Briain 7.30pm The Searchers 7.30pm

Ash Dykes 7.30pm Bella Hardy 7.30pm

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APRIL

Monday 27 Tuesday 28 Wednesday 29 Thursday 30

MAY

Friday 1 Saturday 2 Sunday 3 Monday 4 Friday 8 Saturday 9 Sunday 10 Monday 11 Tuesday 12 Thursday 14 Friday 15 Saturday 16 Sunday 17 Monday 18 Tuesday 19 Wednesday 20 Thursday 21 Friday 22 Saturday 23 Monday 25 Tuesday 26 Wednesday 27 Thursday 28 Friday 29 Saturday 30

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS Our current business, funding partners and other supporters include:

Mini Movers 10am The End of the Affair 7.30pm The End of the Affair 2.30pm & 7.30pm Dare Dream Dance 7.30pm

Faulty Towers 7.30pm Faulty Towers 1pm & 7.30pm Faulty Towers 1pm Mini Movers 10am

FRIGG 7.30pm Osterband & June Tabor 7.30pm Ken Dodd Happiness Show 7.30pm Stewart Lee 8pm Altan 7.30pm The Illegal Eagles 7.30pm Claire Dobinson School of Dancing 7.30pm Jack Jones 7.30pm La Bohéme 7.30pm The Wildman of the West Indies 7.30pm La Bohéme 7.30pm The Carpenters Story 7.30pm Belle and Sebastian 7.30pm History Boys 7.30pm History Boys 2.30pm & 7.30pm History Boys 7.30pm History Boys 7.30pm History Boys 2.30pm & 7.30pm Calamity Jane 7.30pm Calamity Jane 2.30pm & 7.30pm Calamity Jane 2.30pm & 7.30pm Calamity Jane 7.30pm Calamity Jane 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm Faulty Towers 7.30pm Faulty Towers 7.30pm

FUNDERS

Big Session in Buxton (see page 45) Big Session in Buxton (see page 45)

BUSINESSES AND PARTNERS

Celtic Fiddle Festival 7.30pm Mini Movers 10am Kaleidoscope Choir 1pm

Mini Movers 10am

Merrymouth 7.30pm Andy Parsons 7.30pm Mini Movers 10am Simon Yates 7.30pm We Banjo 3 7.30pm

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE IS A MEMBER OF THE

GIANT CASH BONANZA LOTTERY The Giant Cash Bonanza Lottery is a lottery run on the theatre’s behalf by the Giant Cash Bonanza Society, and all proceeds from the subscriptions paid by Buxton Opera House members go solely and directly towards the upkeep, improvement and running of the theatre.

THERE IS ONE ANNUAL JACKPOT PRIZE OF £10,000 PLUS… WEEKLY CASH PRIZES WITH A JACKPOT OF £1,000 2 MONTHLY PRIZES OF A ONE YEAR MATCHAM DISCOUNT CARD 2 MONTHLY PRIZES OF A FAMILY PANTOMIME TICKET FOR 4 WITH A CHANCE TO MEET THE STARS AFTERWARDS MONTHLY DRAW TO WIN ONE OF EIGHT PAIRS OF TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE AT THE OPERA HOUSE (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY)

ALL FOR JUST £2 PER WEEK If you would like to be part of Giant Cash Bonanza Lottery and support the future of the Opera House, call 01484 484120.

If you’re already a member, then…Thank You & Good Luck!

Fundraising Friends of Buxton Opera House and The Willoughby Luncheon Club

The Giant Cash Bonanza Society is registered with the Gambling Commission, reg 28662. Promoter: Giant Cash Bonanza Society. Person of Trust: Mr R Thewlis.

Minimum age of participation: 16 years old.

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For more information call our friendly Box Office team on 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 or visit buxtonoperahouse.org.uk You can also find us on: