Buxton Opera House what's on, Aug 12 to Feb 13

AUG 2012 to FEB 2013

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE & PAVILION ARTS CENTRE

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 OR 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

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Welcome… …to our August 2012 to February 2013 What’s On brochure, taking us from the end of a memorable Summer festival season, through Autumn & Christmas, and right into the start of next year’s Spring programme.

We are delighted to welcome two spectacular highlights to the Opera House as part of our Autumn season: a new-look Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring TV’s Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack in October, and the global sell-out sensation Calendar Girls with an all-star cast in November. Tickets for both of these are sure to be in high demand, so do book early.

Other drama highlights include two exciting musical plays: Bugle Boy, the life story of Glenn Miller (with a 16-piece band live on stage), and our own co-production with the University of Derby Theatre Arts Department of Blonde, the life story of Marilyn Monroe, in September. Other plays in a busy season include Hull Truck’s Jekyll & Hyde, The John Godber Company’s Lost & Found and Mappa Mundi’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, among many others. The season is rounded off with our first-ever Christmas pantomime production of Peter Pan, co-produced once again with Channel Theatre, and starring Louis Emerick and Glen Davies. Take a look at pages 66 & 67 for this memorable Opera House first.

companies – The Canterbury Tales and The Odyssey in November and The Keeper of The Tales in December.

Add to this our usual superb list of famous names dropping into the Opera House & Arts Centre this Autumn & Winter, including: Barbara Dickson, Barry Cryer, Elkie Brooks, Sandi Toksvig, Spiers & Boden, Clare Teal, Kathryn Tickell, Ian Stone & Bob Mills, Marcus Brigstocke, The Hairy Bikers, Show of Hands, Seth Lakeman, Rhod Gilbert, Jack Dee, Chris Bonington, Michael Morpurgo, Foster & Allen, Julian Clary, Joan Armatrading, Marty Wilde, Al Murray, Alan Davies, Gervase Phinn, Paul Carrack, Jimmy Carr, Milton Jones, Maria Friedman, John Shuttleworth, Jeremy Hardy, Craig Ogden, Hazel O’Connor and Adam Hills – and I am certain there is, as always, something for everyone.

Finally do take a look at pages 4 & 5 for a summary of the latest opportunities to get involved in our Learning & Participation programme, Kaleidoscope.

We look forward to welcoming you many times to both the Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre over the next six months.

Andrew Aughton, Chief Executive Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre

In addition, we have plenty of opera (especially English Touring Opera’s now annual Autumn visit) and ballet (particularly UK Ballet Theatre’s return with A Christmas Carol at the end of November), and two festivals which are completely new to Buxton: The Buxton Adventure Festival and the Buxton Festival of World Cinema – both in the Pavilion Arts Centre, in October and November respectively.

And don’t forget the rest of our exciting Arts Centre programme, our Studio Season, (see pages 43 to 46) and three more productions from our young people’s theatre

COMING SOON TO BUXTON OPERA HOUSE The Olivier Award-winning comedy The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, written and directed by Jim Cartwright, is a sparkling story of music, divas and romance. In this heart-warming tale, shy Little Voice spends most of her time hidden away with her late father’s record collection, perfecting her astonishing impersonations. Her extraordinary talent remains a secret until she is overheard by local talent scout Ray Say. Determined to hit the big time, Ray sets about creating the show of the century with Little Voice as his star. When the big night arrives, Ray is convinced that this is his last chance for fame and fortune. But has anyone asked Little Voice what she wants…..?

Monday 25 to Saturday 30 March 2013

ON SALE NOW BOX OFFICE: 0845 127 2190 OR 01298 72190 WWW.BUXTONOPERAHOUSE.ORG.UK 2

Buxton Opera House is operated by High Peak Theatre Trust, a registered charity run on an entirely not-for-profit basis. (Pavilion Arts Centre Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust). In order to present the artistic programme and staff the theatre, we rely on our major funders (see right), substantial volunteer help (over 180 local people), our earned share of Box Office income, ancillary income such as bar sales and over £150,000 annual fundraising (from our regular donors, lottery members, etc). Thank you if you help or support us in any way.

High Peak Borough Council has been a funder of the Opera House since 1979. The Council makes an annual grant towards our artistic and operating costs, and also gives financial assistance to the Buxton Festival and International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. The Council is also the owner of the Opera House & the Pavilion Arts Centre, and maintains the fabric of both buildings. The restoration & refurbishments of 1979, 2001 & 2007 were all partnership projects between Council and Trust, with significant funding from both.

Arts Council England has been a funder of the Opera House since 2003, making an annual grant towards our artistic costs, specifically the drama programme. ACE has also previously given financial support to our Live Music Festival, A to Z Festival, Education Officer post & Fringe Seasons, and also made capital grants to the 2001 refurbishment and the Pavilion Arts Centre project.

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kaleidoscope the learning & participation programme at

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE &PAVILION ARTS CENTRE

Beanbag Stories

Arts Club

Creative play activities & storytelling for pre-schoolers.

Featuring well-known stories & themes to ignite your child’s imagination through drama, dance & art. £2.50 per session (adults & babies under 12 months go free) in the Pavilion Arts Centre, Tuesdays from 11.15am to 12 noon.

For artful adults in search of new territories. This Autumn why not join our 6-week expressive art course (fortnightly from 4 Sept to 20 Nov)? A different medium or technique each week to develop your artistic skills & make the most from the expressive arts.

11 Sept - The Rainbow Fish 16 Oct - Autumn Leaves 13 Nov - Colours and Shapes 11 Dec - Sunset Snowman

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Or why not try our one-off taster session Photography for Beginners on 4 Dec? Are you keen to take more inspirational, dynamic photos and turn your snapping into a creative outlet?

No matter where your skills lie, there’s always something new to learn, so why not expand your knowledge in what promises to be a workshop with a lifetime of enjoyment!

Young People’s Theatre Companies There are now 7 fantastic Kaleidoscope Young People’s Theatre Companies rehearsing every week – and so far they’ve produced 8 amazing shows in the Arts Centre. Sessions take place in the Pavilion Arts Centre as follows: Mini Theatre (ages 5 to 7): Sun 9.30am Junior Theatre (8 to 10): Sat 9.30am or Sun 11am Intermediate Theatre (11 to 13): Sat 11.30am or Mon 4.30pm Youth Theatre (14 to 18): Mon 7pm or Tues 7pm There are spaces in most of these groups for September 2012, so join now! Weekly fees are £5 Mini, £6 Junior, £8 Intermediate & Youth. To enquire about joining any of the companies, contact Jo Eltringham at participation2@boh.org.uk.

Young Singers

OctoberFest

Kaleidoscope Young Singers make modern pop music that’s fun, fresh and challenging! They have already presented one great Arts Centre concert and are busy preparing their second.

Led by Janet Galloway, Young Singers is a great opportunity for budding singers to stretch their vocal muscles and have the chance to be a star. Sessions are on Tuesdays at 4.45pm to 6.45pm in the Arts Centre.

Again, we have places for September 2012. Contact Sian Dudley at participation@boh.org.uk.

Our annual Autumn half-term mini-festival for children takes place this year from 27 October to 4 November, with a programme of performances and workshops in both the Opera House & Arts Centre.

The week will be chock-a-block with stories, messy play and loads of brilliant drama workshops – and…we will be hosting another spooky Opera House sleepover too, so be prepared to swap ghost stories and watch out for the Opera House ghouls! This year performances for all the family include Rapunzel, The Selfish Crocodile, Jason & The Argonauts, Landscapes and War Horse – all featured in this brochure and on sale now! Look out for the special OctoberFest brochure, available in September.

We also do: Jump Dance Week Kaleidoscope at Easter Work Experience Schools Workshops Puppet Festival Workshops Young Drama Panel.

To find out more or get involved, call our Learning & Participation Officers, Sian Dudley & Jo Eltringham on 01298 72050 or email them at participation@boh.org.uk.

Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre is an

venue

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SUMMER 2012 OUTDOOR THEATRE IN THE PAVILION GARDENS Opera House Sunday 19 August 7.30pm

Opera House Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 August 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm

BARBARA DICKSON

Present Company presents Noel Gay’s

Multi-million-selling recording artist and Olivier Award-winning actress Barbara Dickson has firmly established herself as one of the most enduring and popular artistes in Britain today.

In the Pavilion Gardens Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 August 6pm Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents an openair production of

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Another new flavour for our annual outdoor offering, as Chapterhouse present Oscar Wilde’s finest and best-loved romantic comedy, in the idyllic setting of the Pavilion Gardens.

The cast of unforgettably larger-than-life characters – the delightful Cecily, the roguish Algernon and the formidable Lady Bracknell to name but three! – are sure to keep you ‘wildly’ entertained! This exquisite new production of Wilde’s hilarious tale of double lives and mistaken identities is presented in full period costume.

ME AND MY GIRL

Barbara began her career on the Scottish and English folk circuit, working with the likes of Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty, Rab Noakes and Archie Fisher. However, after Willy Russell cast her in his 1974 Beatles musical John, Paul, George, Ringo… and Bert, she was signed to RSO Records, and hits including Answer Me, January February, Caravans, Another Suitcase In Another Hall and I Know Him So Well soon cemented her status as one of the UK’s most popular female vocalists. In 1983 Barbara starred in Blood Brothers, which established her as a highly respected actress. Now in her 44th year in the business, she recently performed at the Celtic Connections festival in memory of Gerry Rafferty, and also released her new album, Words Unspoken, which explores the music of the British Isles and, like tonight’s concert, includes favourites from her ‘shirt box of songs.’ Barbara visits Buxton with her band – Nick Holland, Brad Lang & Russell Field – plus support, Jessica Lawson.

Cockney charmer Bill Snibson, a cheeky Lambeth costermonger, is amazed to discover he is the heir to an earldom – but the aristocratic relatives are horrified! Bill finds himself sorely tempted by a life of luxury at Hareford Hall and as he and his fishmonger girlfriend Sally run the gauntlet of his newfound family’s disapproval, it’s laughter all the way. Every attempt to groom him for nobility results in a riot of comedy, but in the end Bill must decide whether he wants the life of a lord or to live happily ever after with Sally.

Tickets: £21, £23 No discounts

Present Company uses professional principals & orchestra with a non-professional chorus.

Me And My Girl was a smash hit in London in 1937 and an even bigger one when it was revised in 1984

by Stephen Fry for a production that ran, in London and New York, for over 8 years. Dubbed by the press as ‘the happiest show in town’, Me And My Girl is filled with witty one-liners, a host of colourful characters and toe-tapping popular numbers such as The Lambeth Walk, Leaning On A Lamp Post, The Sun Has Got His Hat On and of course, Me And My Girl.

Tickets: £13.50, £15.50, £17.50 (eves), £12, £14, £16 (mat) Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): ½ price Wed, £2 off all other perfs.

Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Bring your own seat (low-backed, please!) or rug.

Tickets: Adults £13, Children £9 Family Tickets: £38 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £30 (3 people incl 2 children) or £27 (3 people incl 2 adults).

Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83) (Please note: if the weather is inclement, the show will either proceed – conditions allowing – outdoors, or will be moved to an alternative indoor venue, if one can be arranged. In either case, no refunds will be given.)

Presented in partnership with The Pavilion Gardens and with the support of High Peak Borough Council.

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 6

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 7

Opera House Monday 27 August 2pm

LIVE Channel 5 and Premier Stage Productions are proud to announce a brand new Milkshake Live tour! Starring Milkshake presenter Amy Thompson and some of the Milkshake Channel’s favourite characters, this new show is certain to have children singing, shouting, laughing and smiling along!

As well as Amy, we’ll introduce a new Milkshake presenter and the show will star Little Princess and Scruff, Noddy and Tessie Bear, Roary and Big Chris, Fifi and Bumble and B1 & B2 – the Bananas in Pyjamas!

Tickets: Adults £12.50, Children £10.50 Family Tickets: £42 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £31.50 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Children 2 or under: £2.50 (on parent’s knee).

Babies under 12 months: Free (on parent’s knee)

Opera House Monday 27 August 7.30pm

Opera House Sunday 26 August 7.30pm

BARRY CRYER

ROCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

- BUTTERFLY BRAIN

Rockin’ On Heaven’s Door sends shivers down the spine with its spookily convincing portrayals of four unforgettable musical giants: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. Now in its 15th fantastic year and always a hit in Buxton, the show has received acclaim throughout the UK and Europe. Backed by a superb five-piece band, the legendary quartet delivers the feel-good factor from start to finish in a show packed with memorable 50s and 60s hits!

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

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Opera House Wednesday 29 August 7.30pm

Join old Baz for a stream of unconsciousness and sitdown comedy! Let him take you on an alphabetical, hypothetical journey from A to Z and answer all your (and his!) questions. For instance: have you ever noticed that all the letters in the alphabet are in the right order!?

A huge hit on his last Opera House visit in 2011, Barry returns with a brand new show which embarks on an odyssey of oddities from Aardvark to Zulu. For the first time, he can claim to be a man of letters, even including X. Next to Baz you will spot Colin Sell at the P & O! Tickets: £14, £16 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW The Johnny Cash Roadshow is back in Buxton after its hugely popular 2010 appearance, once again delivering the numberone Johnny Cash experience, featuring Clive John as ‘The Man in Black’, with his world class outfit, The Spirit Band, and Jill Schoonjans, the best ‘June Carter’ in the business, delivering all the great man’s hits, including Ring of Fire, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, Man In Black, Walk The Line, Jackson, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Hurt and many more from throughout Johnny Cash’s long career. Using a video back-drop with evocative images and shots from Johnny Cash’s life, the show takes the audience from the 1950s right up to 2002 and all the stops in between. A treat for Cash fans!

‘A brilliant, authentic performance as The Man in Black…the audience demanded more!’ – Artrix Theatre Tickets: £15.50, £17.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 9

Opera House Sunday 2 September 7.30pm

ELKIE BROOKS Elkie Brooks is, quite simply, one of the most successful and popular singers the UK has ever produced.

Now in the 5th decade of her career, she is still proving to be one of the most powerful and versatile vocal talents of her generation.

With numerous hit singles and million-selling albums to her name, her annual tours are a treat for fans old and new, and remain hugely popular dates on the musical calendar. Performing some of her classic hits, plus blues, jazz and songs from her new album Powerless, Elkie still guarantees an electric evening and is sure to leave you begging for more. Always a huge hit at the Opera House, she is a stunning performer who does it best live. Don’t miss her.

Opera House Thursday 30 August to Saturday 1 September 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm

Featuring all of Miller’s famous and instantly recognisable tunes – played by a 16-piece live band – including Little Brown Jug, String Of Pearls, Moonlight Serenade, 10

Quantum Theatre presents

THE TALES OF PETER RABBIT & BENJAMIN BUNNY

David Wilder Productions present

Bugle Boy traces the life of legendary music icon Glenn Miller…from his musical training to playing in bands for the first time; from forming his own band to his 20-year search for that unique sound; from the 3 short years of fame to joining the Army in WW2 and flying to Europe with his AAF Band; from musical superstardom and his 20-year partnership with sweetheart and wife Helen to his tragic loss, in action over the English Channel, in 1944.

Opera House Monday 3 September 2.30pm

Peter Rabbit knows very well that he is not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but he can’t resist – and it’s only after a very close shave (and minus all his clothes) that he finally escapes home to a severe telling-off from his mother. However Peter doesn’t learn his lesson. With his cousin Benjamin, he returns to the garden to recover his lost clothing, and it’s left to Benjamin’s father to rescue them...

With live music and all your favourite characters from both of the Peter Rabbit tales, Quantum’s delightful new adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s stories promises an enchanting afternoon for young and old alike.

For children aged 4 to 11 & families Tickets: Adults £10, Children £8 Family Tickets: £32 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £24 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Children 2 or under: £2.50 (on parent’s knee)

‘Still one of the great British voices’ – The Guardian Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo and Kalamazoo, this fantastic new musical is certain to put Buxton audiences well and truly…In The Mood!

Tickets: £12, £14, £16 Discounts: Senior Citizens: £10 (matinee only), £1.50 off all other perfs (not Dress Circle).

Groups of 8 or more/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

Tickets: £21.50, £23.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 11

Opera House Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 September 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm Ian Dickens Productions presents

Opera House Wednesday 5 September 7.30pm

Pack of Opera’ – bring their unique blend of wit, charm and vocal brilliance to the classical crossover genre and to the Opera House stage. Scott, Paul and Jem have performed alongside such notables as Sting, Hayley Westenra, Lionel Ritchie, Simply Red, The Opera Babes and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and now, backed by their own live band, are ready to perform just for you, right here in Buxton!

TENORS UNLIMITED - THE RAT PACK OF OPERA Come and enjoy some of the world's favourite tenor classics, including Nessun Dorma, O Sole Mio, Time to Say Goodbye, The Pearl Fishers Duet, You Raise Me Up, Volare, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, songs from The Tenors’ new album and many, many more.

Using talents honed during their solo careers in the opera, theatre and recording worlds, Tenors UnLimited – ‘The Rat

Tickets: £18, £20 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Sunday 9 September 7.30pm This extraordinary band, regarded by many as the UK's number one Pink Floyd tribute, are renowned for their stunning interpretation of the music of one of the world's great iconic bands. Think Floyd have been successfully touring theatres and venues in the UK and abroad for over 15 years and fans travel from far and wide to see them play again and again.

The band's brand new show for 2012 celebrates the 40th anniversary of Floyd’s ground-breaking 1972 movie Live at Pompeii. The show will feature a selection of tracks from this iconic film, as well as the whole range of classic Pink Floyd, from Syd Barrett, through Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall, to The Division Bell. All the atmosphere, visual magnitude and musical excellence of Pink Floyd are faithfully recreated live on stage by Think Floyd – the definitive Floyd experience!

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With a star cast led by

MELVYN HAYES (Bombardier ‘Gloria’ Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum) Every parent knows what 'that difficult stage' is like – when the kids are staying out until all hours, playing their music too loud and spending most of the day in bed. Sue and Richard have all these problems, but not with their children – with Sue's Dad! Brooksie, a recent widower, and 'the gang' – three of his old mates – are recapturing their youth and loving every minute. Seeking approval from his late wife throughout, Brooksie forges himself a new life whilst nearly getting barred from the Over 60s Club, along with countless other scrapes, along the way! After all, you're only young twice!

Tickets: £16, £18 No discounts

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

A hilarious and touching play by Ron Aldridge, proving that you're only as young as you feel.

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Tickets: £12, £14, £16 (Thurs eve & Sat mat), £13, £15, £17 (Fri & Sat eves).

Discounts: Senior Citizens: £10 (matinee only), £1.50 off all other performances (not Dress Circle).

Groups of 8 or more/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): ½ price Thurs, £2 off all other perfs.

Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

Cast may be subject to change.

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Pavilion Arts Centre Sunday 16 September 2pm Big Wooden Horse presents

STUCK

Opera House Friday 14 & Saturday 15 September 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm

Another superb co-production from the Opera House/ University partnership (which began way back in 2005 with Lady Chatterley’s Lover). This time, we present a brand new musical, written in 2011 by musician and composer Adam Howell and writer Paul Hurt (who also adapted that 2005 version of Lady Chatterley...).

Buxton Opera House & The University of Derby Theatre Arts Department present

Oliver Jeffers, award-winning author of How to Catch a Star, Lost and Found and The Way Back Home returns with a tale about a little boy in a very sticky situation. It all begins when Floyd gets his kite stuck in a tree. He throws up his shoe to shift it, but that gets stuck, so he throws up his other shoe and that gets stuck too – along with the cat, a ladder, a pot of paint, the kitchen sink, an orang-utan and a whale, amongst other things! Will Floyd ever get his kite back?

With original music and plenty of audience participation, this brand new story has been adapted into an enchanting new production for families and young children by the team behind the shows Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, The Night Before Christmas and last year’s Buxton hit The Way Back Home.

For children aged 3 & over & families Tickets: Adults £8, Children £6 Family Tickets: £24 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £18 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Children 2 or under: £2.50 (on parent’s knee)

Opera House Tuesday 11 September 7.30pm

SANDI TOKSVIG - MY VALENTINE Sandi Toksvig – comedian, novelist, actor, broadcaster, show-off and international treasure – is embarking on her latest UK tour, to celebrate publication of her new novel Valentine Grey, and once again drops by the Opera House!

- THE LIFE & TIMES OF MARILYN MONROE

BY ADAM HOWELL (MUSIC & LYRICS) & PAUL HURT (BOOK & LYRICS)

Long-standing host of Radio Four’s News Quiz and Excess Baggage and regular QI panellist on BBC TV, Sandi will be touring a brand new, uniquely witty evening of stand-up, stories and fascinating facts. Her 2009 and 2011 Buxton shows were both complete sellouts, so be sure to book early!

The show recounts the life and times of Marilyn Monroe, the 20th century’s ultimate movie legend and showbusiness enigma. With cameo appearances from Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller and a host of other influential characters and famous faces from the 50s and 60s, we tell the tragic and scandalous story of Hollywood’s original blonde bombshell. Adored by her public; used, abused and loved by many in her private life, Marilyn’s is the archetypal showbiz tale of life both behind and in front of the lens. With a superb, brand new musical score composed specially for the show and performed with a live band, this latest coproduction promises to be something very special indeed!

Don’t miss it.

Tickets: £9, £11, £13 Discounts: Senior Citizens: £8 (matinee only), £1 off all other perfs (not Dress Circle).

Groups of 8 or more/Disabled: £1 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/ Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Sandi will be signing copies of Valentine Grey after the show.

Tickets: £16.50, £18.50 No discounts 14

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 15

Opera House Sunday 16 September 7.30pm

Pavilion Arts Centre Saturday 22 September 7.30pm

FODENS BAND

DANNY BHOY

Edwin Foden formed the first Fodens Motor Works Band in the village of Elworth near Sandbach in the first decade of the last century, and since then they have enjoyed a string of illustrious successes, including being 32 times a prize-winner at the British Open (9 times champions) as well as 37 prizes at the National Championships of Great Britain. Throughout the 110+ years of their history they have entertained millions and retained their position as one of the world’s leading brass bands. They are in huge demand for concerts in the UK and have recently also toured Italy, Switzerland, America, Ireland, France, Norway and Israel.

- DEAR EPSON

Enjoy a programme of traditional brass band music, including pop and classical favourites, alongside classic brass numbers, from these masters of the genre.

Tickets: £12, £14 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

A few years back, Danny launched a campaign (wrote some letters) which successfully saw the return of Roast Beef Monster Munch to our supermarket shelves.

You’re welcome.

Opera House Tuesday 18 September 7.30pm

THE PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA - LICENSED TO SWING Swing has an infectious beat all of its own – almost a lust for life, some might say – and for over 40 years The Pasadena Roof Orchestra has been the epitomy of swing, delighting audiences all over the world with its mix of irresistible rhythm and hot dance music.

It’s over 40 years since founder John Arthy found over 1000 original dance-band arrangements in an attic and formed the PRO. 40 albums, 300 recorded numbers and countless concerts down the line, the Orchestra is introducing new generations to the foot-tapping music of the 1920s and 30s. An evening with the PRO is a wonderful cocktail of musical ingredients, so sit back and take a sip of the Orchestra’s new programme, Licensed To Swing. When it comes to swing, they really do have no equal!

Tickets: £15, £17 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Wednesday 19 September 7.30pm

SPIERS & BODEN Described by The Guardian as ‘the finest instrumental duo currently working on the traditional scene’ and twice winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo, Spiers and Boden have made the genre of spontaneous, punky English folk very much their own stomping ground. Jon Boden was named Folk Singer of the Year at the 2010 BBC Folk Awards, and the pair were named Best Duo back in 2004. They are both founding members of folk behemoths Bellowhead and their albums Through & Through, Bellow, Tunes, Songs, Vagabond and The Works are among the finest of the last decade.

‘Like a stand-up equivalent of Bill Bryson – charming & effortlessly funny’ – The Age May contain strong language.

Tickets: £13, £15 No discounts

‘Technically they stand head to head with the best of their generation...Jon Boden plays fiddle with an earthy vigour that's utterly compelling and sings in a frantic breathless manner as if the hounds of hell are taking lumps out of his backside, while John Spiers harmonises and plays urgent driving melodeon to a very high standard indeed...halfway to reinventing the style without even realising it’ – fRoots Magazine Tickets: £13, £15 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 16

This is a loosely-based stand-up/breakdown show which revolves around a handful of similar letters he has penned out of frustration, with mixed results. It’s a show about those little annoyances…too frivolous to be a cause, too inconsequential to be a campaign.

But just about right for that couple from BerwickUpon-Tweed who come to the Edinburgh Fringe every year.

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 17

Opera House Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 September 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm

Opera House Sunday 23 September 7.30pm

CLARE TEAL

Hull Truck Theatre Company presents

DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE

The UK's finest jazz singer, broadcaster and much-loved performer Clare Teal makes a welcome return visit to Buxton. Fresh from a busy schedule of touring, including a stand-out appearance with the John Wilson Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the televised ‘Hooray For Hollywood’ Prom, Clare continues to delight audiences with her warm wit and effortless voice. Ably assisted by her ridiculously talented band, led by pianist and musical director Grant Windsor, their choice of material is sublime and will undoubtedly leave you Feeling Good. Covering a span of over 120 years this show combines sparkling original material with Clare's love of both the Great American and Great British Songbooks. Where else could Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars and Annie Lennox’s Why? sit happily alongside standards such as Secret Love and Get Happy? Get your tickets now - the Purveyors of Sunshine are back in town!

Henry Jekyll is a good man. Successful in his field, respected by his peers, loved by his friends, he wants for nothing. Almost.

Dr Jekyll has a secret. A secret he is finding it increasingly hard to contain…his outward appearance and calm demeanour masking the fires of greed, lust, anger and rage within him. During an experiment into the splitting of personalities, using as a guinea-pig the only person Dr Jekyll knows he can trust – himself – something goes very wrong. Once Dr Jekyll transforms into the amoral and violent Edward Hyde, he is free to pursue his dark, unsatisfied desires…but at what cost?

Tickets: £16, £18 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

This chilling new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale by Nick Lane combines traditional storytelling and physical theatre which is both nightmarish and dreamlike.

Suitable for audiences aged 11 & over Tickets: £12, £14, £16 (Thurs eve & Sat mat), £13, £15, £17 (Fri & Sat eves).

Discounts: Senior Citizens: £10 (mat only), £1.50 off all other perfs (not Dress Circle).

Groups of 8 or more/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 18

Pavilion Arts Centre Sunday 23 September 7.30pm

CRAIG OGDEN WITH SPECIAL GUEST TOM DOUGHTY Australian born guitarist Craig Ogden is one of the most exciting musical performers in the world today. He studied guitar from the age of seven and is the youngest instrumentalist to have received a Fellowship Award from the RNCM in Manchester. His Classic FM albums The Guitarist and Summertime both shot straight to No.1 in the UK classical chart in 2010 and 2011 respectively. He has performed concertos with all of the main UK orchestras plus many abroad and has presented on BBC Radio 3 and ABC Classic FM (Australia). He is Principal Lecturer in Guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and Visiting Lecturer at London’s Royal College of Music.

Joining Craig is Tom Doughty, who, over 30 years of honing his art, has developed a unique sound and technique that makes his music instantly recognizable, and affords him a reputation as a master of the lap slide guitar, with three internationally acclaimed CDs to his name.

This incredible pair of guitar virtuosos promise an evening of classical, blues, folk, standards and much more. A rare treat indeed!

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Tickets: £13, £15 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 19

Opera House Monday 24 September 7.30pm

Opera House Thursday 27 September 7.30pm

Theatrical Niche presents

DECADANCE

PROOF

Brooklyn-based, all female, hip-hop dance sensation Decadance have redefined the image of women in hiphop and have become key ambassadors of authentic, New York City hip-hop culture around the world – and now they bring an outstanding triple bill: When the Sky Breaks 3D, City Breathing and a new work (to be confirmed) to Buxton.

By David Auburn After walking the tight-rope between insanity and genius, mathematical virtuoso Robert passes away, leaving his daughter Catherine to battle the same mental health demons – but will that be the only fatherly asset she inherits...?

Opera House Wednesday 26 September 7.30pm

This heart-breaking, paradigm-shifting work by American playwright David Auburn explores the fascinating themes of mental health, gender bias and an incorruptible bond between father and daughter.

MARY STUART

SCHOOLS WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE: Contact participation@boh.org.uk or 01298 72050

Continuing their mission to present European classics to a contemporary audience, Faction visit the Opera House for the first time with this new adaptation of Schiller’s Mary Stuart following the blistering success of their tour of the same playwright’s The Robbers last year.

‘The pioneering all female hip-hop group…a fearless coalition of b-girls’ – The New Yorker

A suspected terrorist has been arrested, hastily tried with a law invented specifically for her and condemned to death by a jury. But not of her peers; that would be impossible. Her only peer is Queen Elizabeth I, and now Elizabeth is presented with a terrifying dilemma: to reign in fear for the rest of her life or have Mary Stuart executed...

Tickets: £12 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Suitable for audiences aged 12 & over Tickets: £12.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

The Faction Theatre Company presents

By Friedrich Schiller

Opera House Tuesday 25 September 7.30pm

THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN From the North Pole to Sydney Opera House, via Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, The Ukes of GB are touring planet Earth with their hilarious, toetapping, all-singing, all-plucking obituary of rock ‘n’ roll and melodious light entertainment. You'll hear music you love and music you 'simply didn't get' transformed into a joyous, headlong stream of musical delight.

Always a sell-out in Buxton, The Ukes are anarchic, funny, virtuosic, thought-provoking and mindboggling. They have sixteen-handedly changed the face of the ukulele world. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll never think about music in the same way again.

Be there!

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50 No discounts

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This evening of knockout performance fuses old-school hip-hop styles with cutting edge 3D video technology, taking the dancers into an abstract world where b-boying (breakdance), popping and house dance come alive against the backdrop of a city morphing from solid to liquid. The Decadance crew interacts with the 3D universe as the pure joy and spirit of dance transforms the buildings into rain and the streets into oceans.

Embracing the fluid side of hip-hop, the dancers float, slide, spin, wave and balance as the projections and choreography seamlessly merge together.

Hal appears, to investigate Robert's last great work, but finding that things are not as straightforward as they seem, turns Catherine’s closed-off world upside down. As the family reunite for Robert’s funeral, they unwittingly embark on a discomforting journey of discovery and nostalgia – and into the inscrutable equations of the mind and heart.

‘Never less than gripping’ – Evening Standard

Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Suitable for audiences aged 10 & over

‘Plenty of depth & nuance, skilfully unpacked by the wonderful Faction Theatre’ – Time Out Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Suitable for audiences aged 11 & over Tickets: £13.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 21

Opera House Friday 28 September 7.30pm

Opera House Saturday 29 September 8pm

LEVELLERS ACOUSTIC

KATHRYN TICKELL - NORTHUMBRIAN VOICES Kathryn Tickell is the world’s foremost exponent of the Northumbrian pipes, whose work is deeply rooted in the landscape and people of Northumbria. This new show, directed by Kathryn with Annie Rigby (of Unfolding Theatre) is based on interviews and recordings Kathryn has made over the years with family members and the shepherd musicians from whom she learnt, including mouth organ player Will Atkinson and fiddler Willie Taylor. Three generations of musicians are on stage, including Kathryn’s father, promising a powerful reflection of rural communities, their music and collective stories.

Folk-rock band Levellers, who released their tenth studio album, Static On The Airwaves, this summer, come to Buxton as part of a rare and intimate 6-date seated acoustic tour of theatres and cathedrals.

Already being heralded as their most accomplished album to date, Static On The Airwaves is the sound of a band whose incisive lyrics, innate musicality and passion have continued to improve rather than diminish in nearly a quarter of a century of writing, recording and performing.

Levellers have long been, and still are, one of the best live bands around. Often overlooked is their outstanding back catalogue of recorded music. They sold more platinum, gold and silver albums in the 1990s than any other act. Levellers Acoustic will feature two sets of live favourites and hits from their previous studio albums, plus a few tracks from the highly acclaimed new album.

‘This is beautiful and important work’ – David Almond, author (Skellig, Kit's Wilderness)

Pavilion Arts Centre Saturday 29 September 7.30pm

Tickets: £21.50 No discounts

Tickets: £15, £17 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

PAUL CHOWDHRY

Opera House Saturday 29 September 2pm

- WHAT’S HAPPENING WHITE PEOPLE? Paul Chowdhry, star of Channel 4's Stand-Up For The Week, comes to Buxton with his brand new show What's Happening White People? Seen by many as the UK's number one Asian comic, with over 3 million YouTube hits, his highly-charged, dry, observational humour taps into the multicultural diversity of contemporary Britain. The Daily Telegraph describes Paul Chowdhry as ‘a star in the making’ and the Metro as ‘naturally funny’. Chowdhry has the balance of humour and honesty just right.

May contain strong language.

Jambo everyone! How Lion Became King of Tinga Tinga Land is an interactive show for the whole family, combining famous nursery rhymes with tales from the animals of the Maasai Mara, and with a traditional East African welcome! Expect to join in with the Cheeky Monkey, Kindly Giraffe, Wise Bird, Groovy Zebra and Proud Lion, in an all singing, dancing and drawing children’s production with a host of surprises. Msuri Sana! For ages 3 to 6.

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Tickets: £10, £12 No discounts

Tickets: Adults £10, Children £9 Family Tickets: £36 (4 people incl at least 1 child) or £27 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Children 2 or under: £2.50 (on parent’s knee).

Babies under 12 months: Free (on parent’s knee)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 23

Opera House Sunday 30 September 7.30pm

Opera House Monday 1 October 7.30pm

Mid Wales Opera presents

OFF THE BALL

DON GIOVANNI Following last year’s stunning production of Madam Butterfly, Mid Wales Opera returns with another masterpiece for 2012: Mozart’s tragic tale of, lust, betrayal and revenge. All human passion is exposed in the tense, claustrophobic world of Don Giovanni. The Don ducks & dives, but cannot escape his fate, while all around him others fall prey to their own weakness...

With music by turns dramatic, overpowering & seductive – full of well-known melodies – & given an up-to-date twist by Martin Lloyd-Evans (who directed MWO’s wonderful Falstaff in 2010), this new production is bound to set your heart racing.

Sung in an English translation by Amanda Holden, and accompanied by the MWO Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Cleobury, this will be a Don Giovanni to remember.

Tickets: £15, £19, £23 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

STARRING BOB MILLS, IAN STONE AND WILL BUCKLEY

Opera House Tuesday 2 October 7.30pm

SIXTIES GOLD

The Off The Ball team comes live and direct to Buxton to provide the definitive dose of wit and wisdom from the most talked-about Premier League season since the last one!

STARRING GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS,THE ANIMALS, PJ PROBY & CHIP HAWKES

Football-mad comedians Bob Mills and Ian Stone – stars of BBC Five Live’s award-winning Fighting Talk – line up on stage alongside show host Will Buckley and a local football personality (to be announced) to sift through every goal, every transfer, every manager sacking and every training ground shooting incident!

The hits of the 60s from the original stars of the 60s!

Gerry & The Pacemakers were the first band to have three consecutive No.1’s in the UK charts: How Do You Do It, I Like It and one of the greatest pop songs ever, You’ll Never Walk Alone. They went on to have numerous more hits, none more successful than the classic Ferry ‘Cross The Mersey.

Off The Ball puts the boot into the beautiful game and has a laugh about it – whatever fans are talking about, we’ll be talking about it too.

It’s football punditry, for the fans and by the fans.

Tickets: £16.50, £18.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/ Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/ Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

The Animals have maintained their reputation as one of Newcastle’s finest 60s groups for over 40 years.

With their hits Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Baby Can I Take You Home and their massive No.1 hit House Of The Rising Sun, they will have you rocking in the aisles.

PJ Proby, international recording star from the USA, had such huge hits as Hold Me, Together, Somewhere and Maria, while Chip Hawkes was original lead singer of The Tremeloes with such hits as Here Comes My Baby, Silence Is Golden, Even The Bad Times Are Good and Call Me Number One. An evening of pure nostalgia!

Tickets: £25.50, £27.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £3 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Wednesday 3 October 7.30pm Creative Cow presents

THE RIVALS A day in the life of a circle of socialites in the fashionable city of Bath, taking the waters, finding romance & having a jolly good gossip! No, it’s not another modern day ‘docusoap’, it’s Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s hilarious 18th century masterpiece The Rivals, packed full of the most extraordinary comic characters ever to grace the stage, including Mrs Malaprop with her famous twisted phrases & her niece Lydia Languish, busy falling in love with the handsome Jack Absolute, who himself is being pushed around by his explosive father Sir Anthony. After several misinterpreted love letters, crossconversations and an organised street fight, the day ends with each suitor happily paired off and country bumpkin Bob Acres throwing a big party for them all!

This classic piece of British theatre is revived by acclaimed ensemble Creative Cow, whose slick, fast-paced and stylised signature on one of the most fashionable comedies ever written will make The Rivals a show not to miss!

‘The hugely talented and inventive Creative Cow continues to present top-notch theatre’ – WhatsOnStage Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Suitable for audiences aged 11 & over

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 24

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Tickets: £14 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83) 25

Pavilion Arts Centre Saturday 6 October 7.30pm

ADAM HILLS - MESS AROUND After a sell-out UK tour in 2011, Australia’s Adam Hills (star of BBC TV’s Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo) is back to do it all again. Actually, he’s back to make it all up on the spot again. Mess Around is an evening of spontaneous, ad-libbed stand-up from one of Australia’s best-known comedians. No script, no plan, no idea.

Opera House Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 October 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm The John Godber Company & Theatre Royal Wakefield presents

LOST & FOUND LOST By Jane Thornton It’s the first day of the summer season and Tom & Chelsea have holiday jobs at the Court Hotel. They love their work; they could watch it all day, especially Len & Betty whose 50year marriage has run aground. So, grab a brandy, take the hair from the soup and discover why love is lost by the sea.

A bitter-sweet comedy, set on the Yorkshire coast.

FOUND Written and directed by John Godber It’s the last night of the summer season, and Tom & Chelsea’s holiday jobs are about to become a distant memory. There’ll be no more nights on the town, beer at the beach huts and surfing on the sea, as he goes back to university and she’s found on the dole. The Court Hotel brought them together, but ambition will pull them apart. A sharp & biting modern comedy about the haves and the chav nots!

Free after-show Q&A on Friday 5 in the Stalls.

Suitable for audiences aged 14 & over Tickets: £12, £14, £16 Discounts: Senior Citizens: £10 (matinee only), £1.50 off all other perfs (not Dress Circle).

Groups of 8 or more/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): ½ price Thurs, £2 off Fri & Sat. Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 26

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

‘Hills has the talent & imagination to keep going all night. He delivers an effortless display of impromptu humour’ – The Times May contain strong language.

Tickets: £13, £15 No discounts

Opera House Sunday 7 October 7.30pm

TIDESWELL MALE VOICE CHOIR & THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIR

T U O SOLD

Opera House Monday 8 October 7.30pm

BORN IN THE USA Put all your favourite rock classics & powerhouse ballads in one power-packed show, and you’ve got Born In The USA – the ultimate dream rock spectacular. Get ready to re-live the 70s, 80s & 90s as we take you on a rollercoaster ride through the era of North American rock, featuring timeless classics from the legends that are Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Foreigner, Toto, Van Halen and Journey, plus a whole lot more!

Join this superb cast of phenomenal singers & musicians as they invite you to the ultimate party to celebrate all that is great about North American rock…in one fantastic concert!

Tickets: £18, £20 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

AILABLE V A E B Y MA RETURNS

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Opera House Sunday 14 October 7.30pm

SPIRIT OF THE DANCE Opera House Tuesday 9 October 7.30pm

Opera House Wednesday 10 October 7.30pm

MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE

VAMPIRES ROCK

- THE BRIG SOCIETY Marcus offers us no less than the ‘total restructuring of every aspect of life in Britain’ (as he sees it, of course!) – organised entirely through the medium of comedy.

See this show – WIN a free hospital or school!

Second prize – a major High Street bank!

May contain strong language.

Tickets: £13, £15 No discounts

Steve Steinman returns to Buxton once again to play the supremely evil Baron Von Rockula in this classic rock spectacular! Owner of the Live and Let Die club, and in search of a new bride, the Baron must convince the unsuspecting Pandora, who auditions for the new singing position, to cross over to the dark side and live for ever in Rock ‘n’ Roll Hell.

Along with Steve, a cast of superb singers, dancers and a formidable band blast their way through some of the greatest ever rock anthems including We Will Rock You, Bat Out Of Hell, Highway To Hell, Since You’ve Been Gone, Sweet Child Of Mine, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Devil Gate Drive, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, Poison and many more, with an amazing stage set and pyrotechnics to blow your mind!

Tickets: £21.50, £23.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

EXTRA SHOWD ADDE Opera House Friday 12 & Saturday 13 October 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm

The international smash hit Spirit of the Dance is one of the most successful shows ever to come out of Ireland and has been seen by more than 25 million people in 15 countries around the world. Winner of nine Global Awards, including Best Choreography and Best International Production, this foot-stomping spectacular has up to ten separate dance troupes touring the world, with four permanent shows in America. Irish in origin and bursting with raw energy, this explosive and powerful show combines heart-pounding Irish dance with the sensual Latino rhythms of flamenco and red hot salsa in a thrilling production of strength and passion.

Tickets: £20.50, £22.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BBC Worldwide presents

HAIRY BIKERS - LARGER THAN LIVE

Show of Hands return to Buxton in a year that sees them play the Royal Albert Hall in celebration of 20 years together – an incredible partnership that has put them right at the top of British folk.

Opera House Thursday 11 October 7.30pm

SHOW OF HANDS 28

The triple BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners (Best Live Act, Best Duo, Best Original Song) are singer-songwriter Steve Knightley and multiinstrumentalist Phil Beer, joined by double bassist/vocalist Miranda Sykes. Their captivating music dips and dives through roots, rock, blues, country and trad folk – an unmistakable signature sound played out on a wealth of instruments from slide guitar to mandocello and from fiddle to South American cuatro, each gig promising a memorable, harmonyrich programme of punch-packing original songs.

Tickets: £16, £18 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

It’s been over 2 years since The Bikers’ last theatre tour (including Buxton in May 2010), and they’ve been dying to do it all over again – only this time it’ll be bigger, bolder, funnier, and packed with more food and laughs than ever before. Not just a show – a complete night out, with the chance for some of our lucky audience members to even enjoy a slap-up meal on stage, courtesy of the (Hairy) chefs!

Last time round they told you their story, but this time, they’re taking you on a culinary trip round the world. There will be a bit of dancing, a bit of flirting, a bit of singing and some downright hilarious comedy.

Tickets: £25 No discounts

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 29

BILL KENWRIGHT

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP PRESENTS

‘BRILLIANT! IT EXPLODES LIKE GLITTERING FIREWORKS’ ® Technicolor is a registered trademark of the Technicolor Group of Companies

SUNDAY TIMES

®

LYRICS BY

MUSIC BY

TIM RICE

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

Opera House Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 October Tues 7.30pm , Wed & Thurs 2pm & 7.30pm, Fri 5pm & 8pm Sat 2pm, 5pm & 8pm Having enjoyed sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright’s ‘Amazing’, ‘Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Brilliant’ production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance.

Keith Jack, runner-up in the hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do, takes on the title role, having won the hearts of the nation with his sparkling charisma and sensational singing voice.

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Those Canaan Days, Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door To Me. Joseph bursts on to the stage at Buxton Opera House – so book your tickets now and be part of the magic!

‘AMAZING ISN’T ADEQUATE ENOUGH A WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS WORK OF GENIUS. KILL FOR A TICKET’ CARDIFF POST

nner-up ream Will Do ru Starring Any D

H KEITH JACK AS JOSEP

‘A DREAM COME TRUE. IT IS UTTERLY IRRESISITBLE,

GO,GO,GO,JO’

‘A TECHNICOLOR TRIUMPH’

MAIL ON SUNDAY

THE INDEPENDENT

‘A SUPERB PIECE OF ENTERTAINMENT’

HHHH ‘A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. KEITH JACK IS EXCELLENT’ ‘THE BEST OF TIM RICE AND ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S MUSICALS’ THE HERALD

Tickets: Tues to Thurs eves: £17.50, £22, £26.50 Wed & Thurs Mats & Fri 5pm: £16.50, £19, £21.50 Fri 8pm & Sat perfs: £18.50, £23.50, £28.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/ Disabled/JSA/Income Support/Students/ Children: £3 off (not Dress Circle, not Fri eve or any Sat perfs).

School or children’s parties of 10 or more: £9 (Wed & Thurs 2pm & Fri 5pm only.

1 adult free per 10 children).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £5 off top 2 prices Tues, then £3.50 off all other perfs (not Fri 8pm or any Sat perfs).

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

DAILY MAIL

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Pavilion Arts Centre Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 October Heason Events present the inaugural

BUXTON ADVENTURE FESTIVAL 2012 A celebration of the very best speakers & films from the world of adventure, travel & sport

- THE GREATEST HITS TOUR Eighties icon Hazel O’Connor, star of the cult movie Breaking Glass, and with hits like the sublime Will You? under her belt, has continued to stride like a colossus across the British live music scene for over 30 years, and she now visits Buxton as part of her first ever Greatest Hits tour.

Live on stage with her full band (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, sax), Hazel will resurrect the magic of the original Breaking Glass movie soundtrack, powering through hits such as not only the unforgettable Will You?, but also Big Brother, D-Days and Eighth Day. This is a great opportunity to see the original queen of punk reliving the memories of the 80s – unmissable!

‘It’s all there, that voice, soaring sax, layered drums & textured guitar riffs...timeless...Hazel certainly still calls the tunes’ – Glastonbury Festival Tickets: £16.50, £18.50 No discounts

SUNDAY

10.30am: DAREDEVIL DANNY (For Young Adventurers)

10.30am: OLYMPIC DREAMS (For Young Adventurers)

24 year old multiple British trials bike champion Danny Butler, star of the Extreme Mountain Bike Show brings his bike along to show you some of hair-raising tricks. Plus 8 short films.

17 year old amputee Maddie Thompson is the youngest member of the Team GB Paralympic Women's Wheelchair Basketball Squad. Plus 6 short films.

12.30pm: SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE

Journalist Richard Askwith got hooked on running up & down trackless mountains in all weathers & his book Feet in the Clouds has become a cult classic. Plus 3 short films.

Record breaking adventurer and mountaineer Squash Falcolner solo paraglided from Mont Blanc and last year summited Mount Everest. Plus 2 short films.

Pavilion Arts Centre Thursday 18 October 7.30pm

HAZEL O'CONNOR

SATURDAY

3pm: MAPPING THE WORLD’S WATER

Opera House Monday 22 October 7.30pm

THAT’LL BE THE DAY It’s party time again as the nation’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll variety tour That’ll Be The Day returns by popular demand with a brand new show. Featuring many of the greatest hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s plus great new comedy, That’ll Be Day is 2 hours of non-stop nostalgia – a real trip down memory lane! Now in its 27th year of touring continuously in the UK and Europe, That’ll Be The Day is living proof that rock ‘n’ roll will never die!

Kate Rew is founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society & author of Wild Swim, a photographic journey around the best swims in Britain. Plus 3 short films.

5.30pm: WILD PLACES

12.30pm: FEET IN THE CLOUDS

3pm: INTO DARKNESS Gavin Newman - one of the world’s leading cave divers & an award-winning film maker whose work includes the BBC's Planet Earth series. Plus 2 short films.

5.30pm: FIVA – AN ADVENTURE THAT WENT WRONG

Internationally renowned nature photographer John Beatty captures the timeless rhythms of the natural environment, its beauty & simplicity & man’s place within it. Plus 2 short films.

Gordon Stainforth - writer, photographer & climber - tells how he escaped with his life on an ascent of Norway's dangerous Fiva Route. Plus 2 short films.

8pm: ADRENALINE JUNKIE

World Champion Downhill Mountain Biker Danny Hart – ‘the most technically gifted in the world’ - cemented his title with a legendary wet weather run in Switzerland. Plus 1 short film.

Ex-Para & pro-stuntman Gary Connery…the first person ever to jump from a helicopter & land in a pile of cardboard boxes - no parachute, just his wingsuit! Plus 2 short films.

‘What a great value for money show this is. Not to be missed!’ – Daily Mail

8pm: DOWNHILL DEMON

Tickets per session: Adults £10, Students & Children: £5, Families of 4: £20 Full day tickets: Adults £30, Students & Children: £15 Other discounts available for multiple sessions.

www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk

Tickets: £20, £22 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Sponsored by

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 32

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 33

Opera House Friday 26 October 7.30pm

A GALA FUNDRAISING CONCERT WITH

THE HALLÉ IN AID OF BLYTHE HOUSE HOSPICE

Opera House Tuesday 23 October 7.30pm

SETH LAKEMAN

Opera House Wednesday 24 October 7.30pm

Seth Lakeman returns to Buxton to showcase songs from his latest album, Tales from the Barrel House (on which Seth has not only written, sung and played all the instruments on every track but also recorded and mixed the whole album himself), as well as tracks from his back catalogue. The album underlines Seth’s innate knack for writing both foot-stomping, sing-along songs and more tender, thoughtful ballads. His playing is often breathtaking and his trademark, soaring vocals are at the forefront, as beguiling and haunting as ever. Charismatic & full of passionate energy, Tales from the Barrel House will enthral and entrance his growing army of fans.

Icarus Theatre Collective presents

Tickets: £19.50, £21.50 No discounts

Opera House Thursday 25 October 7.30pm

RHOD GILBERT - THE MAN WITH THE FLAMING BATTENBERG TATTOO May contain strong language.

Tickets: £25 (No discounts) 34

Blythe House bring The Hallé back to Buxton after sell-outs in 2008 and 2010. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Britain’s longest-established symphony orchestra, Manchester’s 88piece Hallé in a programme including music by Verdi, Vaughan Williams and Debussy, conducted by Stephen Bell.

Tickets: £15, £22.50, £27.50 No discounts

ROMEO & JULIET

Pavilion Arts Centre Friday 26 & Saturday 27 October 7.30pm Matinee: Saturday 2.30pm

By William Shakespeare Following the recent success and critical acclaim of Macbeth, the highly-rated Icarus Theatre Collective, directed by Max Lewendel, presents a bold and exciting new production of Shakespeare’s most tragic tale. In defiance of their families and in secrecy from their closest friends, hopeful young lives are played out amidst a celestial and cataclysmic backdrop.

Sun and moon shine down on star-crossed lovers as they hide their passion from their warring families. Misadventure, family pride, and ancient quarrels abort and bury the most joyous of beginnings, the most hopeful of love stories as Romeo & Juliet, driven apart, find their world turned into a constricting, single mausoleum of fate and death.

Buxton Drama League presents

HABEAS CORPUS

By Alan Bennett

SCHOOLS WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE: Contact participation@boh.org.uk or 01298 72050 Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Tickets: £12, £14, £16 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off.

Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

Tickets: £10, £12 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1 off JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off PlayLink (see p84)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

In 1960s Brighton, Dr Arthur Wicksteed battles with his midlife crisis, chasing women far too young for him and risking his marriage and whole career.

Everyone seems to be chasing their dream of love and fulfilment until the arrival of Lady Rumpers of Rangoon and her delicious daughter Felicity. Arthur’s sister Connie receives an interesting ‘package’ through the post that could change her life forever…if only Canon Throbbing can find the courage to consummate their relationship!

The ever-popular Buxton Drama League return to the Arts Centre with this quick-paced comedy – a great example of Alan Bennett’s brilliant early writing.

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 35

Opera House Saturday 27 October 7.30pm

Opera House Sunday 28 October 7.30pm

THE DRIFTERS

Impact Opera presents

CARMEN

- THE MASQUERADE TOUR

In this revival of Peter Knapp’s hugely successful adaptation of Bizet’s opera, 25 singers, dancers and musicians breathe vibrant new life into a glorious musical masterpiece. The hero, Don José, tells his powerful story on the eve of his execution, to a group of fellow prisoners, who create with him the dramatic scenes and colourful characters. All revolves around Carmen – gypsy, entertainer, femme fatale – who, provoking José’s dangerous obsession with her, brings about both his and her own tragic downfall. Full of passion, physicality and thrilling dance scenes, the production is choreographed by Seville-based flamenco dancer Noemi Luz.

Following the highly successful album Up On The Roof, The Drifters are back on the road in the UK performing both the classic hits from the last six decades and their superb new material.

There have been over 65 vocalists in the group’s incredible 59-year history and tonight, the current line-up performs fabulous hits such as You’re More Than A Number, Come On Over To My Place, Up On The Roof, Under the Boardwalk, Kissin’ In The Back Row, On Broadway, Save The Last Dance For Me and many more, as well as popular new tracks such as The One and The Whole World.

Tickets: £21.50, £23.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

‘Everything that this opera should be, dynamic, sexy, fastmoving and utterly compelling!’ – Daily Telegraph

Pavilion Arts Centre Studio Sunday 28 October 1.30pm & 3.30pm tutti frutti & York Theatre Royal present

RAPUNZEL tutti frutti celebrates its 21st birthday by commissioning a fabulous new playful production of Rapunzel – the story of a girl who is taken away from what she knows and kept from all the things she loves. High up in a tower above the world and faced with the challenge of growing up, she is found alone, dreaming…

With fantastic music from Chris Mellor, beautiful movement from TC Howard and magical design by Catherine Chapman, Rapunzel is a delightful new production for children about the curiosity and joys of growing up, risk-taking and discovering who you are.

For ages 3+ and their families.

‘Young audiences deserve the very best and here they get it’ – The Stage Tickets: Adults £6, Children £5 Family Tickets: £20 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £15 (3 people incl at least 1 child)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 36

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Tickets: £17, £21, £25 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Tuesday 30 October 7.30pm Featuring Andrea Pattison & The Partoners This new show pays tribute to one of the greatest icons of popular music…Dolly Parton – a unique performer and one of the greatest songwriters of her generation.

After four decades in the business she maintains her position as an iconic vocalist, composer, actress and business inspiration, and her recent critically-acclaimed back-to-her-roots bluegrass albums, Little Sparrow, The Grass Is Blue and Halos & Horns, have shown that her music continues to reach out to audiences, old and new, the whole world over.

The stunning vocals of Andrea Pattison are backed by a live 4-piece band. You can expect to hear accurate versions of Dolly’s most celebrated material, from her early country classics such as Coat Of Many Colours through to her later smash hits such as Islands in the Stream, Here You Come Again, Jolene, I Will Always Love You, Two Doors Down, Love Is Like A Butterfly and 9 to 5.

Tickets: £15.50, £17.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 37

Pavilion Arts Centre Thursday 1 November 6pm Visible Fictions Theatre Company present

JASON &THE ARGONAUTS Pavilion Arts Centre Wednesday 31 October 10am, 11.15am, 12.30pm & 1.45pm Mimika Theatre presents

LANDSCAPES Mimika are back, after their hugely popular October 2011 visit. Performing inside a white canvas dome their unique and intimate show takes children on a journey to four lovingly realised landscapes – from desert to rainforest, from beneath the sea to Antarctica. Using no words, Mimika combine beautifully crafted puppets with an original musical score, stunning visual effects and an ingenious set to create a theatre which magically captures the atmosphere, rhythms and sounds of the natural world. No child should miss Mimika – and no adult will ever forget them! For children aged 4 to 11.

‘Landscapes is one of the most mesmerising children’s theatre pieces I’ve ever seen’ – Calgary Sun Tickets: £4.50 (maximum of one adult per group of children please).

Opera House Wednesday 31 October 7.30pm

JIVE TALKIN’ - THE BEE GEES STORY The Bee Gees sold over 200 million records worldwide and had more than 30 UK chart hit singles. Now their Greatest Hits are brought incredibly back to life in Jive Talkin' – presenting the story of The Bee Gees live on stage. Featuring stunningly convincing vocals, the three leading men (whose career highs include starring in London's West End, numerous worldwide TV appearances and performing live with The Bee Gees themselves!) create a truly emotional musical journey in this amazing concert, featuring a stunning acoustic medley of some of The Bee Gees’ earlier hits and including all the greats…Stayin’ Alive, You Win Again, Night Fever, Tragedy, How Deep Is Your Love, Massachusetts and, of course, Jive Talkin!

Jason’s uncle isn’t exactly lovable…he’s murdered his brother (the king) and stolen the crown and now no one dares stand up to him. But, things are about to get a major shake up because, after being banished as a baby, our wannabe hero Jason returns to claim his rightful throne and make some big changes.

However, this is ‘ancient times’ and nothing is/was ever that straightforward. Jason and his crew must sail on The Argo to the other side of the world to find the Golden Fleece and bring it back in order to unite the people again. As if that wasn’t tricky enough, the odd monster, sleeping dragon and clashing rock endeavour to ruin his trip and spice things up on this most fantastic of journeys! A quirky, funny, exciting, one-act play for ages 9 & over – told as only Visible Fictions know how!

‘Silly, sophisticated & altogether winning take on an ancient Greek myth’ – New York Times Tickets: £11, £13 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1 off JSA/Income Support/Students/ Children: ½ price Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

Tickets: £15.50, £17.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Thursday 1 November 7.30pm

THE IDIOT BASTARD BAND The Idiot Bastard Band are a quartet dedicated to the comic song. They are Ade Edmondson (guitar, banjo, trumpet, mandolin, fiddle, coconuts), Neil Innes (keyboards, guitar, ukulele), Phill Jupitus (guitar, bass, kazoo, triangle) and Rowland Rivron (drums, congas, bongos, rude shouting). They play songs by The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Jake Thackray, Syd Barrett, George Formby, They Might Be Giants, Ian Dury, Mel Brooks and The Mighty Sparrow, among others – plus many of their own brand spanking new compositions.

During the winter of 2010/11 they held a raucous 8-week residency at The Wilmington Arms in Clerkenwell. Famously advertised as ‘Live Rehearsals’ the shows were a heady mixture of excitement and catastrophe, at once fabulously warm, surprising and hilarious. They did something similar this year at Monto Water Rats, where they found that actually, they weren’t half bad…so they’ve booked a few more shows and thought they might even bang a few festival performances out this summer.

Tickets: £20, £22 No discounts

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 38

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 39

Opera House Saturday 3 November 2pm Blunderbus Theatre Company presents

THE SELFISH CROCODILE The Octagon, Pavilion Gardens Friday 2 November 8pm to 1am

THE 4TH BUXTON SOUL NIGHT Opera House Friday 2 November 7.30pm

JACK DEE Catch Jack as he hits the road for his 2012 tour. After a six-year absence from stand-up, he’s back, agonizing over the slightest of annoyances and misdemeanors. Where’s he been? Appearing on shows like QI and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Have I Got News For You, hosting Radio 4’s legendary I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, cowriting and starring in four series of BBC 2’s hit sitcom Lead Balloon and writing his memoirs, Thanks For Nothing, which he modestly dedicated to himself – ‘without whom’ he says, ‘none of this would have been possible’. Why is he touring again? ‘I want to spend less time with my family’ says Jack.

Another great night of Northern Soul & Motown at the outstanding Octagon, in the Pavilion Gardens, taking you back to the days of Wigan Casino, The Torch and The Twisted Wheel.

With six outstanding national DJs: Ian Gee, Mick H, Nige Grice, Smudge Smith, Carl Piper and Mitch. For a great mix of 100% oldies, rare and not-so-rare Northern Soul this is an unmissable evening. Large dance floor, bar until 1am.

The funny tale of a brave little mouse and a very snappy crocodile. Based on the best-selling picture book by Faustin Charles and Mike Terry, this is a funny, heart-warming tale with a very happy ending, which reminds us all that the smallest act of kindness often has the greatest impact. The storytellers from Blunderbus use song, music and a host of beautiful puppets to bring this watery adventure to life. This is a must-see for 3 to 7 year-olds, their grown-ups, and of course, anybody with a pet crocodile!

‘A great mix of storytelling, puppetry and lively acting all add up to a splendid show’ – The Scotsman Tickets: Adults £7.50, Children £6.50 Family Tickets: £26 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £19.50 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Children 2 or under: £2.50 (on parent’s knee)

Opera House Saturday 3 November 7.30pm

AN EVENING WITH

SIR CHRIS BONINGTON Sir Chris Bonington is Britain's best-known mountaineer and one of the most successful expedition leaders in history. He started climbing at the age of 16 and has been on 19 Himalayan expeditions, including four to Everest. He is renowned for having made many first ascents in the Alps and all the great ranges of the world.

Chris was the first mountaineer on the lecture circuit but it has been many years since his last tour. Chris will be presenting a brand new ‘life and times’ talk, covering his 60 years spent in the mountains. With original images and raw footage, this is a rare opportunity to hear about some of the greatest expeditions of the 20th century.

Tickets: £16, £18 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Tickets: £7 No discounts

For ages 16 & over.

May contain strong language.

Tickets: £21 No discounts

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 40

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 41

IN THE PAVILION ARTS CENTRE STUDIO & THE PAUPERS PIT THEATRE

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE & PAVILION ARTS CENTRE BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 OR 01298 72190 www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

BLA BLA BLA Bla Bla Bla – aka Buxton Local Artists – present a great evening of music from the High Peak, featuring: The Elastic Band, presenting great songs in threepart harmony; quirky original songs and covers from Buxton-based singer & guitarist Stuart Kelly; oldtime American country from acoustic four-piece Dig Where You Stand; blending ska and indie with folk and rock, Arkham Karvers; and an eclectic mix of music, from country to jazz from El’Vino & The Ragged Company. Another brilliant and varied night of music & song from the cream of the local talent.

Presented in association with Club Acoustic.

Tickets: £7.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled/ JSA/Income Support/Students/Children/Matcham Cards/ Buxton Breaks: £1 off

Opera House Sunday 4 November 6pm

WAR HORSE - THE CONCERT A reading by the author, Michael Morpurgo With songs from John Tams & Barry Coope Morpurgo himself takes the recent National Theatre and cinema smash-hit back to its novel roots in this unique evening. This is the epic story of the horse who didn’t have the human frailty of taking sides. A powerful story, through the eyes of a horse, which moves from life on a farm in peaceful Devon to survival on the Western Front in the First World War. An evening of extraordinary storytelling, with heart-rending music from BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners, Tams and Coope.

Suitable for audiences aged 10 & over, the performance will last approximately 90 minutes – and true to the conventions of war, there will be no interval.

Tickets: Adults £17, Children £8.50

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studio season Presented in association with Buxton Festival Fringe & the University of Derby Theatre Arts Department

SEPT DEC 2012

Pavilion Arts Centre Saturday 3 November 8pm

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Studio Theatre Friday 14 & Saturday 15 September 7.30pm

Paupers Pit Theatre Friday 5 & Saturday 6 October 7.30pm

Studio Theatre Friday 19 October 7.30pm

Hyde Festival Theatre presents

Planet Rabbit Productions present

DEATH & THE MAIDEN

A LITTLE IN TENTS

University of Derby Theatre Arts Department & Delirious Theatre present

Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman’s explosive, awardwinning, 3-handed political thriller is set in an unnamed South American country only recently returned to democracy. Gerardo Escobar has been chosen to head the commission investigating the crimes of the old regime.

When his car breaks down he is given a lift home by Doctor Roberto Miranda. But Escobar’s wife, Paulina, a former political prisoner, thinks she recognizes, in the voice of this good Samaritan, the man who raped and tortured her as she lay blindfolded in a military detention centre years before. Is this her opportunity for terrifying revenge?

Pensioner Ron and his son Simon head off on a camping trip, despite neither of them having slept in a tent since a disastrous holiday in Bridlington in 1982 when Simon was 12. Ron is hoping for a relaxing break with a spot of fishing, Simon with a good book. All is going according to plan until largerthan-life Jill & Michelle pitch up beside them and all thoughts of tranquility cease.

A tale full of laughter, tears, tenderness and a dollop of campsite capers from writer Claire Spratt.

A thrilling and tense contemporary masterpiece, recently revived to huge acclaim in the West End. For audiences aged 16 & over.

Tickets: £8 (Discounts: £1 off)

Paupers Pit Theatre Friday 28 & Saturday 29 September 7.30pm ARK Theatre presents

SOMETHING BEGINNING WITH After a hit-and-run causes them to crash their car into a tree, Jake and Ollie hide out in the middle of nowhere with just each other and the static on the radio for company. Initially the pair relish in the adventure until a sudden twist in the tale causes them to rethink everything they've been through. This dark comedy explores the lengths the two will go to in order to stay in each other's lives. A story of friendship, struggle and realisation.

Contains strong language. Suitable for audiences aged 16+.

Tickets: £6 (Discounts: £1 off)

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Suitable for audiences 12 & over.

Tickets: £8 (Discounts: £1 off)

ARTIST DESCENDING A STAIRCASE Paupers Pit Theatre Friday 12 & Saturday 13 October 7.30pm Breathe Out Theatre presents

KAFKAESQUE Co-written by Peter Farrar & Rob Johnston (previous Buxton hits: Rid The World and The Opposite of Claustrophobic), Kafkaesque is inspired by the stories of Franz Kafka, author of Metamorphosis and The Trial.

Performed by two actors, it’s a collection of tales that are comic, dark, and challenging – a surreal and humorous journey through the essential question of Kafka’s work: ‘What does it mean to be human?’

Tickets: £6 (Discounts: £1 off)

Originally written for radio in 1972, Tom Stoppard’s classic comes to life using sound to tell the story of three elderly avant-garde artists who have co-existed for over 50 years.

The meaning and purpose of art are explored using Stoppard’s renowned wit and mastery of the English language, creating a timeless comedy. Delirious Theatre's debut production of a British classic promises to both entertain audiences and provoke thought on exactly what it is that constitutes art.

Tickets: £8 (Discounts: £1 off)

Studio Theatre Wednesday 14 November 7.30pm Hotbuckle Productions present

LES MISERABLES Paupers Pit Theatre Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 October 7.30pm Cheshire Actors Studio presents

THE LIZ & DICK SHOW

By Dhanil Ali The battling Burtons, referred to as ‘The Liz & Dick Show’ by their friends, put each other to the test on the film set of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. As the characters of George and Martha come to life, Richard and Elizabeth snipe and tease each other, reflecting their respective film roles.

This new one-act play from writer Dhanil Ali explores the love and the passion between the two most dynamic screen actors of their generation.

Prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean is released from prison and so begins his bitter struggle to find redemption for the sins of his past and become a force for good. Always at his heels is his nemesis, the ruthless, puritanical policeman Javert, who has made it his life’s work to recapture Valjean and put him back in prison. Set in a time when riot and revolution were in the air, and those with all the power and money were blinkered to the coming storm, this epic story of love, injustice and atonement is as relevant now as it ever was.

‘A powerful piece of theatre’ – Monmouthshire Beacon Tickets: £8 (Discounts: £1 off)

Studio Theatre Saturday 17 November 7.30pm Handheld Arts presents

PAPER TOM A poignant and absorbing new play that follows the stories of two British soldiers almost 100 years apart: one from the Great War of 1914-18, and the second in present-day Afghanistan. This production traces the parallel challenges of what happens to soldiers and their loved-ones once the adrenaline of active service has faded.

‘An extraordinary & memorable piece of storytelling’ – Fringe Guru Tickets: £6 (Discounts: £1 off)

Suitable for audiences aged 15+ Tickets: £6 (Discounts: £1 off)

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Paupers Pit Theatre Friday 30 November & Saturday 1 December 7.30pm

Studio Theatre Friday 21 & Saturday 22 December 7.30pm Nunkie Theatre Company presents

Taste Productions present

OLIVER

Studio Theatre Saturday 15 December 7.30pm

Based on the novel by Charles Dickens

MiG Productions present

Taste Productions return to Buxton with their own unique re-telling of Dickens’ novel, bringing to life the pathos and tragedy of the Victorian workhouse and the life of the countless unknown urchins who struggled to stay alive in the filth of the world’s greatest city – all performed with a Brechtian/physical theatre and multi-role twist!

A KICK IN THE BAUBLES

- WITH A TWIST! Studio Theatre Sunday 18 November 7.30pm Hunt & Laurence present

MAPP & LUCIA AHOY! It’s anchors aweigh for the new show from Sandra Hunt and Rachel Laurence, as they bring to glorious life arch rivals Mapp and Lucia, and their friends – adapted by Laurence from the novels by E F Benson. Whether swept out to sea on a kitchen table, dabbling in the paranormal or re-enacting the Spanish Armada, the eccentric residents of Tilling-by-the-Sea are guaranteed to shiver your timbers and warm your cockles in this funny and exuberant celebration of the uniquely English art of oneup(wo)manship. Full steam ahead!

Tickets: £10 (Discounts: £2.50 off)

Tickets: £8 (Discounts: £1 off)

It's another peaceful Christmas in the Bailey household but chestnuts aren't roasting on an open fire. A Silent Night would be very welcome, but all is certainly not calm and all is certainly not bright. Frank does not wish it could be Christmas every day – in fact, he's dreading the arrival of his snobbish in-laws who only ever bring a single bottle of wine for the festivities. Throw in a couple of larger-than-life neighbours, let the drink flow merrily, and everything is set for a car-crash Christmas.

But when Frank and Jean’s estranged daughter Milly suddenly appears, the rug is pulled out from underneath the chaos and the heartstrings are firmly tugged.

‘Executed with panache, it might just jingle your bells’ – The Times Tickets: £8 (Discounts: £1 off)

Discounts on tickets for Studio Season productions apply to: Matcham Card holders, Buxton Breaks, Senior Citizens, Groups of 8 or more, Disabled customers, JSA or Income Support claimants, Children 16 or under (where admitted) & Full-time Students.

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COUNT MAGNUS Two ghost stories by M R James As a footnote to the highlyacclaimed M R James Trilogy and by way of a 150th birthday present to the great supernatural writer, Nunkie offer this, their latest oneman storytelling event. In the classic spinechiller Count Magnus, a travel writer’s over-inquisitiveness leads to a breathless, diabolical chase from darkest Sweden to rural Essex. Then, Denmark is the setting for Number 13, where a hotel room with the famously unlucky number conceals a ghastly and baffling secret.

‘Riveting…wonderful, magical storytelling. A pleasing reminder that the spoken word can be as spinechilling as anything in the cinema’ – Daily Mail Tickets: £8 (Discounts: £1 off)

Pavilion Arts Centre Studio Sunday 4 November 7.30pm

ALUN COCHRANE - MOMENTS OF ALUN Alun Cochrane brings his critically acclaimed show Moments of Alun to the Arts Centre! You may have seen him on YouTube, or on Dave, or on a panel game, or Channel 4, or just on a bus somewhere.

Expect thinking aloud, chat with the audience, and Cochrane-style stand-up. A huge – and quite brilliant – hit at Edinburgh 2011.

‘By the end of the show, some people in the audience literally can’t stop laughing. Expect Alun Cochrane to be filling arenas soon’ – The Independent May contain strong language Tickets: £12 No discounts

Opera House Monday 5 November 7.30pm The Original Theatre Company presents

THREE MEN IN A BOAT Jerome K. Jerome's classic tale of boating misadventure, adapted for the stage by Craig Gilbert, has become the quintessential example of the charm and wit of Victorian England and has kept audiences laughing for well over a century – a ripping yarn of youthful friendship, mischief and folly celebrating the very essence of Britishness.

In an attempt to escape the stress of city life, J, Harris, George and their faithful canine companion Montmorency, decide to take a boating jaunt between Kingston and Oxford. However a trip intended to relax and rejuvenate quickly becomes a journey of unquenchable comedy, with death-defying battles with swans, culinary disasters and contrary tea kettles just a few of the challenges along the way. In this imaginative new adaptation, the three actors (and their handful of props) of the acclaimed and award-winning Original Theatre Company play all the characters and bring to life the high jinks & hilarity of the most famous boating holiday in history.

Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Tickets: £14 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 47

Opera House Thursday 8 November 7.30pm

JOAN ARMATRADING Three times Grammy nominee, Brit Award nominee and Ivor Novello winner, singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading MBE returns to Buxton, with special guest Chris Wood (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Singer of the Year 2011).

Never one to rest on her laurels, Joan remains fresh, vibrant and current – and no more so than when live, on stage, where her music comes to life. During her long and illustrious career Joan has been successful in all musical genres: pop, blues, folk, reggae and jazz, and with every new tour her audience is guaranteed a fantastic mix of magical old favourites and brand new songs to fall in love with. Joan is as happy to play Love & Affection, Willow, Drop The Pilot and Me, Myself I as the audience is to hear them. She is equally happy and proud of how her audiences embrace hearing new and exciting compositions, like Into The Blues and This Charming Life.

Pavilion Arts Centre Wednesday 7 November 7.30pm

Plus support: Hannah Beighton.

Tickets: £27.50, £29.50 No discounts

Red Dog Productions present

DOMBEY & SON

Opera House Tuesday 6 November 7.30pm

FOSTER & ALLEN The beautiful melodies of Foster & Allen have made them a phenomonal success all over the world during their incredible 37-year career. Since their first hit record in 1978 Mick and Tony have gone on to record 20 gold discs and toured the world countless times, enthralling audiences with their hit singles, Maggie, Old Flames and A Bunch Of Thyme, among many others. Don’t miss this opportunity to spend a wonderful evening being serenaded and entertained by this well-loved Irish duo – together for over three decades and still going strong.

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 48

By Charles Dickens

Opera House Wednesday 7 November 7.30pm

JULIAN CLARY - POSITION VACANT: APPLY WITHIN Julian Clary is looking for love and he’s not leaving town empty handed! The master of camp is scouring the land in search of love, and has promised to leave no straight unturned. ‘Because I’m still considered to be quite a catch and because your town is noted for its heterosexuals on the cusp, there’s bound to be stiff competition’, says Julian. ‘Therefore I’ll be hosting ruthless elimination games. You can be sure of one thing. By the end of the evening, we’ll all be celebrating my new partnership.’

A glass of Blue Nun may be available to those who make an effort, or to anyone named Jason. But please bring your own confetti. For audiences aged 16 & over.

Tickets: £18, £20 No discounts

For Dombey, money and the power it brings are the only gods worth worshipping. But can money really buy him everything he dreams of? What of love, or life itself? This is a tale of pride and passion, generosity and greed, of human foibles and the society which breeds them - a tale told with Dickens’ characteristic humour, indignation and pathos. In this sparkling new production, adapted by Jude Emmet, Red Dog brings a rogues’ gallery of unforgettable characters vividly and imaginatively to life, to delight, outrage and entertain. ’A superb production’ - Venue Magazine ’Proving you don’t have to be big to be brilliant. This is definitely not one to miss’ – Remotegoat Tickets: £10, £12 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1 off JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off PlayLink (see p83)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

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Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 November Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre, in conjunction with Buxton Film, presents the

N O T X U B L A V I T S F E OR L D OF W A CINEM 2012

Pavilion Arts Centre Thursday 8 November 7.30pm

FOCUS Classic rock Dutch-style as these unlikely '70s chart toppers (Hocus Pocus and Sylvia) reform to bring their virtuoso Hammonds, flutes and yodelling back to the stage. Still featuring founder member – and rock's only yodeller! – Thijs Van Leer, as well as the world-class drumming of Pierre van der Linden.

Plus support Tickets: £18, £20 No discounts

Opera House Friday 9 November 7.30pm

OVIES S – 17 M E U N E V –2 OMEDy, C , N 4 DAyS O I S OF pAS NSE, A FEAST ACTION, SUSpE IC FOR , S COLOUR NTARy AND MU VERy E DOCUME OF FILM FROM LOVERS OF ThE gLOBE… CORNER

Blackeyed Theatre, in association with South Hill Park, presents

Saturday 10 November Pavilion Arts Centre 2pm Once Upon A Time in Anatolia (15) Turkey 5pm Submarine (15) UK 7.30pm The Angels’ Share (15) UK

Saturday 10 November Paupers Pit Theatre

Thursday 8 November Paupers Pit Theatre

7pm Lifeboat (PG) USA 8.45pm Shadow of a Doubt (PG) USA

7pm Chico and Rita (15) Spain 8.45pm Bombay Beach (no cert.) USA

Sunday 11 November Pavilion Arts Centre

Friday 9 November Pavilion Arts Centre 2pm Pina (U) Germany 4.15pm Om Shanti Om (12A) India 7.30pm Marley (15) USA

2pm Even the Rain (15) Spain 5pm Headhunters (15) Norway 7.30pm Carancho (15) Argentina

Sunday 11 November Paupers Pit Theatre

Friday 9 November Paupers Pit Theatre

7pm La Grande Illusion (U) France 9.05pm Hearts and Minds (15) USA

7pm Timecrimes (15) Spain 8.40pm Primer (12A) USA

All tickets: £4 (Discounts: 50p off) Special Paupers Pit double-bill tickets: £6 (Discounts: £1 off)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 50

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MOTHER COURAGE & HER CHILDREN

By Bertolt Brecht

Two ideologies collide in a conflict that stretches across a continent and threatens the balance of world power.

In its midst, one woman, her three children by her side, sees an opportunity to survive, a way to profit from the slaughter by selling goods to both sides. But in her quest for material gain, she must make the ultimate sacrifice.

Regarded by many as the greatest play of the 20th century and even the greatest anti-war play of all time, Mother Courage & Her Children asks fundamental questions about the effects our beliefs have on the world and the role of ideology in society and world affairs. The brilliant translation of Brecht’s masterpiece

by Lee Hall (screenplay: The Pitmen Painters, War Horse) is accessible, fresh and bang up to date. Brought to the stage by the highly-acclaimed Blackeyed Theatre with superb ensemble performances and live music – a truly unforgettable theatrical experience.

SCHOOLS WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE: Contact participation@boh.org.uk or 01298 72050 Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Suitable for ages 13 & over.

Tickets: £14 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83) 51

Opera House Sunday 11 November 7.30pm

AL MURRAY THE PUB LANDLORD - THE ONLY WAY IS EPIC Broken Britain may be staring into the bottom of an empty pint glass, but don’t lose hope – Al Murray The Pub Landlord is back to fill it up again, with a brand new show of epic proportions.

Britain’s most irrepressible innkeeper will be serving up his premier brew of ale-inspired acumen and bar-room buffoonery this autumn, as part of his 2012 The Only Way Is Epic tour.

This monumental new live stand-up show from the multi-awardwinning comedian, directly follows the nationwide success of the Guv’s twice-extended Barrel of Fun tour, and is sure to sell-out fast. Get your orders in now!

May contain strong language.

Tickets: £26 No discounts

Opera House Saturday 10 November 7.30pm

MARTY WILDE’S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PARTY Original ‘dreamboats’, Marty Wilde, John Leyton and Eden Kane, plus the Wildcats, join forces in Marty Wilde’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party.

The late fifties and early sixties were without doubt some of the most exciting and important years in the history of music. With the arrival of rock ‘n’ roll, a whole new pop culture was born.

Performing their own hits and collaborating live on stage, teen idols of their day, Marty, John and Eden show us how rock ‘n’ roll, with its fusion of sound and rhythm, shaped the style of music that we listened to then and still do today.

Tickets: £22.50, £24.50 Discounts: Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Wednesday 14 November 7.30pm Opera House Tuesday 13 November 7.30pm

KINGS OF SWING The Kings of Swing is a contemporary swing show featuring the Kings of Swing Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Francis, and presenting some of the best swing vocalists currently performing throughout Europe.

The show celebrates all things swing with some of the greatest hits of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Nat King Cole, as well as more recent hits by Michael Buble, Paulo Nutini, Brian Setzer, and others. It includes such songs as Mr Bojangles, Mack The Knife, Fly Me To The Moon, Moondance, That’s Amore, I Get A Kick Out Of You, Beyond The Sea, New York New York and many more. If swing is your thing, then this is the show for you!

Tickets: £15.50, £17.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

THE DEMON BARBERS -THE LOCK-IN! THE UK'S NO.1 FOLK & HIP-HOP DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA! Some of the UK’s oldest and newest forms of dance are brought face-to-face in this exciting new show. A group of street dancers arrive at an apparently deserted pub, The Fighting Cocks, after hours, but as the regulars arrive, a clash of cultures turns into a dance floor stand-off! The skill, speed and athleticism on both sides soon wins the others over as old and new are brought together in an exciting and dynamic dance-off. Sword dances are performed with snooker-cues, pub bouncers dance the Morris and B-boys flirt with clog girls. Meanwhile house band The Demon Barbers takes folk music on a journey with hip hop, house, funk and ska and says hello to drum & bass along the way! Fast-paced and innovative, The Lock In! does for folk dance what Riverdance did for Irish dance and Diversity for street dance.

‘A lively, entertaining performance guaranteed to raise weary spirits & send an audience home smiling’ – The Times Tickets: £15.50, £17.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 52

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Pavilion Arts Centre Friday 23 & Saturday 24 November 7.30pm

Opera House English Touring Opera ...returns to Buxton with a bold programme of highly theatrical operas rich in drama,

Kaleidoscope Youth Theatre Company presents

dance and song, performed with excellence by superb singers and players...

Friday 16 November 7.30pm

ALBERT HERRING

By Benjamin Britten

A genuinely hilarious satire set in a Suffolk village, Albert Herring is a classic depiction of English village life. Directed

by Chris Rolls (nominated for a 2011 Olivier Award) and conducted by Britten expert Michael Rosewell, with Mark Wilde in the title role and Jennifer Rhys Davies as a formidable Lady Billows.

There will be a FREE pre-performance talk from 6.30pm to 7pm in the Pavilion Arts Centre on Friday 16. Please ask for a ticket when booking for the opera.

Saturday 17 November 7.30pm

CHRIST LAG IN TODES BANDEN & THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS

By J S Bach

By Viktor Ullmann

The Emperor of Atlantis was written when Viktor Ullmann (composer) and Peter Kien (writer) were prisoners at the Terezin concentration camp during World War II, and has since been acclaimed as an extraordinary testament of wit and humanity in the face of barbarity. James Conway’s new production will be accompanied by a staging of J S Bach’s sublime cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ Lay in Death’s Bonds).

The evening will start at 7.30pm with a free pre-performance talk to give further background and context to the issues raised in the opera. After a short interval, the performance of Christ lag in Todesbanden/The Emperor of Atlantis will start at 8.15pm. Your ticket entitles you to attend the talk, but you may attend only the main performance if you prefer.

Both operas sung in English & accompanied by the ETO orchestra.

Tickets: £17, £24, £27, £30 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £3.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 Book for both operas at the same time & save £10 off the total price (top two prices only).

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0 SAVE £1

Opera House Sunday 18 November 7.30pm Original Manfred Mann members Paul Jones, Mike Hugg and Tom McGuinness and former member Mike d’Abo, are joined by Rob Townsend, Marcus Cliffe and Simon Currie as the exciting new line-up of The Manfreds, featuring both lead singers from the 1960s band.

Manfred Mann formed in 1962, and firmly secured their place in the history books of British popular and R&B music with a strong of Top Ten hits. They reformed as The Manfreds in 1991, and 2012 is proving a busy year celebrating their anniversary with music old and new.

Featuring all their greatest hits including 5-4-3-2-1, Just Like A Woman, Do Wah Diddy, Semi-detached Suburban Mr James, Ha! Ha! Said the Clown, The Mighty Quinn, If You Gotta Go, Go Now, My Name is Jack, Fox On The Run, Pretty Flamingo and Ragamuffin Man as well as individual hits including Paul Jones’ Hightime and I’ve Been A Bad Bad Boy, McGuinness Flint’s Malt & Barley Blues, Mike d’Abo’s compositions Build Me Up Buttercup and Handbags & Gladrags and Mike Hugg’s Likely Lads Theme.

Tickets: £22, £24 Discounts: Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

By Geoffrey Chaucer. Adapted for the stage by Mike Poulton.

The Canterbury Tales is one of the most famous literary collections in British history and a masterpiece of storytelling. In this modern and exciting version – told in traditional Middle English– the pilgrims recount their tales along with Chaucer himself, in a performance that promises to be comic, tragic and even a little bit naughty in places! It’s a challenging production for our second company of 14 to 18 year olds (founded in January 2012), as they embark on this, their first-ever Arts Centre production, with gusto and delight!

Suitable for ages 11 & over.

Tickets: £7 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled/JSA/Income Support/Students/Children/Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks: £1 off

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 54

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 55

THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON

COMES TO BUXTON!

Opera House Monday 19 to Saturday 24 November 7.30pm Matinees: Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm Calendar Girls has been the fastest selling tour ever and has triumphed in the West End. Now, it’s coming to Buxton Opera House!

A group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference! Based on an inspiring true story and the smash hit film, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious.

Calendar Girls has sold out in every theatre it’s visited before opening. Don’t miss out – book today for the show The Mail On Sunday called ‘marvellous theatre, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and come out singing Jerusalem!’

‘A show I could see over and over again – and I hope I will!’

– Sir Cliff Richard ‘Lots of laughs and a few tears. This show should be on everyone’s calendar’ – June Whitfield Tickets: £14.50, £19.50, £24.50 (Thurs mat), £17.50, £22.50, £27.50 (Mon to Thurs eves & Sat mat), £19.50, £24.50, £29.50 (Fri & Sat eves).

No discounts

Photograph by John Swannell

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Pavilion Arts Centre Sunday 25 November 7.30pm

FELICITY ASTON - ALONE IN ANTARCTICA In January 2012, almost 100 years to the day after Captain Scott reached the South Pole, Felicity Aston became the first woman in history to ski across Antarctica alone. For 59 days Felicity dragged 85kg of supplies 1744km across the coldest continent on earth, enduring temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees and storm force winds.

Opera House Sunday 25 November 2.30pm & 7.30pm Ballet Theatre UK presents

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Ballet Theatre UK, who brought The Snow Queen to Buxton in Autumn 2011, are back, with a magical journey to the dark and twisting streets of old Dickensian London. Meet Ebenezer Scrooge, a penny-clutching old miser, his heart so cold it can’t be softened by any amount of festive cheer. Then, one magical night Scrooge is visited by mystical ghosts, who show him there is more to life than work and money, and slowly he begins to recognise the true meaning of Christmas.

With a cavalcade of colourful characters, including Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim and the comical Mr Fezziwig, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the festive spirit. Filled with joy, laughter and heartbreaking moments, plus beautifully hand-crafted costumes and stage sets that conjure up perfectly the world of Dickensian London, this new production combines traditional ballet with captivating theatre, all performed to a glorious classical score.

Tickets: £15, £19, £23 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 58

From its first sighting in 1820, Antarctica has held a fascination for explorers.

It is the only continent that is entirely covered in ice all year round, an environment so hostile that it has no indigenous population and supports barely any vegetation. Spending two months alone in this extreme landscape, where even the smallest mistake can prove treacherous, was a gruelling yet remarkable experience. Using her own film footage and stunning images from her expedition, Felicity will transport the audience to the last true remaining wilderness on Earth.

Tickets: £10, £12 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1 off JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off

Opera House Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 November 7.30pm Mappa Mundi, The Torch Theatre & Theatr Mwldan present

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Peter Doran directs an outstanding cast of thirteen – young lovers, warring fairies and mischievous mechanicals – who meet in a moonlit forest in this magical adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic comedy. Set on the home front during the Second World War, this new production tells of a very British way of life, and of an old class structure weakened by the destructiveness of war. Yet there is a feeling of adventure – romance is in the air, and people live life for the moment, not knowing what tomorrow may hold, in this endlessly inventive production laced with wicked wit, genuine enchantment and a symbolic escape from reality.

Free after-show Q&A on Monday 26 in the Stalls.

Supported by the Welsh Government & the Arts Council of Wales through the National Performing Arts Touring scheme.

Tickets: £12, £14, £16 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/ Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 59

Opera House Thursday 29 November 7.30pm

Pavilion Arts Centre Friday 30 November & Saturday 1 December 7.30pm Kaleidoscope Intermediate Theatre Company presents

Opera House Wednesday 28 November 7.30pm

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES Eve Ensler’s hilarious Broadway and West End smash hit is back with an all-new, all-star cast, featuring TV favourite Clare Buckfield (Dancing on Ice, Two Point Four Children), the fabulous Vicky Entwistle (Janice Battersby in Coronation Street) and the bubbly and brilliant Hayley Tamaddon (Emmerdale, Dancing On Ice). An unmissable show for every generation – bring your mum, your best friend, your sister or even your gran – this is the ultimate girls night out…trust us!

‘Eve Ensler’s glorious show is warm, open, exciting, enchanting & hilariously funny! See it even if you haven’t got one’ – Sunday Times For ages 16 & over.

May contain strong language.

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 60

Not only were 10cc (Graham Gouldman, Rick Fenn, Paul Burgess, Mick Wilson & Mike Stevens) makers of some of the greatest hits of the 70s, they are currently one of the most exciting live bands in the country and are embarking on a tour to a string of major UK venues to celebrate 40 years in the business.

Catch up with 10cc as they perform their Greatest Hits and more, including Rubber Bullets, I’m Not In Love, Dreadlock Holiday, Donna, Art For Art’s Sake, Good Morning Judge, The Things We Do For Love, I’m Mandy Fly Me, Life Is A Minestrone, The Dean And I and The Wall Street Shuffle.

Tickets: £26, £28 No discounts

Opera House Friday 30 November 7.30pm The New London Opera Players present

FIDELIO The New London Opera Players present Beethoven’s dramatic opera, telling the story of Leonore, who, disguised as the prison guard ‘Fidelio’ attempts to free her husband Florestan from death at the hands of his political enemies. Although known as a serious opera, the characters in Fidelio have their roots in commedia dell’arte, giving a lightness which the New London Opera Players have brought to the forefront of this masterpiece – the only opera ever written by the composer recognised by many as history’s finest.

Sung in English and accompanied by the New London Opera players Ensemble.

Tickets: £16, £22, £24, £26 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £3 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

By Hattie Naylor The epic tale of Odysseus and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War forms one of the earliest and greatest works of Western literature. Confronted by natural and supernatural threats, our hero Odysseus must use all his strength, courage and wit to overcome adversaries such as Circe, Polyphemus the Cyclops, the mighty Poseidon, the beautiful goddess Calypso, the Sirens and many others, in order to safely reach his homeland once more.

Join our second Intermediate Theatre Company, aged 11 to 13, for their debut production in the Arts Centre – an epic telling of a classic work for a contemporary audience.

For ages 8+ and their families.

Tickets: £7 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled/JSA/Income Support/Students/Children/Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks: £1 off

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 61

Opera House Saturday 1 December 2pm

Opera House Saturday 1 December 8pm

Image Musical Theatre presents

ALAN DAVIES

PINOCCHIO Image Musical Theatre’s production of Pinocchio is great fun. Full of fascinating, larger-than-life characters who draw the little puppet into all sorts of risky adventures, this show is sure to entertain the whole family. With wonderful songs, great costumes and an ingenious set, the show gives us Pinocchio’s journey from being a naughty, disobedient puppet to his realisation of the need to care for others and receive the ultimate reward of becoming a ‘real live boy’.

Using Image’s usual popular format, the first half provides the opportunity for some children to be selected as actors and for the whole audience to learn the chorus songs for a full performance in the second half, this is family theatre at its best.

Pavilion Arts Centre Friday 7 December at 7pm & Saturday 8 December at 3pm Kaleidoscope Junior Theatre Company presents

- LIFE IS PAIN More than a decade after his last stand-up show, and following a hugely successful tour of Australia in 2011, Alan Davies, much-loved star of such iconic television series as Jonathan Creek and QI, makes a long-awaited return to live stand-up this Autumn.

‘A well-rounded and hilarious show…a wonderful return to stand-up from Davies’ – Chortle (Australia & NZ) May contain strong language.

Tickets: £25 No discounts

For ages 5 to 9 and their families.

Tickets: Adults £8, Children £7 Family Tickets: £28 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £21 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Pavilion Arts Centre Sunday 2 December 7.30pm

JEREMY HARDY Jeremy Hardy has been a stand-up comic since 1984 and will be one until either he dies or wins the Lottery! Best known for his work on Radio 4, notably on The News Quiz, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue and Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation, Jeremy is back at the Arts Centre after his sell-out 2010 visit.

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

By Tim Wright You are invited to the bazaar, where a wise old beggar will take your imagination on a magic carpet ride through tales filled with laughter, love and life lessons! When a spoiled young princess comes across the storytelling beggar in the marketplace, she gets more than she bargained for...and is changed forever. Featuring stories from 1001 Arabian Nights, such as The Husband & The Parrot, The Donkey Driver, The Two Thieves and The Fisherman & The Genie. The beggar skilfully brings the stories alive, highlighting the unique morality of each. Be whisked away with the princess to explore tales filled with talking animals, spectacular miracles, light-hearted comedy and timeless lessons.

Join our second Junior Theatre Company, aged 8 to 10, for their debut Arts Centre production of this magical tale.

Perfect for ages 4+ and their families.

Tickets: £12, £14 No discounts

Tickets: £7 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled/JSA/Income Support/Students/Children/Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks: £1 off

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 62

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 63

Pavilion Arts Centre Sunday 9 December 7.30pm

ROB ROUSE - LIFE SENTENCES Star of Mad Mad Mad World (ITV1), 8 out of 10 Cats (C4), Dave's One Night Stand (Dave), The Comedy Store (Comedy Central) & Spoons (C4), this is Rob doing what Rob does best – honest, frank, seriously funny stand-up. A father for the second time, to a baby girl, Rob is now a radical feminist – but this is not a show about men vs women, more humanity vs insanity.

Warning: Not suitable for children or your prissy Aunty. If you don't fall into either of these categories, you should love it.

Pavilion Arts Centre Sunday 9 December 2pm Blunderbus Theatre Company presents

THE VERY SNOWY CHRISTMAS It's the night before Christmas, and Big Mouse and Little Mouse are putting up decorations. Little Mouse scampers out to search for holly but finds big white flakes falling from the sky. ‘Goodness me!’ he cries, ‘the sky is coming undone!’ As Little Mouse's world is covered in snow, he discovers strange things all around him in this jolly snowy adventure.

Based on the best-selling book by author Diana Hendry and illustrator Jane Chapman, this charming winter's tale comes to life with music, song, puppetry and a glittering snowy set.

So, wrap up warm as Little Mouse invites you to join him (and Big Mouse) for their fabulous festive celebrations, guaranteed to warm the coldest of hearts. It's going to be a jolly, snowy Christmas.

For children aged 3 to 7.

Tickets: Adults £7.50, Children £6.50 Family Tickets: £26 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £19.50 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

Children 2 or under: £2.50 (on parent’s knee).

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May contain strong language.

‘A man with genuinely funny bones’ – Sunday Times

Opera House Sunday 9 December 7.30pm

Tickets: £13, £15 No discounts

CHRISTMAS WITH THE

Opera House Sunday 16 December 7.30pm

BUXTON MUSICAL MADDY PRIOR & THE CARNIVAL BAND SOCIETY - CAROLS & CAPERS 2012 Plus their special guests, The Choir of Worcester College, Oxford

Join us once again for our traditional carol concert with Buxton’s very own Muscial Society chorus & orchestra, conducted by Michael Williams, and, of course, their very special guests. This is a concert always guaranteed to get you into the festive spirit, and includes a wide selection of carols and Christmas songs, with the audience, as usual, actively encouraged to sing along!

Tickets: £12, £14 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p90): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p91): £5

Following the hugely popular 2010 Christmas tour, renowned folk singer Maddy Prior joins up once again with the Carnival Band for their unique festive show Carols & Capers. Together they mix renaissance & modern instruments with a refreshingly cavalier attitude and plenty of humour, putting their inimitable stamp on a range of familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare. Guaranteed to be a Christmas party to remember!

‘Maddy’s voice is clear as a bell. It actually sounds as if there’s a celebration going on’ – The Guardian Tickets: £16, £18 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 65

Opera House Wednesday 12 December 2012 to Tuesday 1 January 2013

Wed 12 Dec Thurs 13 Dec

1pm & 6.30pm

Channel Theatre Productions & Buxton Opera House present The Annual Buxton Family Pantomime

Fri 14 Dec

1pm & 7pm

Sat 15 Dec

2.30pm & 7pm

Sun 16 Dec

No performances

Mon 17 Dec

1pm

PETER PAN If you believe in good, old-fashioned pantomime with a sprinkling of fairy dust, then don’t miss this year’s fabulous flying production! Join Wendy, John and Michael on a magical journey as they meet the Lost Boys, the mermaids of the Blue Lagoon and proud Red Indian princess, Tiger Lily. Last but not least is the dastardly pirate, Captain Hook, played by Louis Emerick (Mick Johnson from Brookside and PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine) and his lovable sidekick, Smee, played by Glen Davies (Mr Prank from Bear Behaving Badly). As always with Buxton’s traditional panto, there are lots of favourite songs & stunning dance routines to enjoy. There’s plenty of comedy, too, as Hook’s daft pirate crew try to outwit the unstoppable Peter Pan. The croc’s ticking…call the Box Office now!

Tickets: £15.50, £17.50, £19.50 Discounts: Senior Citizens/Disabled/JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: £1.75 off Children’s Groups of 10 or more: £9 (1 adult free per 10 children).

Adult Groups of 10 or more: £15.50 Children 2 or under: £2.50 (on parent’s knee).

Babies under 12 months: Free (on parent’s knee).

Matcham Card/Buxton Breaks (see p83): ½ price (all shows up to 20 Dec, not Sat 15), £2.25 off all other performances.

Standby Tickets: £5 (see p84)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 66

1pm

Tues 18 Dec

10am & 2pm

Wed 19 Dec

1pm & 6.30pm

Thurs 20 Dec

1pm & 6.30pm

Fri 21 Dec

2pm & 7pm

Sat 22 Dec

2.30pm & 7pm

Sun 23 Dec

1.30pm

Mon 24 Dec

2pm

Tues 25 Dec

No performances

Wed 26 Dec

2pm & 6.30pm

Thurs 27 Dec

2.30pm & 7pm

Fri 28 Dec

2pm & 6.30pm

Sat 29 Dec

2.30pm & 7pm

Sun 30 Dec

2pm & 6.30pm

Mon 31 Dec

1pm

Tues 1 Jan

2pm

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 67

Opera House Monday 17 December 7.30pm

Opera House Saturday 5 January 7.30pm

GERVASE PHINN

THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE

- A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS Gervase Phinn has been delighting audiences for more years than he can recall, with his tales of life as a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. Spend a heartwarming evening with one of Britain’s greatest comic writers and performers, and share with him hilarious and sometimes poignant stories, anecdotes, poems and readings around the theme of Christmas.

'A worthy successor to James Herriott, and every bit as endearing' – Alan Titchmarsh Tickets: £15, £17 No discounts

Back in Buxton for third time, after two hugely popular previous visits, The Bon Jovi Experience is an outstanding tribute to Bon Jovi – the only one in the world to have actually played and shared a stage with Jon Bon Jovi himself!

Opera House Sunday 23 December 7.30pm

THE VERY BEST OF BRASS & COMEDY WITH THE BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK BAND AND NORMAN PRINCE The Opera House is pleased to welcome back one of the most popular shows in its seasonal calendar. One of the best public subscription bands in the world, the award-winning Brighouse & Rastrick Band, combine their considerable talents with exHoughton Weavers frontman Norman Prince to present a night of feel-good entertainment. With a million-selling chart hit (The Floral Dance) and a hugely successful TV series (Sit Thi Deawn) respectively under their belts, these two top acts certainly know how to put on a show. Expect music, laughter and good times all round.

Tickets: £16.50, £18.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Pavilion Arts Centre Sunday 23 December 7.30pm

Faithfully recreating Bon Jovi live in concert, The Bon Jovi Experience performs all the great hits: Livin’ On a Prayer, Keep the Faith, Bad Medicine, You Give Love a Bad Name, and many, many more. An absolute must for all JBJ fans!

CHRISTMAS CROONERS

Tickets: £16.50, £18.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Returning to Buxton after 2011’s popular debut, this time with a brand new show, Christmas Crooners features many of the Christmas favourites of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. A fantastic cast of West End singers, backed by the superb Jazz All-Stars, perform over 30 well-known festive hits including The Christmas Song, Little Drummer Boy and White Christmas, along with swing arrangements of popular carols and songs including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Deck the Halls and Silent Night, plus many more festive favourites.

Staged in the style of Andy Williams’ legendary Christmas shows, this production comes complete with Christmas trees, rocking chairs and, of course, a lovely warm fireplace – just right for roasting those chestnuts! – as The Crooners guarantee an evening of witty banter and swinging Christmas cheer.

Tickets: £15, £17 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.50 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 68

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 69

Opera House Monday 31 December 9.30pm The British Philhamonic Concert Orchestra presents Opera House Thursday 10 January 7.30pm

A NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA CONCERT Our New Year’s Eve Gala – a massive hit in its first year, on 31 December 2011 – is back! Join us for a stunning fundraising orchestral concert in the beautiful surroundings of Frank Matcham’s theatre to ring in the New Year. In aid of future artistic and capital work at both the Opera House and the Pavilion Arts Centre.

Join us and the 44-piece British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra for a fantastic evening, full of vocal and orchestral favourites. With compere Mark Langley and a quartet of top-class British opera singers, the evening promises many vocal & orchestral favourites from opera, ballet, film, TV and musicals – rounded off at midnight with Auld Lang Syne, a touch of Vienna and a New Year singalong for the whole audience. It’s certain to be yet another Opera House night to remember!

Tickets: £20, £25, £30, £35. No discounts.

NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA DINNER Why not make your New Year’s Eve the complete gala night out? Join us for a 3-course pre-concert dinner at 7.15pm in the magnificent Octagon in the Pavilion Gardens complex, behind the Opera House? Enjoy wonderful food and great company, then take the short stroll down the Promenade to the Opera House for the concert – the perfect way to end the old year and ring in the new!

Dinner: £37.50 70

Scene Productions in association with Redbridge Drama Centre present

DR FAUSTUS Opera House Sunday 6 January 7.30pm

PAUL CARRACK One of the most popular annual visitors to the Opera House, legendary Sheffield-born singer, songwriter and former vocalist with Ace, Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics, Paul Carrack is back once again. With a back catalogue of hits including How Long, Tempted and The Living Years, Paul’s marvellously soulful voice has earned him a legion of devoted fans who know all too well that a Paul Carrack show is always something very special.

‘Besides being one of the UK’s most underrated songwriters, Paul Carrack is also a gifted one-man-band in the mould of McCartney and Todd Rundgren’ – The Independent Tickets: £25.50, £27.50 No discounts

Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and unlimited power, Dr Faustus makes a pact with the devil and in turn relinquishes his soul in this early milestone of English drama, written by Christopher Marlowe in the late 16th century. Scene Productions take this classic story of damnation and present it as a deliciously dark and terrifically twisted fairytale. Using stunning puppetry, live illusion and trickery, avenging angels and dastardly demons are brought to life as three performers conjure a fantastical world of magic, mischief and the macabre. We all want what we can’t have. What would YOU sell your soul for? A cautionary tale indeed…

SCHOOLS WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE: Contact participation@boh.org.uk or 01298 72050 Free after-show Q&A with the company in the Stalls.

Tickets: £13 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 71

Opera House Friday 11 January 7.30pm

Opera House Wednesday 16 January 7.30pm

THE BURLESQUE SHOW 2013

Theatre Tours International presents

ANIMAL FARM

Welcome to a stunning night of sophisticated tease, wonderful comedy, magic and music featuring the UK’s finest artistes of the genre. Beautiful choreography, hilarious routines, classic comedy and daring magic combine to deliver one of the most highly regarded productions of its kind in the UK. These award-winning performances will delight and excite – and they guarantee to refresh parts you never even knew you had! For a truly delicious night of tassels, tease and titillation, join us for our fun-filled evening of burlesque!

May contain nudity. Over 16s only.

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Sunday 13 January 7.30pm Opera House Saturday 12 January 7.30pm

THE MAGIC OF THE BEATLES - THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY TOUR Celebrating the 50th anniversary of their very first hit – Love Me Do – join us for the authoritative Beatles tribute concert. Love Me Do launched John, Paul, George & Ringo’s chart-topping career, announcing the arrival of the band that was to become the biggest-selling in the world.

The Magic of the Beatles superbly recreates their legendary live performances, and more. Taking you from their Mop Top roots to the psychedelia of Sgt Pepper and beyond, from Love Me Do to Let It Be, and everything in between.

Fantastic costumes, brilliant vocals and incredible musicianship Come Together in a lavish Magical Musical Tour back to Yesterday.

Love Me Do was the genesis of the greatest band in the world. Fifty years on, this fantastic show ensures the Fab Four’s incredible legacy lives on…live and in concert.

Tickets: £17, £19 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

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A VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA Now in its 9th year, The Viennese Strauss Gala is back by popular demand, with a sparkling new production of this ever-popular show. Recreating the romance of the Viennese festive season and reminding you of a bygone age of glamorous soirées and Strauss waltzes, the show features highlights from some of the great operettas of the Strauss family, Kalman and Lehar, including Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow and many more.

Seventeen years after its world premiere, Guy Masterson's magnificent solo adaptation and performance of George Orwell's classic satire is on its final UK tour. Using nothing but a bale of hay, some amazing sound effects and brilliant physical and vocal dexterity, Masterson ignites this famous yarn, bringing a modern sinister relevance to Orwell's masterwork, leaving an indelible imprint in the consciousness. Hilariously comic and terribly poignant in turn, Masterson's breathtaking physical storytelling creates the entire farmyard around you in 2 hours of utterly compelling theatre. Now officially the most-performed solo show in the world, this is a must-see performance for all ages – and your last chance ever to see it on tour.

‘A brilliant adaptation which delights with its physical grace and artistry. It's complex and entirely theatrical; a combination of bravura acting and poetic storytelling!’

– The Scotsman Tickets: £15 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

The European Orchestral Ensemble will accompany four soloists from major opera companies, including Opera North, English National Opera and D’Oyly Carte, through a mouthwatering selection of arias and songs, solos, duets and ensembles. This wonderful production is cleverly staged and choreographed, and authentically costumed, and will appeal to the romantic and the music aficionado alike. Don’t miss this New Year taste of old Vienna!

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 73

Opera House Sunday 20 January 7.30pm Co-Opera Co presents

Opera House Wednesday 23 January 7.30pm

Opera House Monday 28 January 1pm & 6pm

Opera House Tuesday 29 January 7.30pm

LipService presents

New Perspectives Theatre Company presents

JIMMY CARR

HANSEL & GRETEL

FARM BOY

One of the world’s best-loved tales comes to stunning life in one of the world’s best-loved operas. From witches and fairies to ovens and broomsticks, all the celebrated elements are here, together with an incredible score full of unforgettable tunes.

Michael Morpurgo’s compelling sequel to the award-winning War Horse is a moving account of the changing face of the English countryside, adapted for the stage by Daniel Buckroyd.

It sometimes felt as though time had stood still on the family farm – swallows nesting in the eaves, the old tractor quietly rusting in the barn, Grandpa tending his chickens – that is, until the summer his grandson came to stay, and the old man started telling stories of what it had been like on the farm when he was a boy.

Written by Humperdinck in 1892 and performed by the company who brought The Magic Flute to Buxton in January 2012, Hansel & Gretel has been a favourite with both adults and children for over a century. This version combines startling visual effects and dramatic singing, bringing to life all the danger, delight and magic of this dearly loved opera.

Following critically-acclaimed runs at both the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe & New York’s 2011 Brits Off Broadway Festival, plus a hugely successful UK tour, this magical tale of the bonds linking grandfather to grandson, and both to the land, has once more been brought to life by New Perspectives in their delightful production, combining drama, storytelling & original music.

Sung in English & accompanied by the Co-Opera Co Orchestra.

Tickets: £19, £22, £25 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

INSPECTOR NORSE

For children aged 7+ and their families.

- GAGGING ORDER Brand new show, brand new jokes, same old Jimmy. Gagging Order promises to be a hilarious night out. Let's see, shall we? The show will be packed with oneliners, stories & jokes. Some clever, some rude & a few totally unacceptable.

Everybody’s welcome. Just leave your conscience, sense of common decency & moral compass at home & come on out for a laugh. Jimmy has sold over a million DVDs & hosted countless TV shows but live comedy is what he does best – come and see for yourself.

Tickets: £25 No discounts

‘Absorbing and tender...Farm Boy revels in the power of a tale well told’ – Time Out

(OR THE GIRL WITH TWO SCREWS LEFT OVER) A Swedish self-assembly crime thriller It is bitter mid-winter. Ex-pop-star recluse Freya looks out of her log cabin at a rural winter scene. She smiles and turns back to her meatballs. But who is the stranger, Nordic walking across the frozen wastes? In a fur hat. With a chisel. Days later a man is found dead in a barn nearby with a bizarre message carved on his forehead. Enter Inspector Sandra Larsson in her authentic, rustic knitwear. With her own personal life unravelling before our eyes, it is up to her to follow the pattern of a mystery with many holes. Multi-award winning comedy duo LipService (Maggie Fox & Sue Ryding) weave a web of mystery that will leave your nerves jangling but also have you rolling in the aisles!

CALLOUT TO LOCAL KNITTING GROUPS: our set is partially knitted & we would like your knitting to decorate it! Please email info@lip-service.net to get involved!

‘Complicated, particularly the cable stitch’ – Vasterbotten Herald Tickets: £13, £15 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £1.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5 PlayLink (see p83)

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Tickets: Adults £11.50, Children £9.50 Family tickets: £38 (4 people incl at least 2 children) or £28.50 (3 people incl at least 1 child).

School & children’s groups of 10 or more: £8.50 (1 adult free per 10 children)

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 75

Opera House Wednesday 30 January 7.30pm Before reality TV and its illusion of instant stardom, people made it to the top through talent & hard work.

Ella was one such girl. She arrived on Broadway scared but determined, and worked her way to the top. But her single-mindedness cost her the love of her life, and left her ill-prepared for the true cost of success. Ella experiences adulation, then rejection, as she goes from show to show, eventually rediscovering her one true love.

Tickets: £17, £19 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £1.75 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.25 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Opera House Thursday 31 January 7.30pm Hugely popular on his first visit to Buxton in 2012, Amir Sharma’s portrayal of Michael Jackson in his prime has to be the most vocally and visually accurate tribute to the King of Pop to have ever toured UK theatres. Amir is joined on the stage by a cast of musicians, singers and dancers who work their way through all the hits. He’s got the look, the moonwalk and above all, the voice!

His renditions of Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean and all the MJ classics are truly sensational!

Back To Broadway is a unique musical show featuring eight of the country’s finest singers & dancers, and includes songs from Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing, Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Footloose and many more. Prepare to be transported into the magical world of musical theatre, set against the backdrop of New York’s Times Square. This show offers the best of Broadway and the West End, with dazzling costumes, spectacular lighting and captivating performances, all linked by the beautiful story of one girl’s journey to stardom.

Opera House Friday 1 February 7.30pm Saturday 2 February 2.30pm & 7.30pm Sunday 3 February 2.30pm

CHINESE STATE CIRCUS - YIN YANG Two thousand years of tradition explode on stage in a spectacular 2-hour extravaganza featuring 30 Chinese artistes – remarkable acrobats, martial artists, live musicians & many more. There’s a remarkable display of human juggling, the legendary ‘Bicycle Act’, the superb swinging poles, the sensational contortionist and the dynamic acrobatic hoop divers, as well as the first UK appearance of the formidable Shaolin Master known only as ‘The One’ in this daring, breathtaking and thrilling family show.

Sensational act flows into sensational act without narrative and accompanied by a captivating and atmospheric all-girl group of live musicians. Suitable for an audience of all ages, with evocative sets, a soaring musical score and extravagant new costumes, this will entertain the entire family long after the final curtain falls!

‘The most exhilarating circus it has ever been my privilege to see’ – London Evening Standard Tickets: £20, £23, £26 (eves), £18, £21, £24 (mats) Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £3 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: £10 off (not Dress Circle – top 2 prices only).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £3.50 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

Tickets: £17, £19 No discounts

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 76

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 77

Opera House Saturday 9 February 7.30pm

MARIA FRIEDMAN West End leading lady Maria Friedman brings her award-winning concert to Buxton Opera House, accompanied at the piano by her musical director Jason Carr.

Maria Friedman created and performed leading parts in the musicals Passion, The Woman in White (both West End & Broadway), Chicago, Ragtime, The Witches of Eastwick and Sunday in the Park with George, among many others. She has been awarded three Olivier Awards and received an amazing seven nominations! She can be heard on various original cast albums, and has recorded seven solo CDs (including her latest, The Great British Songbook).

Theatre concerts include sell-outs in New York, and at London’s Barbican, Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall. Now this true giant of musical theatre comes to the Opera House, with a show which will include songs from her Great British Songbook album, plus a splash of Sondheim.

Opera House Friday 8 February 7.30pm Opera House Wednesday 6 February 7.30pm

MILTON JONES - ON THE ROAD Milton Jones is back on the road with another tour, this time imaginatively entitled On The Road. If you like the stuff he’s done on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo or in any of the nine series he’s done for Radio 4, then this is the show for you. Hundreds of his celebrated one-liners, plus some of his own ridiculous drawings. Clever, surreal, but mainly just stupid, stupid, stupid. (He’s won awards you know...)

Plus support.

‘He’s fast, absurd & very funny’ – Radio Times Tickets: £20 No discounts

THE MEAT LOAF STORY Steve Steinman returns with his epic adventure delivering the best of the best from Meat Loaf’s incredible catalogue of albums.

Known the world over for this show, and for his performance in the hit show Vampires Rock, Steve has a fan base most rock stars would be proud of. Discarding the pretence of wigs and makeup, Steve lets his voice do the talking.

With its video-projected scenes, incredible stage set, superb band and Steve Steinman’s powerful vocals, unique sense of humour and stage presence, the show will have you rocking and singing to all the greatest Meat Loaf hits – Paradise By The Dashboard Light, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Dead Ringer For Love and Bat Out Of Hell – to name just a few!

Tickets: £21.50, £23.50 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students/Children: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

‘The greatest show singer of her generation’ – International Herald Tribune Tickets: £19, £21 No discounts

Opera House Wednesday 13 February 7.30pm

THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS 17 years after its conception at the 1995 Glastonbury Festival, The Circus of Horrors has gone on to tour the world, achieving cult status and dragging circus screaming and shouting into the 21st century and beyond.

Their latest sensational show, which stormed into the finals of last year’s Britain's Got Talent on ITV, is packed with new shocks that will take you on a whirlwind journey like a bat out of hell!

The new phantasmagoria twists and turns, featuring fangtastic, daredevil and bizarre circus acts from all four corners of the world that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat – when not falling off them with laughter!

May contain nudity, strong language & adult content.

Over 16s only.

‘Bloody good fun – Barnum would be proud’ – Time Out Tickets: £19, £22, £25 Discounts: Groups of 8 or more/Senior Citizens/Disabled: £2.25 off (not Dress Circle).

JSA/Income Support/Students: ½ price (not Dress Circle).

Matcham Cards/Buxton Breaks (see p83): £2.75 off Standby Tickets (see p84): £5

BOX OFFICE 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 78

www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 79

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE IS A MEMBER OF

GIANT CASH BONANZA

CINEMA

The John Godber Company & Theatre Royal Wakefield present

RECITALS

Opera House Thursday 14 February 7.30pm

ARTS

ARTS

CENTRE

CENTRE

Giant Cash Bonanza 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.

This funny & touching play charts the 60-year marriage of Jack & Liz through good times & bad. Set in a West Yorkshire mining village, and inspired by Godber’s own grandparents, it highlights the lives of working miners and the legacies many of them were left with after leaving the pits.

‘A richly comic love story’ – The Guardian Tickets: £14 (Discounts available)

Opera House Friday 15 February 7.30pm

JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH - OUT OF OUR SHEDS John Shuttleworth (‘A national institution’ – Sunday Telegraph) is back on the road after a ‘longish’ absence. The Sony & Perrier-nominated keyboard superstar (Radio 4's The Shuttleworths & TV’s 500 Bus Stops) ventures beyond the garden gate into the mean streets of Britain.

Which is better: city life or country living?

Supermarket or village shop? Or is it better to sit in your shed and count the cobwebs?

Tickets: £15, £17 (Discounts available)

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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

Pavilion Arts Centre 1pm to 2pm More Friday Lunchtime Recitals by prize-winning students from Manchester’s internationally-renowned conservatoire, the Royal Northern College of Music.

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (15) Michelle Williams is unforgettable as Marilyn Monroe in this drama about the making of The Prince & The Showgirl, with Kenneth Branagh as Olivier.

EMILIE CAPULET (PIANO)

Sunday 16 September

Works by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy & Ravel

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (12A)

Friday 5 October

TRIO D’ANCHES

A group of English pensioners travel to an Indian retirement hotel, in this comedy drama starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton & Celia Imrie.

Clarinet, oboe & bassoon.

Works by Milhaud, Ibert & Mozart

Friday 28 September

Friday 2 November

ALL FOR JUST £2 PER WEEK If you would like to be part of the Buxton Opera House lottery and support the future of the Opera House, call the theatre on 01298 72050.

Friday 14 December

Lotteries promoted under 2005 Gambling Act and subsequent amendments. The Giant Cash Bonanza Society is registered with Kirklees Council Reg SL0192.

Minimum age of participation is 16 years.

Sunday 9 September

Friday 7 September

MONTHLY DRAW TO WIN ONE OF EIGHT PAIRS OF TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE AT THE OPERA HOUSE (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY)

If you’re already a member, then…

Thank You & Good Luck!

Pavilion Arts Centre 7.30pm

THE MISTRAL DUO Helen Wilson (flute) & Elfair Dyer (harp).

Works by Piazzolla, Andy Scott & Schubert

SOLEM STRING QUARTET

CORIOLANUS (15) Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in this adaptation of Shakespeare’s drama about a general betrayed by his own people, set against the brutal backdrop of the Balkan War.

Sunday 7 October

J EDGAR (15)

Works by Beethoven & Haydn

Leonardo di Caprio stars in this biopic of the powerful head of the FBI, directed by Clint Eastwood.

Friday 11 January

Sunday 28 October

LEKKER QUINTET

THE WOMAN IN BLACK (12A)

Wind quintet playing works by Taffanel, Hindemith & Barber Tickets: £6 (No discounts)

Daniel Radcliffe plays a bereaved young solicitor in the adaptation of Susan Hill’s ghost story.

Thursday 20 December

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN (12A) Ewen McGregor & Emily Blunt star in this adaptation of Paul Torday’s bestselling novel.

Tickets: £4 (Discounts: 50p off)

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CENTRE

BUZZ

JAZZ

ARTS

ARTS

CENTRE

Pavilion Arts Centre 8pm

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

Sunday lunchtime Jazz concerts from the cream of the Manchester and North West jazz scene, from trad to contemporary.

Friday 7 September

Sunday 2 September

THE MIKE FARMER JAZZTET A sextet playing classic tunes from the modern jazz repertoire.

Sunday 7 October

MART RODGER MANCHESTER JAZZ A return visit from the popular 7-piece line-up & their Trad & Dixieland favourites.

Sunday 4 November

THE WHITE EAGLES JAZZ BAND Traditional sextet playing Dixieland jazz in the timehonoured New Orleans way!

Sunday 2 December

ANDY POWELL & ROSIE PLUMMER Classic swing numbers, plus a touch of soul…Sinatra, Darin, Buble, Nat King Cole.

Sunday 6 January

THE PHIL MEADOWS GROUP London-based quintet with a passion for improv & groove, playing original compositions by Phil Meadows himself.

Tickets: £5 (No discounts) 82

BUXTON BUZZ COMEDY CLUB

Pavilion Arts Centre 1pm to 2pm Lunches available in the Arts Centre bar from 12.30pm

SEAN PERCIVAL, DAN BLAND, CHRIS ROCHE COMPERE: GARETH UNWIN Friday 5 October

booking information

PLAYLINK There’s a mouth-watering selection of drama on offer at Buxton Opera House & the Pavilion Arts Centre. So don’t stop at one serving – get greedy and help yourself to the lot!

From powerful thrillers and favourite classics to hilarious comedies and contemporary tales, you can keep your senses – and your wallet! – fat with PlayLink.

Book for any 3 plays at once and get your ticket(s) for the third (in date order) for just £5 each!

MATCHAM

MATCHAM CARD

CARD

Become a Matcham Card holder and get some great benefits. Your Card entitles you to: • Half price tickets on first nights for some shows • Discounts on most shows (not available online) • Mailing list membership and priority mailing • Monthly e-newsletter with details of the latest new shows on sale • Reservations held without payment until one week before a performance (2 weeks for very busy or sold out perfs)

JOHN WARBURTON, ADAM VINCENT, PETER BRUSH COMPERE: KATIE MULGREW

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

Friday 2 November

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

TUDUR OWEN, JONNY AWSUM, CARL JONES COMPERE: SAM HARLAND Friday 14 December

BILL WOOLLAND, RAY KANE, RICK KIESEWETTER COMPERE: RYAN GLEESON Friday 11 January

WES ZAHARUK,TREVOR ORGAN, ADAM RUSHTON COMPERE: JAMES COOK Tickets: £6 (No discounts) Shows may contain strong language & adult material.

Individual Membership – £18 One discounted ticket per show

BUXTON BREAKS

O Buxton Breaks

Get a discount (not available online) off your tickets for most shows when you book your overnight stay at any holiday accomodation in the Buxton area.

A list of hotels and guest houses is available from Buxton Tourist Information Centre on 01298 25106 or on-line at www.visitpeakdistrict.com Please note: You will be asked for some form of ID confirming your overnight stay when collecting your Buxton Breaks tickets (eg: booking form, hotel compliments slip or room key).

BOOK BY PHONE OR IN PERSON Call 0845 127 2190 (Local rate from anywhere in the UK) or 01298 72190. 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday or until 6pm when there is no performance. Sunday: 4pm to 8pm if there is an evening performance. Hours can vary according to performance times. Most major debit/credit cards are accepted (no booking fee charged). We also accept National Theatre Tokens. For events after 1 January 2013: all ticket prices shown in this brochure include a £1 Booking Fee (50p for tickets under £10) which goes towards the cost of operating and maintaining the Opera House & Arts Centre. There is no Booking Fee for workshops or other participatory activities.

DISABLED CUSTOMERS & COMPANIONS Registered Disabled customers receive discounts to many performances, as indicated on each page. Essential companions who are Registered Carers or who are in receipt of Carers’ Allowance are admitted free (proof of eligibility will be required). Companions outside these categories receive a 50% discount (when discounts are available on that performance).

SCHOOL & GROUP DISCOUNTS

Special discounts are usually available for groups and schools. In addition to our standard rate for groups of 8 or more (available on most shows), we are also usually able to offer more generous BOOKINGS AT THE discounts for groups of 20 or more (or PAVILION ARTS CENTRE 10+ for schools). For many shows, Bookings for the Arts Centre can be made teachers accompanying school or student at the Opera House Box Office until one groups are free – ask at the Box Office. hour before each Arts Centre performance, To join our free groups mailing list call us and then either on the door (for the Studio on 01298 72050 or email: – cash only) or at the Arts Centre Box Office marketingassistant@boh.org.uk. (only for the Main Room – use the St John’s CHILDREN IN THE THEATRE Rd entrance) after that.

Children are welcome at the Opera BOOK ONLINE House & Pavilion Arts Centre, but please Online booking is available 24 hours a day note the following: at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk. Some • Children under the age of 12 should discounts, including group bookings and be accompanied by an adult.

Matcham discounts, may not be available • School or children’s groups of 10 or online. Please note that for online bookings more should be accompanied by at there is a small (non-refundable in the least one adult per 10 children. event of cancellation) internet fee per • Children under the age of 3 ticket. (& Babies 12 months or under) can only be admitted at family shows DISCOUNTS where the £2.50 discounted price Discounted prices apply (unless stated (or ‘Babies Free’ offer) is otherwise) to Senior Citizens, groups of 8 indicated, & not to any other shows. or more adults, JSA claimants, people in • A safety leaflet is produced for all receipt of Income Support (including families using the balconies or boxes Pensions Credit), disabled people, full-time in the Opera House; please ask when students (aged 16 & over) and children booking. For safety reasons, Upper aged 3 to 15. Please be prepared to provide Circle side seats & boxes are not sold proof of status. Only one discount can to families with children under the apply per ticket. age of 10.

RELOCATION OF SHOWS Very occasionally, we may have to relocate a show from the Opera House to the Arts Centre or from the Arts Centre main auditorium to the studio (or vice versa in each case). Tickets originally purchased as numbered may become unallocated, in which case we regret we cannot refund.

DANCING If you book to see a show in the Opera House and wish to dance, please ensure you book seats in the Stalls as we do not allow dancing on the upper levels. The Upper Circle sides and boxes are ‘no standing at all’ areas.

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STANDBY TICKETS Limited numbers of £5 Standby Tickets are available for most performances (see each entry in this brochure to be sure) from one hour before the performance (not Opera House Dress Circle seats) to Full-time Students (aged 16 & over) and people in receipt of JSA/Income Support. Proof of status is required.

TICKET EXCHANGE If you are unable to attend a performance for any reason, we will exchange your tickets for another performance (if any) of the same event subject to availability. (We cannot transfer tickets or money to an alternative show). We can offer this service provided that your tickets are returned to the Box Office at least 48 hours before the performance. Tickets will not be refunded unless the performance is cancelled.

Postage charges are nonrefundable in the event of cancellation.

RESERVATIONS Reservations will be held for a maximum of seven working days. On the day of a performance reservations are held until 30 minutes before the start of a show. For very busy shows, tickets booked within 7 days of the performance must be paid for at the time of booking.

PERSONAL DATA Please note that personal information (such as name, address, phone number, email address, etc) given to our Box Office during a ticket transaction is held securely and confidentially, and we may use it to contact you by post, phone or e-mail for marketing purposes. If you would prefer not to receive information regarding future events, please let us know.

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general information ACCESS

THEATRE TOURS & COFFEE MORNINGS

The Opera House is an Edwardian building and only partially accessible to wheelchair users. The wheelchair entrance is 72cms at its narrowest point. We have four wheelchair spaces in the Stalls (ground floor level) and a specially adapted toilet.

Unfortunately the Stalls bar is not wheelchair accessible, but a member of staff will gladly bring refreshments to your seat.

The Fundraising Friends of Buxton Opera House hold public coffee mornings at the Opera House between 10am and 12 noon, and tours (£2.50 per person) of the theatre at 11am, most Saturdays. Private group tours can also be arranged (£5 per person). Contact 01298 72050 for details.

The Opera House Foyer and Box Office counter are not wheelchair accessible, but there is now wheelchair access to the side Box Office door (in Water St), with an intercom system to alert staff. The Dress Circle and Upper Circle levels are not wheelchair accessible and can only be reached by climbing the stairs. The building is not accessible by motorised scooter.

All parts of the Pavilion Arts Centre (and both St John’s Rd entrances) are accessible by wheelchair, apart from the Main Room balcony.

In both venues, safety considerations mean that, if you would have difficulty making your own way out of the building in an emergency, we strongly request that you bring a companion. See p83 for details of companions’ tickets.

We have passive infra-red (PIR) systems in both the Opera House & Arts Centre for people with hearing impairments. This works through a special headset (rather than your hearing aid), which is available from the theatre – please reserve one when you book your tickets (a £10 cash deposit is required on the night). There is also an induction loop system at both Box Offices.

Audio & braille copies of each Opera House/Arts Centre brochure are available. To request a copy contact the Marketing Department on 01298 72050. Guide dogs are welcome.

REFRESHMENTS Pre-show and interval drinks are available in the Opera House & Arts Centre bars. The bars are open from approximately 45 minutes prior to each performance. Don’t forget to order interval drinks in advance. Please note both venues are no smoking buildings.

LATECOMERS will only be admitted at a suitable break in the performance, which will be at the discretion of the performers or management.

WILLOUGHBY LUNCHEON CLUB The Willoughby Club raises funds for the Opera House by organising lunches at The Lee Wood Hotel, Buxton, on the last Thursday of each month, from March to November. Contact 01298 813464 for details.

GETTING TO THE OPERA HOUSE & PAVILION ARTS CENTRE

BY CAR Buxton is easy to reach via the A6, A515 and A53.

The theatre is well sign-posted once you reach the town centre.

DIARY August Saturday 11

Chapterhouse Theatre Company: The Importance of Being Earnest (Pavilion Gardens)

Sunday 12

Chapterhouse Theatre Company: The Importance of Being Earnest (Pavilion Gardens)

Sunday 19

Barbara Dickson

6pm 6pm 7.30pm

Wednesday 22 Present Company: Me & My Girl

7.30pm

Thursday 23

Present Company: Me & My Girl

7.30pm

Friday 24

Present Company: Me & My Girl

7.30pm

Saturday 25

Present Company: Me & My Girl

2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 26

Rockin’ on Heaven’s Door

Monday 27

Milkshake Live!

Monday 27

7.30pm 2pm

Barry Cryer – Butterfly Brain

7.30pm

Wednesday 29 The Johnny Cash Roadshow

7.30pm

Thursday 30

David Wilder Productions: Bugle Boy

7.30pm

Friday 31

David Wilder Productions: Bugle Boy

7.30pm

September Saturday 1

David Wilder Productions: Bugle Boy

BY RAIL

Sunday 2

Jazz at the Arts Centre: Mike Farmer Jazztet

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

Sunday 2

Elkie Brooks

7.30pm

Monday 3

Quantum Theatre: The Tales of Peter Rabbit

2.30pm

Wednesday 5

Tenors UnLimited – The Rat Pack of Opera

7.30pm

PARKING

Thursday 6

Ian Dickens Productions: You’re Only Young Twice

7.30pm

There is free parking after 6pm in the car park at the rear of the Pavilion Gardens, a short walk away from both venues, or in some streets close to the theatre which are not covered by the Residents Parking Scheme.

Friday 7

Recitals at the Arts Centre: Emilie Capulet

Friday 7

Ian Dickens Productions: You’re Only Young Twice

CUSTOMER SERVICE If you have any queries, complaints or comments, the theatre has a clear policy on how such matters are handled and you should in the first instance write, please, to the Chief Executive at: Opera House, Water Street, Buxton, SK17 6XN. A copy of the theatre’s Comments & Complaints Policy is available on request.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

To find out more, contact our House Manager on 01298 72050, (email: housemanager@boh.org.uk) or write to her at Opera House, Water Street, Buxton, SK17 6XN.

1pm

1pm 7.30pm

Friday 7

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

Saturday 8

Ian Dickens Productions: You’re Only Young Twice

Sunday 9

Think Floyd

7.30pm

Sunday 9

Film: My Week With Marilyn (15)

7.30pm

Tuesday 11

Sandi Toksvig – My Valentine

7.30pm

Friday 14

Blonde – The Life & Times of Marilyn Monroe

7.30pm

Friday 14

Hyde Festival Theatre: Death & The Maiden

7.30pm

Saturday 15

Blonde – The Life & Times of Marilyn Monroe

Saturday 15

Hyde Festival Theatre: Death & The Maiden

Sunday 16

Big Wooden Horse: Stuck

If you would like to make new friends, learn new skills and contribute to the life of this wonderful theatre why not join Buxton Opera House & the Pavilion Arts Centre as a volunteer?

Volunteers assist with a range of tasks including selling programmes and ice creams, serving drinks at the bar and showing people to their seats. We need volunteers for both daytime & evening performances, during the week or at the weekend. An induction process is provided and on-going training is offered to volunteer staff.

2.30pm & 7.30pm

Buxton Opera House Pavilion Arts Centre

8pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm

2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 2pm

Sunday 16

Fodens Band

7.30pm

Sunday 16

Film: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (12A)

7.30pm

Tuesday 18

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra

7.30pm

Wednesday 19

Spiers & Boden

7.30pm

Thursday 20

Hull Truck Theatre Company: Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

7.30pm

Friday 21

Hull Truck Theatre Company: Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

7.30pm

Saturday 22

Hull Truck Theatre Company: Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

2.30pm & 7.30pm

Saturday 22

Danny Bhoy – Dear Epson

Sunday 23

Clare Teal

7.30pm

Sunday 23

Craig Ogden

7.30pm

7.30pm

Monday 24

Theatrical Niche: Proof

7.30pm

Tuesday 25

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

7.30pm

Wednesday 26 The Faction Theatre Company: Mary Stuart

7.30pm

Thursday 27

Decadance

7.30pm

Friday 28

Levellers Acoustic

7.30pm

Friday 28

Film: Coriolanus (15)

7.30pm

Friday 28

ARK Theatre: Something Beginning With (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Saturday 29

How Lion Became King of Tinga Tinga Land

Saturday 29

Paul Chowdhry – What’s Happening White People?

7.30pm

Saturday 29

ARK Theatre: Something Beginning With (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Saturday 29

Kathryn Tickell – Northumbrian Voices

Sunday 30

Mid Wales Opera: Don Giovanni

2pm

8pm 7.30pm

October Monday 1

Off The Ball

7.30pm

Tuesday 2

Sixties Gold

7.30pm

Wednesday 3

Creative Cow: The Rivals

7.30pm

Thursday 4

The John Godber Company: Lost & Found

7.30pm

Friday 5

Recitals at the Arts Centre: Trio d’Anches

Friday 5

The John Godber Company: Lost & Found

7.30pm

Friday 5

Planet Rabbit Productions: A Little In Tents (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Friday 5

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

Saturday 6

The John Godber Company: Lost & Found

Saturday 6

Adam Hills – Mess Around

7.30pm

Saturday 6

Planet Rabbit Productions: A Little In Tents (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Sunday 7

Jazz at the Arts Centre: Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz

Sunday 7

Film: J Edgar (15)

7.30pm

Sunday 7

Tideswell Male Voice Choir & The Military Wives Choir

7.30pm

Monday 8

Born in the USA

7.30pm

Tuesday 9

Marcus Brigstocke – The Brig Society

7.30pm

Wednesday 10

Vampires Rock

7.30pm

1pm

8pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm

1pm

Thursday 11

Show of Hands

7.30pm

Friday 12

Hairy Bikers – Larger Than Live

7.30pm

Friday 12

Breathe Out Theatre: Kafkaesque (Paupers Pit)

Saturday 13

Hairy Bikers – Larger Than Live

Saturday 13

Breathe Out Theatre: Kafkaesque (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Sunday 14

Spirit of the Dance

7.30pm

7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm

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DIARY Tuesday 16

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

7.30pm

Wednesday 17

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 18

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 18

Hazel O’Connor

Friday 19

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Friday 19

Delirious Theatre: Artist Descending A Staircase

Saturday 20

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

7.30pm

Thursday 8

Joan Armatrading

7.30pm

Friday 14

Recitals at the Arts Centre – Solem String Quartet

5pm & 8pm

Thursday 8

Focus

7.30pm

Friday 14

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

Friday 9

Blackeyed Theatre: Mother Courage & Her Children

7.30pm

Saturday 15

MiG Productions: A Kick In The Baubles

Saturday 10

Marty Wilde’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party

7.30pm

Sunday 16

Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band

7.30pm

Sunday 11

Al Murray The Pub Landlord – The Only Way Is Epic

7.30pm

Monday 17

An Evening with Gervase Phinn

7.30pm

Tuesday 13

Kings of Swing

7.30pm

Thursday 20

Film: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (12A)

7.30pm

Wednesday 14

The Demon Barbers – The Lock In!

7.30pm

Friday 21

Nunkie Theatre Company: Count Magnus

7.30pm

Wednesday 14

Hotbuckle Productions: Les Misérables

7.30pm

Saturday 22

Nunkie Theatre Company: Count Magnus

7.30pm

Friday 16

English Touring Opera: Albert Herring

7.30pm

Sunday 23

The Very Best of Brass & Comedy

7.30pm

Saturday 17

English Touring Opera: The Emperor of Atlantis

7.30pm

Sunday 23

Christmas Crooners

7.30pm

Saturday 17

Handheld Arts: Paper Tom

7.30pm

Monday 31

New Year’s Eve Gala Concert

9.30pm

Sunday 18

The Manfreds

7.30pm

Sunday 18

Hunt & Laurence: Mapp & Lucia Ahoy!

7.30pm

January

Monday 19

Calendar Girls

7.30pm

Saturday 5

The Bon Jovi Experience

7.30pm

Tuesday 20

Calendar Girls

7.30pm

Sunday 6

Jazz at the Arts Centre – The Phil Meadows Group

Wednesday 21

Calendar Girls

7.30pm

Sunday 6

Paul Carrack

7.30pm

Thursday 22

Calendar Girls

2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 10

Scene Productions: Dr Faustus

7.30pm

Friday 23

Calendar Girls

7.30pm

Friday 11

Recitals at the Arts Centre – Lekker Quintet

Friday 23

Kaleidoscope Youth Theatre: The Canterbury Tales

7.30pm

Friday 11

The Burlesque Show

Saturday 24

Calendar Girls

2.30pm & 7.30pm

Friday 11

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

Saturday 24

Kaleidoscope Youth Theatre: The Canterbury Tales

Saturday 12

Magic of the Beatles

7.30pm

Sunday 25

Ballet Theatre UK: A Christmas Carol

Sunday 13

A Viennese Strauss Gala

7.30pm

Sunday 25

Felicity Aston – Alone in Antarctica

7.30pm

Wednesday 16

Theatre Tours International: Animal Farm

7.30pm

Monday 26

Mappa Mundi: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

7.30pm

Sunday 20

Co-Opera Co: Hansel & Gretel

7.30pm

Tuesday 27

Mappa Mundi: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

7.30pm

Wednesday 23 LipService: Inspector Norse

7.30pm

Monday 28

New Perspectives Theatre Company: Farm Boy Jimmy Carr – Gagging Order

7.30pm 2pm, 5pm & 8pm

Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 October Buxton Adventure Festival (see p33) Saturday 20

Cheshire Actors Studio: The Liz & Dick Show (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Sunday 21

Cheshire Actors Studio: The Liz & Dick Show (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Monday 22

That’ll Be The Day

7.30pm

Tuesday 23

Seth Lakeman

7.30pm

Wednesday 24 Icarus Theatre Collective: Romeo & Juliet

7.30pm

Thursday 25

Rhod Gilbert

7.30pm

Friday 26

The Hallé

7.30pm

Friday 26

Buxton Drama League: Habeas Corpus

7.30pm

Saturday 27

The Drifters

Saturday 27

Buxton Drama League: Habeas Corpus

2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 28

tutti frutti: Rapunzel

1.30pm & 3.30pm

Sunday 28

Impact Opera: Carmen

7.30pm

Sunday 28

Film: The Woman in Black (12A)

7.30pm

Tuesday 30

The Dolly Parton Story

Wednesday 31

Mimika Theatre: Landscapes

Wednesday 31

Jive Talkin’

7.30pm

7.30pm 10am, 11.15am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm 7.30pm

November Thursday 1

Visible Fictions: Jason & The Argonauts

Thursday 1

The Idiot Bastard Band

6pm

7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 28 The Vagina Monologues

1pm 8pm 7.30pm

1pm

1pm 7.30pm 8pm

7.30pm 1pm & 6pm

Thursday 29

10cc

7.30pm

Tuesday 29

1pm

Friday 30

New London Opera Players: Fidelio

7.30pm

Wednesday 30 Back to Broadway

7.30pm

7.30pm

Friday 30

Kaleidoscope Intermediate Theatre: The Odyssey

7.30pm

Thursday 31

7.30pm

Friday 30

Taste Productions: Oliver – With A Twist! (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

7.30pm

Friday 2

Recitals at the Arts Centre – The Mistral Duo

Friday 2

Jack Dee

Friday 2

Buxton Buzz Comedy Club

8pm

Friday 2

4th Buxton Soul Night (Octagon)

8pm

Saturday 3

Blunderbus Theatre: The Selfish Crocodile

2pm

Saturday 3

Sir Chris Bonington

Saturday 3

Bla Bla Bla

8pm

Sunday 4

Jazz at the Arts Centre – The White Eagles Jazz Band

1pm

Sunday 4

Michael Morpurgo – War Horse: The Concert

Sunday 4

Alun Cochrane – Moments of Alun

7.30pm

Monday 5

The Original Theatre Company: Three Men In A Boat

7.30pm

Tuesday 6

Foster & Allen

7.30pm

Wednesday 7

Julian Clary – Position Vacant, Apply Within

7.30pm

Wednesday 7

Red Dog Productions: Dombey & Son

7.30pm

7.30pm

6pm

Programme details are correct at time of printing. Occasionally, changes occur which are beyond our control. Please ensure you check our website for the most up-to-date programme information.

86

Wednesday 12 December to Tuesday 1 January Peter Pan (see p66 & p67)

Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 November Buxton Festival of World Cinema (see p50)

Jackson Live in Concert

7.30pm

February Friday 1

Chinese State Circus – Yin Yang

7.30pm

2pm

Saturday 2

Chinese State Circus – Yin Yang

2.30pm & 7.30pm

8pm

Sunday 3

Chinese State Circus – Yin Yang

2.30pm

Wednesday 6

Milton Jones – On The Road

7.30pm

Friday 8

The Meat Loaf Story

7.30pm

December Saturday 1

Image Musical Theatre: Pinocchio

Saturday 1

Alan Davies – Life Is Pain

Saturday 1

Kaleidoscope Intermediate Theatre: The Odyssey

7.30pm

Saturday 1

Taste Productions: Oliver – With A Twist! (Paupers Pit)

7.30pm

Sunday 2

Jazz at the Arts Centre – Andy Powell & Rosie Plummer

Sunday 2

Jeremy Hardy

Friday 7

Kaleidoscope Junior Theatre: Keeper of the Tales

Saturday 8

Kaleidoscope Junior Theatre: Keeper of the Tales

Sunday 9

Blunderbus Theatre: A Very Snowy Christmas

2pm

Sunday 9

Rob Rouse – Life Sentences

7.30pm

Sunday 9

Christmas with Buxton Musical Society

7.30pm

Saturday 9

Maria Friedman

7.30pm

Wednesday 13

Circus of Horrors

7.30pm

7pm

Thursday 14

The John Godber Company: Happy Jack

7.30pm

3pm

Friday 15

John Shuttleworth – Out Of Our Sheds

7.30pm

1pm 7.30pm

Buxton Opera House Pavilion Arts Centre

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE & PAVILION ARTS CENTRE Thank You to our Supporters Our current business and funding partners and other supporters include:

LomasDistribution

NEW MILLS & DISTRICT VOLUNTEER BUREAU

High Peak Borough Council Arts Council England Fundraising Friends of Buxton Opera House The Willoughby Luncheon Club