New autumn season at Buxton Opera House
BUXTON Opera House has announced its new autumn season, running through to February 2010.
There are more than 250 performances including drama, dance, comedy, music, and opera.
The Opera House is also producing its third Shakespeare in the Dome presentation, Much Ado About Nothing, in the last week of October.
The Dome, based at the University of Derby (formally the Devonshire Royal Hospital) is the largest unsupported dome construction in the UK, making it a breathtaking setting for theatre in-the-round.
Tall stories cause havoc
Other drama highlights include Middle Ground’s production of Billy Liar in September, about Billy Fisher, who has a wild and wonderful imagination.
However, Billy can’t always live in his fantasy world and back in the real world his constant tall stories cause havoc.
Calibre Productions bring their stage show version of the much-loved BBC TV comedy series Porridge to the venue in February.
Dance and big band fans will be pleased to hear that Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole and West End star Ruthie Henshall will each bring their own shows to the venue in January, while young people can experience some of the best contemporary dance pieces in the country when 2010 Dance Week takes place in February.
Australian dance sensation
The venue has also attracted some big name comedians, including Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ host Simon Amstell, Australian sensation Tim Minchin, mimic Alistair McGowan, and Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon. Sandi Toksvig, Stephen K Amos, Julian Clary and Rhod Gilbert are also due to appear.
Family entertainment includes Tweenies Live, Dorothy the Dinosaur Show and a return visit from The Gruffalo. Dick Whittington is this year’s Buxton Opera House panto.
There will be star performances from Arthur Bostrom as King Rat (best known for his performance as the vowel-mangling Officer Crabtree in ‘Allo ‘Allo!), Leah Hackett (Tina Riley from Hollyoaks), and TV’s Grease is The Word finalist, Bradley Clarkson, treading the boards as Dick Whittington.
Opera includes The Marriage of Figaro and The Pearl Fishers by Mid Wales Opera along with Cosi Fan Tutte by the English Chamber Orchestra. To top off the season there’s A Night At The Proms in November.
Fundraising gala concert
The evening will be hosted by Buxton’s own Tim Brooke-Taylor and is a fundraising gala concert in aid of the new theatre The Pavilion Arts Centre, set to open in the Pavilion Gardens complex in 2010.
Call the Box Office on 0845 127 2190 for full details or to make a booking. For information about all the shows, and a 24-hour online booking service, visit link right.
Published: Thu, 06 August, 2009
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