Buxton Opera House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buxton Opera House |
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| OS grid reference | SK0562573485 |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Frank Matcham |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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The Buxton Opera House is a beautiful old theatre located in Buxton, England. It has 902 seats and is famous for hosting many exciting shows. Every year, it holds the Buxton Festival and the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. You can also see fun pantomimes at Christmas, musicals, and other live performances all year long. For a while, it was a cinema, but now it's back to being a busy live theatre!
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A Look Back: The Opera House's First Years
The Buxton Opera House was built in 1903. It was designed by Frank Matcham, a very famous architect. He also designed other well-known theatres like the London Palladium and the London Coliseum.
The very first show at the Opera House was called Mrs Willoughby’s Kiss. For many years, the theatre was a popular place for touring shows. But in 1927, it changed into a cinema. At first, it showed silent films. Then, in 1932, it was updated to show "talkies" (movies with sound!).
From 1936 to 1942, the Opera House also hosted a summer theatre festival. Many famous people have performed here. These include actor Alec Guinness and comedians like Ken Dodd and Peter Kay. Musical artists such as Howard Jones and Aled Jones have also graced its stage. Even the famous ballerina Anna Pavlova performed here!
After World War II, the building was mostly used as a cinema. In 1970, it was given a special status as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's an important historical building. However, the Opera House slowly started to get old and worn out. In 1976, it closed, and many people thought it might never open again.
Bringing the Theatre Back to Life
Luckily, in 1979, the building was restored and made new again. They even added an orchestra pit, which is a special area for musicians. Since then, the Opera House has been a busy place for live shows. It puts on about 450 performances every year! These shows include opera, dance, musicals, pantomimes, comedy, and concerts.
A small team of technical staff works behind the scenes. They set up all the shows and help the artists. Many local volunteers also help out. They work in the front of the theatre, helping people find their seats and serving drinks.
By the 1990s, the theatre needed more work. So, from 1999 to 2001, a big project took place. They restored both the inside and outside of the building. In 2007, more improvements were made. Air conditioning was added, and new seats were put in. The theatre can now seat 902 people.
In 2011, a magazine called FT Magazine wrote about opera house designs. They said that the Buxton Opera House was one of the best designed by Frank Matcham. They praised its size, sound quality, and beautiful decorations.
What Else is Part of the Theatre Complex?
The theatre complex is more than just the Opera House! It also includes:
- The nearby Victorian Pavilion.
- The 369-seat Pavilion Arts Centre. This building was rebuilt in 2010. It used to be called the Paxton Theatre.
- The Octagon Hall auditorium, which was built in 1875.
- A two-story restaurant with a bar and a gift shop.
The arts centre stage can even be changed into a smaller, 93-seat studio theatre.
Exciting Festivals at the Opera House
Since July 1979, the Opera House has been home to the Buxton Festival. This festival runs for about two weeks in mid-July. It has become one of Britain's biggest opera festivals. It often features operas by George Frideric Handel and other unique or classic operas.
Alongside the main festival is the Buxton Festival Fringe. This is a popular event for performers to try out their shows before the famous Edinburgh Fringe. It is now known as the largest 'true' fringe festival in the UK!
Since 1994, the Opera House has also hosted the yearly three-week-long International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. This festival brings audiences from all over the UK and from other countries.
The Opera House puts on over 400 shows each year! From 2004 to 2013, it hosted the Four Four Time music festival. This festival featured many different types of music over ten days in February. Famous performers like Marc Almond and Boy George have played there.
See also
In Spanish: Ópera de Buxton para niños
- Grade II* listed buildings in High Peak
- Listed buildings in Buxton
