Buxton Opera House Review

Fanfares on 'Doors Opening' and a wonderful Buzz. We had a seat in back row of stalls and we had no problem in engaging in what was happening in stage

Seating very cramped. The singers were excellent, the orchestra were amazing. Sadly, the scenery was pathetic and reminiscent of an end of the pier show but the costumes looked like they had been provided by Oxfam. Definitely not the standard we expected from a G& S at Buxton.

Lovely building, old fasioned in a good way. Great venue!

Truly love this place. Been to see some great artists here also great comedy acts. An absolute must for anyone

Book tickets for Aretha last night for my partner Christmas present. Buxton opera house is spectacular the staff were lovely and Proffesional. Janine Johnson who sang the story of Aretha was brilliantly talented her voice was superb we thoroughly enjoy the evening. Thank you.

Fabulous place, awesome decor. Sadly it was far too uncomfortable for me. I felt cramped sitting in the tiny seats (I know they are originals so can't be replaced) but it hurt my legs so much think will take cushion next time

The Opera House is a delight inside and out. Event staff are mainly volunteers and there are always plenty around.

Fabulous old building, staff rude and unhelpful a bit like the building not updated since the 1960's

Great venue, went to see the Kenny Wayne Shepherd band

Stunning auditorium beautiful decor and a great range of shows

Lovely location and a great venue@ just a shame that the snack bars prices are ridiculous and that the chairs are all WAAAAY too short on leg room...

Beautiful art nouveau building. At Christmas it lights up adding to the amazing town that Buxton is. Close to restaurants and bars. Wonderful ballet.

To see a Gibert & Sullivan opera. Did not enjoy it as the seating was cramped, very very warm and rejoyced when finished. Will not go again.

Joint Opera House/Crescent Heritage Trust production of 'Deep' last night - new work written for and developed by young actors. Superb and important.

I first went to the Opera House in 1980, specifically for Buxton International Festival productions. In 2008 moved from London to Buxton and was delighted to find what a great range of entertainment is provided there. Volunteer staff are charming and box office staff always helpful.

A beautifully and lovingly restored Matcham theatre.

Beautiful. Ornate. Good acoustics. Very hot and sticky in the summer heat. Staff are VERY friendly and helpful.

Beautiful building. Lots of shows on all year round.

Brilliant evening at this local and very popular opera house, in this beautiful spa town.

A beautifully ornate theatre, with a very nice intimate feel for its size. Location seems reasonably central to the town, though I imagine parking may become somewhat difficult in busy periods. There are also no nearby shops so stock up on snacks if you re not buying in venue!

There s a little arts centre next door that has a lovely cafe, and a giftshop. There also seems to be plenty of places around to grab dinner before the show, though I didn t try any.

All in all, a lovely welcoming theatre!

Went there for the Christmas panto. Excellent venue, good seating, great panto.

Absolutely Amazing Great Hairy Bikers very entertaining all through and finishing with a single song from one of the greats Love the Theatre too xx

Wonderful theatre. Was not there for a show but I know would be great

Our favourite theatre. Lovely inside. Staff always friendly and helpful

Incredibly beautiful. Super Victorian. Godd pre and intermission bars. Helpful staff.

An exquisitely ornate theatre house full of old world charms and modern theatre.
Very in keeping with the region from the outside & beautifully restored inside, it really is a treat to visit.
A very good excuse for a weekend away in the equally beautiful Peak District!

We love it here. A delight for the eyes entering this historic opera house. Beautifully kept.

Lovely theatre with wonderful ice cream in the interval.

A very friendly little Theatre , beautiful ornate architecture . Wonderful performances , comfy seating and a bar for refreshments . We love going here to shows , easy booking and a thoroughly good night out !

Brilliantly run place all by volunteers...and some really good shows on! Good prices and the bar is well stocked and cheep ie normal bar prices not extortionate like most theatres

Single handily the most beautiful theatre in England. Excellent programming something to enjoy every month for all in Buxton & around the globe. A regular visitor here, not every town in the U.K. Can boast a self-funding theatre. If you visit buxton you must go and enjoy a show a this magnificent Venue.

Lovely old building, perfect for a Christmas panto and so well run.

What's not to like? Quaint but full of atmosphere. Historic setting, excellent acoustics. Intimate yet professional theatre. A gem.

Just been to see Sleeping Beauty..Went last year for the first time, introducing my 3 young girls to the crazy world of Pantomime..They loved it and my wife and I couldn't stop laughing to the adult themed gags n jokes..Beautiful building and traditional old fashioned ice cream in a tub with the stick in the lid..Fantastic time.

Fantastic pantomime but made e tea special by the staff

Discrimination regarding Visible and Non Visible disability.

I write this review tonight quite upset after speaking to Andy Watts in the Box office.

I am a wheelchair user and have used the Opera House many times over the years and buy tickets with a carer ticket given. We have been asked to take letters in previously for myself and our autistic children so they can keep it on their system when buying tickets as evidence seen.

Tonight this is not the case according to Mr. Watts.

I hate the idea of writing a review without speaking to someone in authority at the Opera House but they operate a closed system in which you cannot speak to a senior member of the team and raise points, as I was told the usual cliche 'I can put it in writing". A faceless system I pointed out, and quite a non positive outcome producing scenario.

One of my children is going tonight to see a show and I have had to find her PIP letter out at the last minute. I rang and queried this and said that we are on the system and evidence has been shown.

I was advised that evidence has to be produced every time! I pointed out that I as a wheelchair haven't had to do this at every show, many over the years, but was advised its a non changeable policy adhered to all the time its and 'always been policy'. I disagreed and delved further.

Apparently if you are in a wheelchair it is left down to staff to decide if they need to see evidence of disability/benefit for the carers ticket. (Thats never been the case with me in my wheelchair). The shows are staffed by Volunteers and many good people whom have to operate in such a grey area of inequality.

I tried to point out that this is grossly unfair on people with non visible disabilities and especially after already taking evidence to the Opera House. (Why they needed to see it, and what they did with the copy that was taken I do not know). I explained that if I was asked to show evidence to the box office it couldn't be done as its not wheelchair accessible.

I am as a wheelchair user including myself in the review that if Autistic people or other people with non visible disabilities are to be subjected to having to produce evidence EVERYTIME they visit a show, then so should I or anyone else in a wheelchair.

I have been to the airport many time and seen people 'in wheelchairs' at check in, then run to the plane (no chair or support needed and then ask for a supporter to get through quicker at the destination) and this is wrong. I know the Entertainment industry is a different sector but what is stopping a similar person abusing the system by not being asked to provide evidence just because they use a wheelchair.

I tried and tried tonight to ask Andy to see it from the outside as a whole encompassing system, but I failed. He did let the word 'VISIBLE' slip which I pinned out and that is my point, just because I or anyone is visibly using a wheelchair, I do not expect the Opera House staff treat me as a separate category of disability and thus having a separate less intrusive qualifying procedure (for want of a better word) that other non visible disabled people have to go through every time they want to see a show.

If large arenas can treat disabled people equally then so should the Opera House. Maybe the Access scheme card could work a more equal system. All I ask is to look at the wider picture and treat us all as equals whether visibly disabled, non visible disability or able bodied.

Great venue. Quite small but ads to the charm. Staff were friendly and helpful

Love the Opera House it's a Jewel for Buxton a wide varied Programme...Went to see Elkie Brooks last night fabulous time has by all.

Phenomenal. Excellent architecture and perfect location for any performance.

Lovely venue, pleasant staff and free parking at the weekend just up the road.

Staff are very welcoming, excellent performances, easy to combine with a walking weekend

Went to see Gilbert and Sullivan's "Gondoliers" on an exceedingly rainy day in July. A great venue all around, nice facilities and a reasonably priced bar. The view from the highest tier was still excellent and there was more than enough leg room. All in all a fantastic day out!

Gorgeous building and great experience! Will be back!

Best musical (Oliver!) ever and to find out that it was a community

Lovely theatre and some really good shows. Good selection of comedians perform here too.

Drifters where fantastic lovely theatre great night out

Lovely old theatre all original built in 1902. Had a very informative tour. Our guide even told us about the ghost in the roof he made a mug of tea for.

Grand setting for an awesome concert with The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

A great place for live events in the Derbyshire. The interior is lovely and well looked after. The staff all seem to really enjoy being there and that makes a difference!

Lovely place. Excellent staff .Kenny Wayne Shepherd tonight awsome

Visited to see Russell Kane, a great small venue, great atmosphere, very decorative. Not sure if there are any Lifts as you do have to climb quite a few sets of stairs to the upper gallery. Good views of the stage, decent leg room, Opera More

First visit here and loved it. Very intimate,excellent accoustics,wonderfully friendly and helpful staff.

Lovely atmosphere great sculptures and wall carvings were people smaller in those days.. lol we will definately be back..