Buxton Opera House News

Cavendish Business Club Networking Event

2011-10-20T13:52:00Z

Buxton Opera House held its annual networking event for members of the Cavendish Business Club on Tuesday 11 October. As part of the evening (which was held on the Buxton Opera House stage) members were treated to beer tasting and a talk from Geoff Quinn, owner of Buxton Real Ale microbrewery, based at Staden Business Park. A quiz gave members a chance to go ‘head to head’ to test their entertainment knowledge and to their delight Buxton’s Travel In Depth, the newest members to join the club scooped the top prize.

If you are interested in joining Buxton Opera House’s Cavendish Business Club, please contact Opera House Business Development Officer, Jenny Mather: email: press@boh.org.uk, Telephone: 01298 72050

Snow White dancers & dwarfs

2011-10-19T13:41:00Z

Here are the young performers appearing as dancers & dwarfs in this year’s pantomime, Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs.
Front Row: Fern Scott, Charlotte Howard, Martha Burwood, Bronte MacMillan
2nd Row: Liberty Rose Hall, Amelia Fitzgerald, Saffron Milner, Chloe Orton, Heidi Rolph – Scott
3rd Row: Amber Paton, Susy Phythian, Phoebe Wilman, Ellena Taylor, Hollie Burwood
4th Row: Tiegan Dixon, Keira Day, Holly Goodenough, Catherine Fenton, Darcy MacMillan
5th Row: Eleanor Bristow, Sophie Phythian, Tanith Williams, Bethany Burrows, Chloe Bennett.
6th Row: Sophie Quinn, Fiona Beck, Abby Levett – Smith, Lucy Cresswell, Charlotte Williams, Tess Doig

Buxton Opera House’s legendary Stage Door Keeper, Roy Pickles, retires

2011-09-29T14:35:00Z

Buxton Opera House staff and board members toasted the retirement of Stage Door Keeper, Roy Pickles and his ‘sixteen years of loyal service’ on Monday 26 September, when the venue held a special reception in Roy’s honour on the Opera House Stage.

Roy Pickles has worked as Stage Door Keeper at the Opera House since May 1995, during which time he has greeted thousands of performers, including countless famous faces, looking after their needs and building an excellent reputation with stars and backstage crew alike. Some of the visiting entertainers have even grown to be personal friends of Roy’s:

‘I’ve met some wonderful people and made friends with performers from all over the world. I get along very well with Ken Dodd, who even got me on stage one year to be a stooge in one of his shows. I have also struck up a friendship with Dillie Keane who has been to the Opera House many times – she has written about me in an article for The Stage newspaper calling me ‘The Star of the Stage Door,’’ said Roy.

Roy plans to spend his retirement working in the community as both Vice Chairman of the Hall Bank Trust, and as a member of Buxton and District Probus Club. Roy will also continue his good relationship with the Opera House, where he already doubles up as a front of house volunteer.

Opera House Chief Executive, Andrew Aughton presented Roy with a picture of the theatre by the fine art and mixed media artist, Rob Wilson.

‘The Stage Door Keeper is often the first – and last – face a performer sees when appearing at the Opera House, and a friendly and welcoming presence there makes all the difference. That’s always been Roy’s strength. We’ll miss him, and I know a lot of our regular visiting artists will too!’ said Andrew.

Lottery Winner

2011-04-19T13:35:00Z

Diane Spencer of Buxton was presented with a cheque for £10,000 last Friday, as the lucky winner of Buxton Opera House’s annual Giant Cash Bonanza prize draw. Diane (who plans to go on a sunny holiday and treat her family with the money) retired to Buxton nine years ago and was thrilled to scoop the top prize.

‘I’m absolutely delighted and surprised – I’ve never won anything like this before. I received the call to say I had won on 1 April, and when my daughter found out she told me not to get too excited in case it was an April Fool’s joke. I signed up to the lottery to make a charitable contribution to the Opera House, and never thought I would win’, she said.

Matthew Lee who recruits new Giant Cash Bonanza members said: ‘People have much higher odds of winning cash prizes with the Giant Cash Bonanza in comparison to the National Lottery. And all the proceeds from subscriptions go towards the upkeep, improvement and running of the theatre.’

The lottery costs just £2 per week to join. As well as the annual jackpot of £10,000 there are also monthly prizes of Matcham Discount Cards and family tickets to Opera House shows. Weekly cash prizes with a jackpot of £1000 are also up for grabs.

If you wish to join Giant Cash Bonanza and support Buxton Opera House, please e-mail your name and contact details to info@cashbonanzaclub.co.uk or call 01298 72050 and a member of staff will contact you to set up your membership.

A Gala Fundraising Evening with Katherine Jenkins

2008-11-28T15:42:00Z

Buxton Opera House toasted the massive success of its sell-out Gala Fundraising Evening on Sunday 23 November 2008 with the world-renowned mezzo soprano singer Katherine Jenkins and the National Symphony Orchestra. Excited guests were treated to a pre-show Champagne & Canapé Reception at the University of Derby, Buxton plus a 3-course After-Show Dinner at Old Hall Hotel, Buxton, both of which were hosted by one of Britain’s favourite screen actors, Robert Powell. The reception was attended by Her Grace The Duchess of Devonshire and 201 delighted patrons. The gala raised nearly £20,000 in aid of the Opera House’s Children’s Theatre Appeal through ticket sales and sponsorship. The sponsor of the Concert and Reception & Dinner was The Buxton Crescent Hotel & Thermal Spa Company.

Picture caption: Katherine Jenkins accepts a cheque for £6000 on behalf of the Children’s Theatre Appeal from the evening’s sponsor Crescent Hotel & Thermal Spa Company. From Left to right: Rhea Blakeley, Jenny Mather (Opera House Business Development Officer), John Smith on behalf of Crescent Hotel & Thermal Spa Company, Katherine Jenkins, Nathan Lomas & Harry Gibbons.