The record breaking group, who sold 20 million copies worldwide and recently celebrated their 40th anniversary, reformed this year to release their Greatest Hits album ‘Its Been Too Long’ which stormed into the Top Ten of the UK album this summer. Lyn became internationally famous in the 1970s, winning countless awards and Gold albums. The band’s single I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing reached Number 1 in the UK charts and the group performed at the White House for President Nixon’s inauguration and came second in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Considered by many Blood Brothers fans as the quintessential Mrs Johnstone, Lyn first joined the West End production of Blood Brothers in 1997, starring in the lead role for the next three years, including during the show’s 10th anniversary year. She has also played the role repeatedly on tour.

The celebrated role of Mrs Johnstone has been played by such well-known actresses as Stephanie Lawrence, Clodagh Rodgers, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul, Siobhan McCarthy, and four of the Nolan sisters (Linda, Bernie, Denise and Maureen).

This epic tale of Liverpool life has been running in London’s West End since July 1988 and touring the UK since 1995. In the USA it has had a record-breaking Broadway run, a hugely successful coast-to-coast tour and was nominated for seven Tony Awards. Telling the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be re-united by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret, the memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

Lyn Paul will be appearing in Blood Brothers from Monday 7 to Saturday 19 June 2010.

For many, The Buxton Buzz Comedy Club is a local institution, bringing fun and laughter to the first Friday of every month. The club always delivers a colourful mix of male and female comedy talent, from complete ‘unknowns’ to ‘next big things’ to well-known and established comics on the circuit. The beauty of the event is that you don’t know what to expect next, from the beginner to the seasoned pro. Every now and then The Buzz has even struck gold – they still talk of the time Alan Carr delivered a typically flamboyant headline set ‘before he was famous.’ One thing audiences can rely on is having a good laugh. With a fully stocked bar and three comics and a compère travelling every month in all weathers from across the country, they make sure their journey to Buxton is well worth it!

Andrew Aughton, Chief Executive of Buxton Opera House, presenters of The Buzz, said: “It’s sad to be leaving The Clubhouse after all these years. For a decade, it’s been the home of The Buzz, and there are so many people to thank, from Steph Billen and Martin Beard, who first set it up, to Nick Watterson and Barbara Sandle, who manage the pub now. But, we wish them well with their new venture, and we look forward ourselves to welcoming more customers to The Buzz, with the increased capacity of the Gardens Lounge, and, of course, from Autumn 2010, we will move The Buzz into the new Pavilion Arts Centre.”

The first Buxton Buzz Comedy Club to take place in the Pavilion Gardens Lounge will be on Friday 8 January at 8.30pm (doors open 7.45pm). Subsequent nights will be on Friday 5 February, Friday 5 March, Friday 2 April, Friday 7 May and Friday 4 June.

Tickets for the Buxton Buzz are £6 and are available in advance from the Box Office until 5pm on the day of the show, and on the door after that (cash only). Call the Box Office on 0845 127 2190 or buy online at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.

Our photo shows Opera House Chief Executive, Andrew Aughton (left), thanking Nick Watterson of The Old Clubhouse for six years hosting The Buzz.

Photo Taken by Buxton Advertiser

Top row, from left to right: Olivia Hunter – Chesterfield, Tess Doig – Buxton, Tamara Gosling – Buxton and Charlotte Williams – Bramhall
Second row down from left to right: Rebecca Brewster – Stockport, Hannah Smith – Baslow, Fiona Doig – Buxton and Chloe Yates – Macclesfield.
Third row down from left to right: Philippa Lloyd – Presbury, Chloe Gibbions – Brampton, Chesterfield and Elena Taylor – Ashbourne.
Fourth row down from left to right: Chloe Bennett – Reddish, Tanith Willaims – Macclesfield, Francesca Fleming – Brampton, Chesterfield and Hannah Taylor, Ashbourne.
Bottom Row: Lydia Westhead – High Peak, Darcy MacMillan – Stockport, Sophie Quinn – Macclesfield, Bethany Burrows – Macclesfield.

A fabulous collection of original antiques and works of art go on sale at Buxton’s internationally famous annual antiques fair, at the Pavilion Gardens, from 13th – 16th May. ‘We have something for everyone,’ says organiser Sue Ede, who successfully re-launched this annual event last year. ‘From fine Georgian furniture to historic oil paintings, Continental porcelain, contemporary art, sculpture, fine silver, English pottery, stylish Art Nouveau metalwork, chic 1940s jewellery and all kinds of fascinating objets d’art.’

Now in its 46th year, The Buxton Antiques Fair is one of the most prestigious events of the antiques calendar. ‘The fair has always been one of the highlights of the spring season for the whole of the UK art and antiques market,’ explains Sue. ‘Visitors come from across the north and west of England to view and buy. And this year I am delighted to be bringing a number of new exhibitors to add an extra dimension to the range of art and antiques for sale’.

Sixty specialist dealers occupy room-set style stands within the charming setting of The Pavilion Gardens building, with its adjacent restaurant and coffee bar.

Everything Vetted

All exhibits on sale at the fair are vetted for quality and authenticity by a committee of experts. Exhibits are offered in a condition ready for people’s homes and private collections. ‘This ensures that buyers can make their purchases with confidence and is the mark of a good quality fair,’ explains Sue, who appreciates that anyone who invests in fine quality antiques needs that kind of reassurance.

The fair is open to the public from 11am to 6pm daily, closing at 5pm on Sunday.

The 46th Annual Buxton Antiques Fair, 13-16 May 2010.
Cooper Events Tel: 01278 784912 / www.cooperevents.com

Those treading the boards for festive fun include Arthur Bostrom, who performed as Office Crabtree, the vowel-mangling policeman, famous for his catch phrase ‘Good Moaning’ in the hit BBC comedy series Allo ‘Allo!, taking the role of King Rat.
Grease Is The Word finalist Bradley Clarkson will perform as Dick Whittington and the talented Leah Hackett (Tina McQueen in Hollyoaks) will play pantomime heroine Alice Witzwarren.

This year’s Buxton Opera House pantomime is set to provide more side-splitting comedy, catchy pop songs, show-stopping dance routines and feline fun than ever before, making Dick Whittington the perfect seasonal treat for the whole family.

Channel Theatre Company’s presentation of Dick Whittington runs from Saturday 12 December 2009 to Saturday 2 January 2010. Tickets for Dick Whittington are on sale now, priced from £14 to £18.50 and discounts are available. To book tickets or for further information, please contact the Box Office on 0845 127 2190 or visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.