Introduction
The Pavilion Arts Centre is our new second theatre, opened in September 2010, housed in what was formerly the Paxton Suite of the Pavilion Gardens complex, behind the Opera House.
The Pavilion Arts Centre has two auditoria: a 360-seat Main Room and 93-seat Studio Theatre. Each of the auditoria has its own entrance (both on St John’s Road), and the Main Room also has its own box office, which is open for Main Room shows only from one hour before each performance. The Main Room also has its own, brand-new, spacious bar.
Both auditoria have retractable seating, which enables each to be used not only for performances but also for rehearsals, workshops, fairs and exhibitions. With all the stalls and bleacher seats fully retracted, the Main Room has around 200 sq.m of flat rehearsal or exhibition space, and the Studio Theatre (which also serves as the stage to the Main Room) around 80 sq.m. The two rooms can be separated by a soundproof partition.
The Studio Theatre has a flat floor performing area of 6m x 5m, and houses our programme of fringe and independent small-scale drama, which formerly had a home in The Paupers Pit Theatre. We will also use the Studio Theatre for an expanded programme of shows for children and families which were previously staged in St John’s Church or other nearby venues.
The Main Room has 78 seats in the stalls, 140 on a tiered bleacher and 142 in the balcony (which, along with the magnificent vaulted ceiling, has been exposed for the first time in over 30 years, and fully restored to its original glory). We use the Main Room for a mixed programme of stand-up comedy (including the Buxton Buzz Comedy Club) and music (including lunchtime recitals, lunchtime jazz, and the Four-Four Time Live Music Festival concerts we previously presented in the Pavilion Lounge), as well as a programme of cinema and summer festival performances by the Buxton Festival, Buxton Festival Fringe and International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.
Seating Plan
A numbered seating plan for the Main Room is here.
Directions & Parking Information
Directions to the Pavilion Arts Centre are here.
How to Book
Click here for booking information.
What’s On Listings
You can browse events and book tickets here.
