100 Not Out
Kit & The Widow, Western Europe’s leading piano-and-voice-based lounge act, may well be in their prime. With 50 years apiece they have now chalked up a dazzling century. Almost unbelievably (except when you see what they look like now) their unbroken stand at the crease has lasted 30 years. Their seditious songs expose all the ball tampering of contemporary life, something they would never stoop to themselves (in fact they’re too old to stoop for anything).
Touring internationally over the last three years as support for American stand-up Joan Rivers, they are delighted to have sloughed her off for long enough to mount their own UK tour. Kit’s adored contributions on Radio 4’s Just A Minute are always a pleasure, but only return a very modest stipend. Similarly, the cash cow of The Widow’s involvement with Alan Bennett’s The History Boys has been milked dry. Which is why the Thelma and Louise of comedy song are delighted to be on the road again, calling at Buxton’s beautiful Opera House.

The Bon Jovi Experience is an outstanding tribute to Bon Jovi – the only Bon Jovi tribute band in the world to have actually played and shared a stage with Jon Bon Jovi himself!
Recreating Bon Jovi live in concert, The Bon Jovi Experience performs all the great hits: Livin’ On a Prayer, Keep the Faith, Bad Medicine, You Give Love a Bad Name, and many, many more.

Tavaziva Dance presents a work which combines African sensibility, music and dance moves within an entirely Western contemporary theatre context. Wild Dog captures the beauty and elegance of one of Africa’s most endangered species, whilst delving deep into the unknown and articulation of the beast. The bodies of the dramatic dancers pulsate and vibrate against the mind-blowing soundtrack cut and arranged by award-winning Zimbabwean-born choreographer and composer Bawren Tavaziva.

A fishing village in ancient Ceylon (Sri Lanka) is the setting for Bizet’s steamy tale of a tautly woven friendship, loyalty and forbidden love. The brave fishermen, Zurga and Nadir, recall a pact they made not to pursue Leila; a woman for whom both had developed a deep affection. When a veiled virgin arrives to pray for the fisherman on their upcoming expedition, the real pearl remains hidden – her true identity. When Leila finally reveals herself, she pits the old friends against each other in a deadly love-triangle.
This Swansea City Opera production is a visual and dramatic spectacle with vibrant costumes and a torrent of passion, loyalty and tension that is sure to enthrall audiences.
The Pearl Fishers is an exquisite combination of emotional turmoil and pervasive sadness, containing a ceaselessly seductive score with one of the most famous and beautiful operatic duets ever written for tenor and baritone – Au Fond du Temple Saint. It is beautifully performed in English by some of the finest singers and orchestral players in the country.

Two of the greatest jazzmen Britain has ever produced make a welcome return to Buxton Opera House, proving that they really are giants of jazz.
Mr Acker Bilk – honoured with an MBE in 2001 for his services to music – began his career as a clarinettist in the Ken Colyer Band, before forming the Bristol Paramount Jazz Band. In 1961 Acker recorded Stranger on the Shore, the first-ever recording to be number one simultaneously in the UK and USA. It stayed in the UK chart for an amazing 55 weeks, and was No 58 in the list of most popular singles since the charts began. With his famous bowler hat and waistcoat, Acker continues to delight audiences.
For more than forty years Kenny Ball has flown the flag for his particular brand of Traditional Jazz all over the world. It is a tribute to his stamina and musical integrity that Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen are as popular today as they were back in 1960 when they had their first chart hit with Samantha, followed by 14 top thirty records including Midnight in Moscow a Top Two in both the UK and USA. Today, Kenny Ball is identified with great jazz but also wonderful entertainment, for Kenny, like his hero Louis Armstrong, believes in making jazz attractive to the general public.

The beat meets the street
The producers of dance and drumming sensation Noise Ensemble present Cacophony – a fantastic new production that shows off Britain’s finest youth talent. In a high energy show suitable for all ages, Cacophony fuses drumming, street-dance and acrobatic skills in an evening of stunning performance backed by an urban tribal beat. Watch the talents evolve before you as we follow the stories of the hot 12-strong team of dancers, drummers and acrobats. With a memorable original soundtrack performed live and exciting visuals, Cacophony is a real treat for the eyes and ears.
www.cacophonylive.com

Kathryn Tickell is a composer and performer whose work is deeply connected to the landscape and people of Northumbria, in particular the North Tyne Valley where many of her relatives still play traditional music. Since her first album release in 1986 she has toured extensively throughout the UK and abroad. As well as composing her own music she has collaborated with artists as diverse as Sting, Andy Sheppard and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, to name a few. As founder of the Young Musicians’ Fund and Artistic Director of Folkestra, she has a real commitment to emerging artists in the north east of England. Kathryn Tickell is a genuine voice for Northumbrian traditional music and continues to bring her wealth of creativity to audiences worldwide.

Renowned for her dramatic and musical skills, internationally acclaimed British mezzo soprano Sally Burgess makes her directorial debut with this witty comedy in an English language production for English Chamber Opera. Set in the present day, this new production will focus on the fascinating and timeless relationships between Mozart’s characters, and the sheer genius of his score.

After a highly successful summer as special guest for The Eagles at arenas across the UK and Europe, legendary Sheffield-born singer, songwriter and former vocalist with Ace, Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics is back on tour to promote acclaimed new album I Know That Name. The album has received heavy airplay on BBC Radio 2 and the single I Don’t Want To Hear Any More featuring Don Henley and fellow Eagle Timothy B Schmit on backing vocals has also been recorded and released as a single by The Eagles. With a back catalogue of hits including How Long, Tempted and The Living Years, Paul’s marvelously soulful voice has earned him a legion of devoted fans who know all too well that a Paul Carrack show is always something very special.