Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre

About

Buxton Opera House and Buxton Cinema offer a variety of performances and cinema for everyone.

In our Frank Matcham designed theatre we present around 450 performances a year which includes drama, dance, comedy, family shows and of course opera as well as a Learning and Engagement Programme. The theatre is also home to the prestigious Buxton International Festival.

The Grade II listed Edwardian theatre was built in 1903 and restored to its former glory back in 2001 thanks to the tireless work of many dedicated theatre enthusiasts. The theatre still relies on the dedication of its staff and has nearly 200 volunteers who help with a range of tasks including serving drinks in the bar and showing customers to their seats.

Buxton Opera House has been recognised for its great customer services, having won the Most Welcoming Theatre in the East Midlands in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Voted for by the public, over 56,000 votes were cast last year to crown the Buxton Opera House the winner.

Whilst stunning, Buxton Opera House obviously has its limitations in terms of access. However, we don’t think anyone should miss out having a great time at the theatre so we continually look at ways to improve access where we can. While the upper levels of the theatre can only be reached by stairs, in the Stalls area on the ground floor we have three wheelchair spaces and an accessible toilet. There’s a step to the Stalls bar, but one of our lovely volunteers will be happy to bring refreshments to your seat.

There are steps to the Opera House foyer and Box Office counter, but there is an intercom system linked to the Box Office on Water Street. If you would like a copy of our brochure in another format, just let us know. We can sometimes offer discounts for disabled customers and free essential companion tickets, so it’s always worth asking our Box office team about availability.

We offer a number of Accessible performances throughout the year including Relaxed Performances especially for people on the autistic spectrum and people with learning disabilities. During these performances we adapt the sound and lighting and provide a quiet space with a sensory tent if anyone needs a few minutes away from the action. There is a visual story for both venues on our website to help prepare for your visit.

Signed performances are available on most of our bigger shows such as our annual pantomime. The performance uses a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter who usually stands to the left of the stage. There also is a hearing loop or for a small deposit, you can borrow a Passive Infra-red system from the Box Office.

Our other venue the Pavilion Arts Centre is also home to Buxton Cinema. This 355 seat cinema brings some of the very best blockbusters, arthouse cinema and live screenings right to the very heart of Buxton. The Arts Centre is also still used for small-scale drama, stand-up comedy and our lunchtime Coffee Concerts where the musicians of the future delight with their outstanding talents.

The ground floor of the Pavilion Arts Centre/Buxton Cinema is accessible by wheelchair and there is a level access bar, where you can also purchase cinema tickets, and accessible toilet on the ground floor. Since opening we have developed a full cinema programme which is welcoming to all. We host Dementia Friendly Screenings for people living with memory challenges, subtitled screenings for Deaf or hard of hearing audiences and also Autism-Friendly screenings which have a relaxed atmosphere with lower volume, raised house lights and a chill-out area.

On top of what we offer for customers, we feel it is important to have an understanding and approachable team. Therefore our Box Office, Front of House and behind the scenes staff have received First Aid, Dementia and Autism awareness training and shortly will be receiving Deaf awareness training.

In the next year we also will be improving our accessibility online, making it easier to book your tickets and help make visiting our venues an all-around enjoyable and accessible experience.

If you would like to come and see us before your visit or would like more information, feel free to call on: 01298 72190.