Programming & Producing
We’re proud to present a vibrant mix of performances at our two venues - Buxton Opera House and the Pavilion Arts Centre. Alongside producing and co-producing our own shows, we welcome touring artists and companies from across the UK and around the world.
We aim to have something for everyone, with around 450 performances each year. These include music, drama, dance, comedy, family entertainment, musicals, opera, and our much-loved pantomime.
To help us choose what goes on stage, we look at every submission based on four key areas:
- Artist Development
- Audience Development
- Sales Potential
- Artistic Quality
Programming Information
Buxton Opera House
Built in 1903, Buxton Opera House features 902 seats across four levels and a beautiful proscenium arch, designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham. Despite its grandeur, the curved auditorium creates a warm and intimate experience for audiences — making it perfect for shows with broad appeal and high production values.
Our programme includes a wide mix of genres, from popular titles and classic plays to large-scale productions. We’re especially keen to grow our selection of:
- Drama
- Multi-night runs
- Stories connected to Derbyshire, the East Midlands, or the North West
We typically programme at least 12 months in advance, so early contact is encouraged. To help us fully consider your production, please send as much detail as possible via email. Submissions are reviewed regularly by our artistic and programming, teams.
Due to the age of the building, we do have some limitations on technical capabilities in the Opera House. Please take a look at our technical specifications for further detail.
Pavilion Arts Centre
The Pavilion Arts Centre is a cosy and welcoming venue with seating for 355 people across two levels. It’s ideal for smaller productions, fringe theatre, new writing, and amateur dramatics. We’re keen to expand our programme of small-scale drama. The venue offers a lively mix of music, comedy, talks, and family shows.
Thanks to its high ceilings, the Pavilion Arts Centre also has excellent acoustics, making it a great spot for orchestras and big band performances.
Co-Producing
We're always keen to connect and develop relationships with new collaborators for future co-productions. Some of our recent co-productions include:
The Full Monty (2024) UK Tour in collaboration with Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and in association with Mark Goucher Productions
Hairspray (2024/25) UK Tour with Mark Goucher Productions
The Vanishing Elephant (2025) with Cahoots Northern Ireland
Military Wives (2025) with York Theatre Royal and in association with Everyman Theatre Cheltenham
