Mike Hume and I arrived in Buxton on the evening of August 4, 2024.
The fence surrounding Buxton’s Pavillion gardens with the Opera House, pictured far right.A map showing the location of the Buxton Opera House in England.
On the morning of August 5, we had a little time to wander about town, taking in a few sights.
Buxton, England.
Buxton is a spa town in the east Midlands region of England, built on the River Wye. With ancient origins, Buxton became known for the healing properties of its waters. In fact, the one of the first things we did upon our arrival was to fill our water bottles at St. Ann’s Well, a shrine since medieval times.
St. Ann’s Well in Buxton, England.
Buxton’s website explains that St. Ann’s Well was denoted one of seven ‘Wonders of the Peak’ by Thomas Hobbes in 1678: “this cures the palsied members of the old, and cherishes the nerves grown stiff and cold”. Warm water, from a geothermal spring, flows at a constant 28 degrees Celsius (82.4F). High in magnesium, the same spring water is bottled and sold asBuxton Water.
Victorian spa in Buxton, now part of the Buxton Tourism building. Note the flowerpot sculpture – like in Settle!
Mike had scheduled an appointment with Willow Hick, production coordinator at the Buxton Opera House. I am still a little amazed that anyone allowed us to visit during the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.
It was also a perfect opportunity to visit old friends. As Diana Walkden lived nearby, we invited her to join us on our excursion. It was a really good thing too, as her involvement with the current Matcham exhibit on display in the building likely expanded or tour options that day!
Wendy Waszut-Barrett and Diana Walkden at the Buxton Opera House, August 5, 2024.One of the framed panels for the exhibit at the Buxton Opera House.Detail showing the layout at the Buxton Opera House.
Buxton’s Opera House was designed by Frank Matcham (1854-1920). This architect has quite a following, although that wasn’t always the case. He has a really interesting past and his theatres are absolutely gorgeous. For more information about Matcham, visit the Frank Matcham Society.
Opening on June 1, 1903, the Buxton Opera House featured live performances until 1927. As was the case with many theatre at this time, silent films were introduced, thus shifting the direction of scheduled entertainments. Although live performances persisted over the years, the Buxton Opera House primarily served as a cinema, then gradually fell into a state of disrepair. Fortunately, it has returned to its former glory, reopening on July 30,1979, with a performance of Lucia di Lammermoor.
Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit:
The Buxton Opera House, England.Entrance to the Buxton Opera House.The lobby at the Buxton Opera House.Ceiling mural detail in the lobby of the Buxton Opera House.Floor detail in the lobby at the Buxton Opera House.The safety curtain in at the Buxton Opera House on August 5, 2024.The Buxton Opera House.Ceiling at the Buxton Opera House.Sunburner and ceiling murals at the Buxton Opera House.Ceiling mural detail at the Buxton Opera House.Mural detail of comedy and tragedy masks at the Buxton Opera House.Proscenium detail at the Buxton Opera House.Proscenium detail at the Buxton Opera House.Theatre Manager’s box at the Buxton Opera House.View of the orchestra pit from the boxes at the Buxton Opera House.Another view of the Buxton Opera House.Buxton Opera House.Last row at the Buxton Opera House.Buxton Opera House.Mike Hume in action at the Buxton Opera House during our visit on August 5, 2024.
As with all of our theatre visits this trip, Mike Hume’s Historic Theatre Photography will share more detailed information and photos for this and other venues.
Leaving the Buxton Opera House on August 5, 2024.Wendy Waszut-Barrett, Diana Walkden, and Mike Hume in front of the Buxton Opera House, England.
To be continued…
Author: waszut_barrett@me.com
Wendy Rae Waszut-Barrett, PhD, is an author, artist, and historian, specializing in painted settings for opera houses, vaudeville theaters, social halls, cinemas, and other entertainment venues. For over thirty years, her passion has remained the preservation of theatrical heritage, restoration of historic backdrops, and the training of scenic artists in lost painting techniques. In addition to evaluating, restoring, and replicating historic scenes, Waszut-Barrett also writes about forgotten scenic art techniques and theatre manufacturers. Recent publications include the The Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple: Freemasonry, Architecture and Theatre (Museum of New Mexico Press, 2018), as well as articles for Theatre Historical Society of America’s Marquee, InitiativeTheatre Museum Berlin’s Die Vierte Wand, and various Masonic publications such as Scottish Rite Journal, Heredom and Plumbline. Dr. Waszut-Barrett is the founder and president of Historic Stage Services, LLC, a company specializing in historic stages and how to make them work for today’s needs. Although her primary focus remains on the past, she continues to work as a contemporary scene designer for theatre and opera.
View all posts by waszut_barrett@me.com
2 thoughts on “Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Buxton Opera House on August 5, 2024”
I’m surprised you haven’t already attacked that huge blank space of white fire curtain and turned it into a faux period painting! You fingers must be tingling!!
I’m surprised you haven’t already attacked that huge blank space of white fire curtain and turned it into a faux period painting! You fingers must be tingling!!