Opera House

Opened as a live theatre on 1st June 1903, the Opera House was designed by the pre-eniment theatre architect Frank Matcham and remains one of his most charming creations. There are fine examples here of Art Nouveau stained glass, plasterwork by interior designer De Jong, and Edwardian dressed stonework.

By 1948 it had become a cinema operated by Buxton and High Peak Entertainments Ltd. and this arrangement lasted until the mid-1970’s when the cinema closed for a sensitive restoration as a live theatre.

The projection box, which is situated in the top balcony (a separate level level continuing up from the Upper Cicle), remains as a lighting and sound control box.

Films are no longer screened here. A further redecoration and restoration was completed in 2001 in readiness for its centenary celebrations.

It is designated a Grade II* Listed building by English Heritage.

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

Ian on August 21, 2007 at 7:05 am

Another couple of photos of the Opera House here

Exterior:-
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Interior:-
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Ian on June 17, 2008 at 6:05 am

A more recent set of photos (June 2008) here:–

Exterior – View link

Foyer – View link

Projection – View link

Auditorium – View link
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robboehm on May 5, 2009 at 6:38 pm

I thought it rather odd quite a few years ago when I was in Buxton that the Opera House was playing Orca the Killer Whale. Quite a come down.

robboehm on May 6, 2009 at 2:08 pm

Also, in retrospect I seem to recall another theatre in Buxton. I may be wrong. If I have a chance I’ll look at old photos to see if another one appears.

smoothie on April 25, 2010 at 8:46 am

I’m thinking that if it was a cinema/theatre then the identity will be the Hippodrome, to the rear of the Opera House, for a brief period in the 1930’s, and part of the Pavilion music rooms. The proper address would be St.John’s Road.

smoothie on April 25, 2010 at 8:52 am

Addendum to the above. Refernce to “The Picture House”, Spring Gardens. Date(s) to be fully confirmed, but at least in the 1930’s.

robboehm on April 25, 2010 at 10:08 am

I truts, then, that you will do the honors of adding this to the site.

smoothie on May 2, 2010 at 10:34 am

rvb; the site I have accessed particularly for general Local History work is the Derbyshire ‘Picturethepast’ archives.

To get there in this instance, go to www.picturethepast.org.uk/frontend.php First searchbox type ‘cinema’.
Without exiting choose ‘Buxton’ from the next search which is a drop-down list. Then ‘search’ at the same page bottom. Plese get back if you need help navigating. Plenty of extra photos of The Opera House too!