Buxton Opera House — Attraction in High Peak

My partner and I visited Buxton Opera House for The ELO Experience on Saturday the 2nd of September 2023. What an absolutely stunning place. I have a few gripes as I will mention here but it was a stunning place. My first point is although (not alot you can do about it really, but probably make people aware of it when booking seats, hardly any room for your legs, people with bad knees, arthritis etc would find themselves stiffening up for sure) ... We sat in the gallery ... my partner started to film the band and he was told by a member of your staff to kindly stop doing that (Not a problem) although I will say that we had been to see The ELO Exoerience at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield earlier on in the year and no one batted an eyelid when anyone filmed the band. Anyway like I say, not a problem and he put his phone away. There was a couple who sat in front of us that kept on and on filming the band and they were told by this member of staff numerous times to not do it - but continued to do it. All of a sudden out of nowhere the gentleman sat next to my partner said to my partner *Just watch the show, watch it instead of videoing it. The band said they don't want filming, my wife works here and that's what they said, so abide by it * Ok number one, my partner was told once by a member of staff to stop filming the band and he did - why did this gentleman who was sat with his wife who apparently works for The Opera House and who were both watching the band aswell, why would he decide to have a go at us ?? Sorry, but I don't care if your wife works there, my partner was told by a member of staff who was actually working that evening to stop filming the band and he did !!!!!! ... it was the people in front who were told several times to stop filming. Finally, where we were sat when the band were singing their last song, people got up to dance and unstiffen their legs and they were told by the same member of staff to sit down - not sure why, it was the last song and most people wanted to have a little dance and a stretch. I enjoyed watching the band and the atmosphere was cracking, but really didn't need the hassle for no reason from an off duty member of staffs husband (whose wife was with...

There's nothing wrong with Buxton Opera House, but beware the small print of the 'Booking Protect' insurance they offer when booking. This is intended to give comfort in case you have to miss a performance for medical reasons. 5 days before we were due to attend a show in February 2024 my partner fell and broke a bone in her neck. She was unable to sit comfortably or sleep properly for some weeks afterwards. With my insurance claim I sent confirmation as requested in the form of a medical report from the hospital doctor. Booking Protect wouldn't consider reviewing the claim until we had provided a further "note from her doctor (signed and on headed paper) which excludes them from attending the booked event". They accepted that we had sent a genuine hospital report, but that report didn't say "she was classed as medically unfit to attend the event". Booking Protect didn't make this request until 7 days after the performance had taken place. How could we go back to ask a hospital consultant to certify that fact 12 days after the accident, without taking up his valuable time to re-examine her for such a trivial reason as satisfying an insurer? How could the doctor certify whether she was fit or not on the day of the performance, unless he examined her on that day? The NHS is busy enough without nonsense like that to contend with. Booking Protect have written in a nice little get-out to paying our claim and that of others in a similar situation and they should be ashamed of themselves. I suggest to everyone to avoid leaving yourselves open to such dubious practices, by not taking out the insurance Booking...

Buxton Opera House is a lovely building inside and out. The theatre is quite dated but with exquisite wall and ceiling décor! Although the seats were quite hard, narrower than other theatre seats and also tight in leg space for people who are taller than 5ft 3inches. We watched Steve Steinman's Vampires Rock 2023 with Lorraine Crosby as the Vampire Queen on Saturday, 28th January, 7.30pm (it ended at 10.20pm with extra sing-along and stand up dancing). The show was great fun with audience interaction from Steve/the Baron. The theatre is quite compact so the audience, especially where we were in the stalls, had a great view. Free parking is available after 6pm at the nearby Pavilion Garden car park (about 3 mins walk). The park (with water fountain, bridge, boating lake) is a quick walk away from the Opera House as are many restaurants. Recommend to book in advance for any shows/movies shown. I booked the show tickets (£36.50 pp) online, with extra protection in case of cancellation for £2.19 per person, through the Buxton Opera House website. I chose to collect the tickets at the box office, which I did a day before the show date. The lovely lady at the box office was so friendly and helpful. A must visit at least if you are in or around the...