INTERVIEW: The new face at the helm of Buxton Opera House

Paul Kerryson will be in charge of shaping the future of the theatre and wants to get more young people involved.

The 55-year-old said: “I was approached to step in and I’m truly honoured to be given the opportunity to work at the wonderful opera house.

“Having such a wonderful theatre really is a gift for the community.”

Paul was born in Ireland and attended boarding school in Bournemouth. He has lived on the edge of the Peak District for 30 years.

He said: “My work has taken me all over and I spent 23 years working in Leicester, but I never lived there.

“There is nothing more beautiful in all the world than the rolling hills of the Peak District.”

He started treading the boards at Macclesfield Library Theatre Company as an actor and choreographer before working in Oldham, and spent a large part of his career in Leicester.

He was appointed as the artistic director of Leicester Theatre Trust from 1991, and was guiding the artistic vision for a new theatre which opened in 2008.

Paul said: “There is a need for live performances, whether that be musicals, comedy or dramas.”

Before taking on this role, he directed The King And I and Rent. He said: “There is no greater feeling than taking an idea of a show, making a production and then seeing a full house as people come to watch it.”

Paul has family in Toronto and has travelled the world as his production of Hairspray became a worldwide success - even seeing his performances tour in Japan.

In 2015 he was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list; he is an honorary doctorate from De Montfort University and was named one of the industry’s ‘100 most influential people of 2015’ by The Stage newspaper.

He added: “It is an honour of course, but I am very lucky to come to work everyday and have a real love for what I do and not everyone can say that.”

His vision for the future of Buxton

Paul, who lives with his Irish terrier Malachi, started his job at the Opera House on Monday and said: “This is my local theatre and I already know it is a jewel for the town, but now I want to build on that and make it high profile and attract the best shows. I’m excited about this challenge and I think coming from a directing background I can offer a breath of fresh air and new viewpoint.”

After meeting the staff and touring the Grade II listed building Paul is now looking forward to panto season. He said: “For many children that will be their first experience of a theatre and I want the show to capture their hearts and their imaginations.

“A theatre is nothing without its audience and I am always looking to increase people’s knowledge of the theatre from a young age.”

Paul replaces Simon Glinn and will be in the post for half a year.

He added: “No-one knows what the future has in store, but you can do a lot in six months.”