Young Buxton Opera House actors prepare for a gargantuan showcase

Young actors from Buxton Opera House are to compete alongside some of the most talented young actors in the country after securing a spot in the National Theatre's Connections Festival for the second successive year.
The Gargantua production team, featuring assistant director Adrienne Posta, director Craig Sanders, musical director James Atherton and Jo Eltringham.The Gargantua production team, featuring assistant director Adrienne Posta, director Craig Sanders, musical director James Atherton and Jo Eltringham.
The Gargantua production team, featuring assistant director Adrienne Posta, director Craig Sanders, musical director James Atherton and Jo Eltringham.

The Connections Festival provides theatre students with experience of professional theatre-making, mirroring that of a professional company producing a new play in any theatre in the country. It also engages top writers to produce fresh and ground-breaking works that could go on to become modern classics.

Buxton Opera House’s Young Company will perform Gargantua by Carl Grose at the Pavilion Arts Centre from Thursday March 3 to Saturday March 5 at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm, before transferring to Derby Theatre on Wednesday May 4.

Craig Sanders, the theatre’s learning and participation officer, will direct Gargantua. He said: “This is the second year Buxton Opera House has been fortunate to be selected to take part in the National Theatre Connections Festival.

“Our brilliant Young Company embrace the challenge of staging a new show and showcasing their talents beyond Buxton.

“Gargantua is an epic and bonkers play which has allowed the Young Company to develop their performance skills in acting, singing, movement and puppetry. It’s a play filled with theatrical illusion and effects and is going to be something rather quite special.”

Tickets for performances of Gargantua are priced from £10 to £12, with discounts available.

For more information, call the Box Office on 0845 127 2190 or book online at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.