The Opera House was designed by the most celebrated of Theatre builders Mr Frank Matcham, who trained under Jethro T Robinson the designer of The famous Old Vic in fact he married his daughter and carried on the business when Robinson died in 1878.The Opera house was completed in 1903 and staged its first night on the 1st June 1903 with a four act domestic Drama Mrs Willoughbys Daughter, written by Mr Frank Stayton, at the time one of England's youngest playwrights, this play had previously been performed at the Brighton Theatre Royal and The Avenue Theatre London.

The interior is especially richly decorated and includes many stunning features such as Polished Mahogany Doors, White Marble Grand Staircase, Polished Alabaster scrolls on Red Marble bases, Turkish Carpets, Silk Tapastries, Inlaid Mosaic floors and ceilings with richly carved and raised plaster work and many very fine Artistic Panels all surrounded with gilding, In the 1970's like many theatres that survived around the country, the Opera House was used as a Cinema and smoking was allowed in the auditorium which added to the wear and tear on the interior but after extensive restoration work costing £480,000 it re-opened its doors in July 1979 with the building returned back to its former glory.

The Opera House is something that the Town is very proud to have and it's diverse range of productions encompass just about everything from the World Famous Buxton Festival through Pantomime, Gilbert & Sullivan, Famous Bands, Comedians, Chinese State Circus, Children's Productions and much more. This is all achieved by a dedicated full time staff and a team of volunteers who will show you to your seats, serve your interval refreshments and sell you a programme all with a smile, so if you intend to visit Buxton find out what's on its worth checking there might be something that takes your fancy and in magnificent surroundings as well.