Gypsy - Buxton Opera House

[BurlyBeaR]

Curtain Up, Light the Lights

Buxton Opera House and Buxton International Festival are delighted to present their second joint production, the legendary musical Gypsy, after the huge success of A Little Night Music.

With bitingly witty lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story) and iconic music by Jule Styne this is the perfect summer treat, directed by Paul Kerryson. Gypsy tells the true, humorous and powerful story of the rise to fame of Gypsy Rose Lee, star of 1930s burlesque and her tempestuous relationship with her ambitious mother Rose. Perhaps the best role in any musical, Rose is a force to be reckoned with as she throws all love interest aside, pushing her daughters June and Louise to stardom. Truly memorable songs include Let Me Entertain You, Everything’s Coming Up Roses, You Gotta Have a Gimmick and Some People. Not to be missed!

July 2022

[Being Alive]

Jo Riding to star as Rose

[jaggy]

Feb 28, 2022 15:17:29 GMT Being Alive said:

Jo Riding to star as Rose

I guess I'll be making my first trip to Buxton!

[BurlyBeaR]

I already booked so pleased to hear it’s a “name”.

Buxton is an hour by train from Manchester. From the south it’s the Avanti West coast line to Manchester but you get off at either Macclesfield for the bus, or Stockport for another train. It’s a bit of a trek, about 3 hours from London.

Only 8 performances spread over 2 weeks. 3 matinees.

[maggiem]

didn't get to A Little Night Music last year, as Leeds Playhouse had better dates. Just booked for this though, as I loved it at the Royal Exchange pre-covid.

[raiseitup]

Advice for someone down south... Is it conceivably possible to drive from the matinee (ending around 5pm) at Buxton Opera to Leeds Playhouse in time for the 7:30pm show? Google Maps tells me 1h 45 mins, but is that optimistic?

[BurlyBeaR]

Feb 28, 2022 17:26:04 GMT raiseitup said:

Advice for someone down south... Is it conceivably possible to drive from the matinee (ending around 5pm) at Buxton Opera to Leeds Playhouse in time for the 7:30pm show? Google Maps tells me 1h 45 mins, but is that optimistic?

Never done it but sounds optimistic for a Saturday and I wouldn’t  even consider it for the mid week matinee. Buxton is slap in the middle of the Peak District, single carriageway roads. I assume Google tells you to drive to Sheffield then get on the M1? I think it would be stressful. 

[Deleted]

Well that is me booked, I was in two minds as I feel I have seen a fair few productions or Gypsy over the last few years, but this casting had me running to the website. Just hope the book scenes are a bit tighter than Kerryson’s last Gypsy at Curve, the scenes (particularly in the second act) just dragged on and on

[mrbarnaby]

Very tempted to see this. Would love to see JR take on this role

[bimse]

Feb 28, 2022 17:37:08 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Feb 28, 2022 17:26:04 GMT raiseitup said:

Advice for someone down south... Is it conceivably possible to drive from the matinee (ending around 5pm) at Buxton Opera to Leeds Playhouse in time for the 7:30pm show? Google Maps tells me 1h 45 mins, but is that optimistic?

Never done it but sounds optimistic for a Saturday and I wouldn’t  even consider it for the mid week matinee. Buxton is slap in the middle of the Peak District, single carriageway roads. I assume Google tells you to drive to Sheffield then get on the M1? I think it would be stressful. 

Very optimistic, Buxton is well away from the nearest motorway in either direction , my route planner gives the quickest route at 2 hours 12 minutes (via Sheffield and the M1) , then there’s the often horrendous traffic to contend with . I wouldn’t risk it .

[distantcousin]

Feb 28, 2022 19:45:44 GMT @reeceyroo said:

Well that is me booked, I was in two minds as I feel I have seen a fair few productions or Gypsy over the last few years, but this casting had me running to the website. Just hope the book scenes are a bit tighter than Kerryson’s last Gypsy at Curve, the scenes (particularly in the second act) just dragged on and on

Indeed. I saw that version a few times as I was doing some work for Curve at the time, and if he's simply going to remount that version (minus the tech) then I don't think I'd travel to the Peaks to see it!

CRAZY to think that was 10 years ago! Caroline O'Connor was perfection though. And Victoria Hamilton Barritt was sensational.

[BurlyBeaR]

Hopefully Joanna will perform it without the gurning employed by Ms Staunton. Yep. I said it. GURNING. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Gypsy with Imelda at the Savoy, it was top drawer entertainment. But every time I watch it back on telly I’m taken aback by the facial expressions. Do not come for me, they were totally extra and you know it. 

I’ve only seen Joanna Riding in the dreadful Calendar Girls which was a load of old pants and didn’t show anyone in a positive light, so what can I expect from her interpretation of Mama Rose? 

[inthenose]

I remember liking her a lot in My Fair Lady when she was Martine McCutcheon's "understudy". But then I liked all of the Eliza's I saw and I preferred Laura Michelle Kelly and Katie Knight-Adams.

For a while back then she was a bit of a darling of the theatre world, and has worked solidly since, with a varied career in musicals.

However, since then I always seem to see her in shows I haven't particularly liked. The Pyjama Game, Billy Elliot, Stephen Ward and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg namely, which would go down as four of my least favourite West End shows come to think of it.

I won't be seeing this but she will give a professional, accomplished performance (and probably no gurning).

[mrbarnaby]

Mar 1, 2022 19:15:02 GMT inthenose said:

I remember liking her a lot in My Fair Lady when she was Martine McCutcheon's "understudy". But then I liked all of the Eliza's I saw and I preferred Laura Michelle Kelly and Katie Knight-Adams.

For a while back then she was a bit of a darling of the theatre world, and has worked solidly since, with a varied career in musicals.

However, since then I always seem to see her in shows I haven't particularly liked. The Pyjama Game, Billy Elliot, Stephen Ward and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg namely, which would go down as four of my least favourite West End shows come to think of it.

I won't be seeing this but she will give a professional, accomplished performance (and probably no gurning).

She’s certainly been in her fair share of stinkers but she’s highly accomplished and deserves to tackle this role.

[distantcousin]

Mar 1, 2022 19:02:15 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Hopefully Joanna will perform it without the gurning employed by Ms Staunton. Yep. I said it. GURNING. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Gypsy with Imelda at the Savoy, it was top drawer entertainment. But every time I watch it back on telly I’m taken aback by the facial expressions. Do not come for me, they were totally extra and you know it. 

I’ve only seen Joanna Riding in the dreadful Calendar Girls which was a load of old pants and didn’t show anyone in a positive light, so what can I expect from her interpretation of Mama Rose? 

She wiped the floor with Imelda when she took over from her in Follies. 

She's naturalistic, earthy yet classy, and has a wide emotional range.


I also loved her as Nettie in Carousel last year. 

[Being Alive]

Yes, she was certainly better as Sally than Imelda and I can definitely see her as Rose.

Jo is always the highlight of whatever show she is in!

[BurlyBeaR]

Mar 2, 2022 13:14:28 GMT distantcousin said:

Mar 1, 2022 19:02:15 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Hopefully Joanna will perform it without the gurning employed by Ms Staunton. Yep. I said it. GURNING. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Gypsy with Imelda at the Savoy, it was top drawer entertainment. But every time I watch it back on telly I’m taken aback by the facial expressions. Do not come for me, they were totally extra and you know it. 

I’ve only seen Joanna Riding in the dreadful Calendar Girls which was a load of old pants and didn’t show anyone in a positive light, so what can I expect from her interpretation of Mama Rose? 

She wiped the floor with Imelda when she took over from her in Follies. 

She's naturalistic, earthy yet classy, and has a wide emotional range.


I also loved her as Nettie in Carousel last year. 

Oh yes!i saw that and forgot she was in it. 

[jaggy]

Anyone seen anything in this venue before?

I was wondering what the view was like from Row D in the Upper Circle. I’m worried that the balcony will obstruct some of the stage due to the height of the seats.

[BurlyBeaR]

Mar 2, 2022 18:36:16 GMT jaggy said:

Anyone seen anything in this venue before?

I was wondering what the view was like from Row D in the Upper Circle. I’m worried that the balcony will obstruct some of the stage due to the height of the seats.

There are some images here. No pics from row D but there’s some from further up

images.tickets.com/images/primarysales/gpl/BUXT_VOS.html

[jaggy]

Mar 2, 2022 18:55:14 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Mar 2, 2022 18:36:16 GMT jaggy said:

Anyone seen anything in this venue before?

I was wondering what the view was like from Row D in the Upper Circle. I’m worried that the balcony will obstruct some of the stage due to the height of the seats.

There are some images here. No pics from row D but there’s some from further up

images.tickets.com/images/primarysales/gpl/BUXT_VOS.html

This is exactly what I was looking for. Very helpful. Thank you!

[actorsinger]

Might be showing my age here, but Joanna Riding was most definitely not Martine’s understudy. Her understudy was a girl called Alexandra Jay who I believe isn’t in the business anymore. Joanna took over in a cast change and went on to win an Olivier.

[Deleted]

Mar 1, 2022 15:44:07 GMT distantcousin said:

Feb 28, 2022 19:45:44 GMT @reeceyroo said:

Well that is me booked, I was in two minds as I feel I have seen a fair few productions or Gypsy over the last few years, but this casting had me running to the website. Just hope the book scenes are a bit tighter than Kerryson’s last Gypsy at Curve, the scenes (particularly in the second act) just dragged on and on

Indeed. I saw that version a few times as I was doing some work for Curve at the time, and if he's simply going to remount that version (minus the tech) then I don't think I'd travel to the Peaks to see it!

CRAZY to think that was 10 years ago! Caroline O'Connor was perfection though. And Victoria Hamilton Barritt was sensational.

Oh blooming heck, I suddenly feel old!!! Absolutely fell in love with Caroline O'Connor after this though, sensational. Was gutted she pulled out of the next years production of Hello Dolly

[inthenose]

Mar 3, 2022 11:40:07 GMT actorsinger said:

Might be showing my age here, but Joanna Riding was most definitely not Martine’s understudy. Her understudy was a girl called Alexandra Jay who I believe isn’t in the business anymore. Joanna took over in a cast change and went on to win an Olivier.

Apologies - I actually saw both. I really loved that production.

[ilovewemusicals]

Didn’t expect this. Buxton Opera House just replied to my comment on their status. David Leonard is playing Herbie. I saw him in Matilda in London as Miss Trunchbull.

Monique Young is Louise and Hannah Everest is June.

[theatremiss]

Mar 2, 2022 13:14:28 GMT distantcousin said:

Mar 1, 2022 19:02:15 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Hopefully Joanna will perform it without the gurning employed by Ms Staunton. Yep. I said it. GURNING. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Gypsy with Imelda at the Savoy, it was top drawer entertainment. But every time I watch it back on telly I’m taken aback by the facial expressions. Do not come for me, they were totally extra and you know it. 

I’ve only seen Joanna Riding in the dreadful Calendar Girls which was a load of old pants and didn’t show anyone in a positive light, so what can I expect from her interpretation of Mama Rose? 

She wiped the floor with Imelda when she took over from her in Follies. 

She's naturalistic, earthy yet classy, and has a wide emotional range.


I also loved her as Nettie in Carousel last year. 

And don’t forget The Pajama Game, she was superb in that