Review: A Fairytale for Christmas at Buxton Opera House*

[Ad-gifted] A Fairytale for Christmas is a travelling show and has done back-to-back sell-out performances on both sides of the pond, and now presents an evening of Irish-themed Christmas music and dance at the lovely Opera House in Buxton.

The performance includes all your Christmas favourites as well as Christmas hits from the past, traditional Irish songs and some carols as well.

So keep on reading to find out how you can book tickets to this touring show.

The entertainment

Musicians and dancers took to the stage to deliver Riverdance-style performance backed by the vocal and musical talents of an Irish band. We were wowed on stage by five beautiful and well-choreographed dancers, two vocalists, a guitarist, a banjo player and a fiddle player – the latter of whom were also all great singers.

The stage backdrop was an Irish bar, in front of some fantastic-looking high-rise buildings that were atmospherically lit up and served as – I believe – the New York skyline. A lot of Irish emigrated to America and this was a nod to the heritage they brought, and possibly also a reference to the Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ which got a hearty rendition mid-set. The Irish bar was manned by a bartender, although we didn’t see him serving any cheeky drinks mid-set!

Expect to hear…

All the popular music Christmas hits, some lovely old Irish folksongs, the cheesiest Christmas medley and a couple of beautiful carols thrown in for good measure.

What we thought

The show had a good turnout on this windy evening, and despite the rain outside, the narrator, band and dancers soon brought on the Christmas vibes. They all worked very hard to bring together a fun show. A lot of grandparents were there (without the grandchildren, I must say) and they sang and clapped along as though it really was Christmas eve. The live band, I think, was only partly live. I hesitate to commit to this notion firmly, because there could have been some more folk hiding in the wings – but I suspect that the drums, bass, keyboard and penny whistle were piped music. I do like a live band! The fiddle player Caitlin Forbes was a delightful surprise, because as well as playing (sometimes while dancing), she also had a most excellent voice.

The dancers had regular costume changes to keep the scene fresh – we didn’t get enough of the LED-lit cape that appeared, though, which really did add some Christmas sparkle. The five girls were full of energy, always cheerful and beautifully rehearsed. The music tended to favour Christmas hits, and there were a few traditional Irish tunes in there. This is a show for real aficionados of Christmas pop music. Cheesy? I would say so. Entertaining? Most definitely. Suitable for your great aunt and your little niece alike, this is a family show that brings a healthy dose of light-hearted fun to town. Do they know it’s Christmas time in Buxton? They do now!

Dancers

Georgia Amery
Rachel Adele Bolsworth
Katie Tone
Erin Dallas
Isabelle Hazeldine
Hannah Rose Pendlebury

Creatives

Shane Morgan – Narrator
Oliver Cave – Vocalist
Peet Jackson – Multi-Instrumentalist/Vocals
Molly Farmer – Vocalist
Caitlin Forbes – Fiddle Player/Vocalist

How much are the tickets for A Fairytale for Christmas? 

Tickets are on sale now, priced from £15.75 to £34.50.  There is a discount of £2.50 off for seniors/equal access and half-price for children and students (but these groups are not allowed a discount for the Dress Circle seats). Other discounts offered through Matcham.

How do I book tickets to watch A Fairytale for Christmas?

Booking info: You can book tickets online, in person at the booking office or by phone. Call the Opera House on 01298 72190 or visit their website here. The booking office is normally open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays. When there is a performance, it is open until 8pm on weekdays, also 12pm to 6pm on Saturdays and 4pm to 8pm on Sundays.

You can catch the show at different dates and venues – including Victoria Hall, Stoke – also Manchester, Oxford, Torquay, York, Woking, Ramsgate and Edinburgh.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The performance was just for one night at Buxton Opera House, but they will continue their tour until 22 December 2025.

About Buxton Opera House

Buxton Opera House is a beautiful Edwardian theatre in Buxton, Derbyshire, England, designed by Frank Matcham. Opened in 1903, this Edwardian Baroque style building was later restored in 2001, It is one of the finest examples of his theatre design and is a key part of Buxton’s thriving cultural scene. The theatre hosts a diverse range of performances, including opera, musical concerts, comedy, and more. 

Review by: Metia Bethell

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Photo Credit: Buxton Opera House/Prestige Productions

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.