Review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at Buxton Opera House*

[Ad-gifted] Magic, adventure and a little chaos come together in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, currently delighting audiences at Buxton Opera House. Based on the timeless tale of a young apprentice whose misuse of magic leads to unexpected consequences, this production brings the classic story to life with creativity, humour and theatrical charm.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Buxton Opera House, the show aims to entertain audiences of all ages with its imaginative storytelling and engaging performances. But does this latest adaptation successfully capture the magic of the beloved story?

Read on for my full review to find out.

In 1797 Johann Goethe wrote Der Zauberlehrling (the sorcerer’s apprentice) – a poem with a moral at its heart: respect learning and wisdom, and do not meddle with magic – a cautionary tale for most youngsters! In the poem, the naughty apprentice enchants a broom to do the chores while the Hexenmeister – master of hex – is away, and causes a flood. Much later, Disney featured the story in their 1940 animated film, Fantasia, and Nicolas Cage had a starring role in a 2010 adaption which took the story in a completely different direction.

The action

Tonight’s performance is a musical arrangement of the traditional story by Cahoots (NI). It is a family musical, suitable for children aged six and over, and it captures the story beautifully. Philippa O’Hara plays the sorcerer’s apprentice, Gunda, an ordinary schoolgirl with extraordinary powers. Wearing a fantastic cloak of forest hues and lighting her way through the forest with a lamp, Gunda discovers her powers through a series of dramatic events. Her family has fallen on hard times, for her father (played by James Grimm) has been condemned to what seems like an eternal sleep after an accident cutting wood in the forest, and her mother (Orla Gormley) cannot put enough food on the table for them. It is in the forest that Gunda realises her future, meets a talking wolf, is warned by the bitter former apprentice, Marith (Jennifer Hague) to stay away, and stumbles upon the cave of the sorcerer himself (Nimshi Kongolo).

What we thought of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice?

We attended this as a family of four – mum, dad, older teenage daughter and younger teenage son. Every one of us loved this show. It’s undoubtedly one of the most creative and magical productions I have seen yet. So often you are asked to ‘use your imagination’ where props and backdrops are limited. It can be a tough call to recreate outdoor life with the limits of an indoor stage, even more so to produce magic. The audience often relies on the atmosphere of a beautiful venue and the suspension of disbelief to carry the storyline.

This show, however, has breathtaking magic in abundance. It has the wow factor – it left us wondering how did they do that? To literally make magic on stage and it work exactly like you would read about it in a storybook is some feat to pull off. And it was beautifully executed, too – perfectly paced, perfectly proportioned. The smoking books, the dancing brooms… Mrs Fumble (Christina Nelson) levitating into the air… and my absolute favourite, the translucent dancing spirits that enacted the sorcerer’s words as he told Marith’s story to Gunda.

Talking of the sorcerer, Nimshi Kongolo brought a benevolent warmth to his character that gave the master of hex a real feel of protector and guardian as well as a man of great power (and great height, too, I may add). It was a fun twist to have Gunda’s fellow schoolmates in the audience right next to us, bouncing onto the stage from their seats in the audience. And although this story has Germanic roots, the cast brought the lilt of Ireland with them, which is genuinely pleasing to hear.

This is a thoroughly captivating and mesmerising play. The most sceptical, unconvinced child, the adult who isn’t really a theatre-goer will love it alike – even your teenagers will drop their phones for this! I would happily watch it again. And at 90 minutes long, it is just right for youngsters to enjoy yet long enough to let the story unfold.

Cast of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Philippa O’Hara – Gunda
Nimshi Kongolo – The Sorcerer
Jennifer Hague – Marith
Christina Nelson – Mrs Fumble
James Grimm – Dad
Orla Gormley – Mum
Iris Schmid/Emily Essery – Puppeteers

Creatives of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Written by Laura Lindow
Music by Kate Doherty
Writer Charles Way
Director Paul Bosco McEneaney
Puppetry Designer and Director Helen Foan
Music Produced by Score Draw
Songs composed by Fiona O’Kane and a score by Fiona O’Kane and Neve Hutchinson
Set and Costume Design Diana Ennis
Illusion Design Guy Barrett
Lighting Design Simon Bond
Prop and Set Design David Morgan
Audio Engineer Bethany Tays
Production Manager Ross McDade
Stage Manager Amy Smyth
On Stage Technician Declan King

How much are the tickets for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice? 

The show runs until 6 June. Ticket prices start at £20.00. School tickets/children are £15 each and Matcham members get 12% off.

How do I book tickets to watch The Sorcerer’s Apprentice?

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 buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.

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.

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

The performance will be running until Saturday, 6 June 2026 at 7pm with matinee shows on Wednesday at 1pm, Saturday at 2.30pm at Buxton Opera House. The show has a running time of 90 minutes. There is a 20-minute interval.

Where is Buxton Opera House?

Water street
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 6XN
boxoffice@boh.org.uk

Parking/Drinks

There are plenty of pay-and-display off-road parking spaces available round the venue (but please make sure that you avoid the Residents Parking Scheme areas), but these get taken fairly quickly. There are free parking after 6pm in the car park behind Pavilion Gardens, a short walk from both venues.  Alternatively, you can park in the large two-storey car park off Burlington Road and take a pleasant five-minute walk down to the venue past the Pavilion Arts Centre, or through the park.  Electric car charging is available at The Lee Wood Hotel and The Old Manse Guesthouse at the discretion of the guesthouse/hotel.

Drinks are available from one of the bars at the Opera House. Ice creams are also usually served. Just outside the Opera House is the Old Club House, where you can get food. There is also a selection of bars and restaurants nearby, especially along the Quadrant.

The train station is also a ten minute walk from the Opera House and operates a regular service from Manchester Piccadilly calling at all stations to Buxton.

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/Melissa Gordon

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