Planning well under way for 2021 festival

The leaves are turning brown and the nights are closing in, but at the Buxton International Festival office there are signs of life. 

The team is well into planning the 2021 festival after this summer’s event fell victim to Covid-19.

Director Michael Williams and his team were determined that this year’s show must go on.

And it did... with a virtual series of performances.

In an email letter to supporters, Michael wrote: “I know it was no substitute for a live performance or indeed for the experience of attending the festival, but it seemed that many of you appreciated our efforts.”

This year the Buxton International Festival faced its biggest challenge in its 41-year history. 

After a ‘cracking anniversary festival’ in 2019, the team was looking to repeat the success. But the pandemic prevented that.

However through the generosity of all those patrons who donated their festival ticket money, the support from Arts Council England and other donations received, the team is working on the following projects:

• Bringing the Salzburg State Theatre’s production of Viva la Diva! to Buxton 
   
• Planning an event in March with Multi-Story Orchestra, where Kate Whitley will present some of her music from the Opera Oratorio Our Future in Your Hands 
   
• The BIF Road Show will take to the countryside in spring, planning ‘mayhem and magic’ in four venues in Derbyshire, to inspire people to return to live performances and the 2021 Festival.  

Festival book director Vicky Dawson has already booked several authors for next year and with the book industry desperate to have a presence they are promising some big names at the festival next year. 

The team is committed to delivering the musical, A Little Night Music, with its Buxton Opera House partners. Next month they are building the sets and props which will be stored until they are needed in June next year. 

Added Michael: “There will come a time when we will meet again, and live performances brought to you by the Festival will return to the Buxton Opera House.

“Stay safe, stay healthy, stay inspired.”