The waters of Buxton run Deep

Water flows through Buxton and forms the bedrock of its history and its existence.

As Buxton prepares to renew its relationship with water with the opening of the Buxton Crescent Spa, Buxton Opera House has joined forces with The Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust in creating an innovative new play, Deep, set in Buxton.

Inspired by the legend of the Buxton Mermaid this brand new play is penned by award winning writer Rob Young, who has previously been commissioned to write scripts for the BBC, Channel 4 and the National Theatre.

Deep tells the story of Jan, a Buxton teenager rejected by his peers and is unable to cope with his father’s illness. Jan finds solace in a voice that speaks from the deep. The voice is kind, but is it a trap? Or psychosis? Or love? And how do you date a girl who lives underwater when you can’t swim?

Based in Buxton, Deep, also features local young performers in the roles of the teenagers. Together they deliver the speaking parts and form a fluid ensemble, like a shoal of fish gliding through water.

Directed by Kitty Randle, the artistic director of award-winning REC Youth Theatre Company, Kitty is passionate about her involvement in this project, “With the collaborations between so many local art organisations, this is such an exciting play for Buxton.”

Kitty who has been involved with the Learning and Engagement programme at Buxton Opera House since 2017 has nothing but enthusiasm for this project “I was instantly captivated not only by writing in this piece, but the movement which explores water visually. This production really is quite special”.

Deep is at Buxton Opera House on Sunday 26 January at 7pm

Tickets are priced at £15. Discounts are not available. To buy tickets contact Buxton Opera House Box Office, Tel: 01298 72190 or visit: www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk