New fringe venue opens in Buxton: Underground theatre expansion

A new theatre and family show venue is set to open in Buxton as part of the 2024 Buxton Festival Fringe. The High Peak borough council has acquired The Springs, a 39-year-old retail center in the Derbyshire spa town, which will be transformed by Underground Venues into a space for performances.

Tom Crawshaw, the venue manager and playwright, expressed his excitement about the project, stating that the shopping center has the potential to be more than just a place for shops. He is looking forward to showcasing the possibilities of a fringe theatre venue in such a central location and sharing it with the people of Buxton.

Stephen Walker, the chair of Buxton Fringe, praised the return of Underground Venues, emphasizing its importance as a hub for young artists to kickstart their careers in the arts. He highlighted the variety of acts brought to the town by Underground over the years and expressed anticipation for the new performers that will be introduced to Buxton audiences.

The deadline to participate in Buxton Fringe is Sunday, April 14, with the festival scheduled to take place from Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 21. With the addition of the new venue, this year’s festival promises to offer a diverse and entertaining range of performances to the community of Buxton.