Fry steps in as programmer at Buxton

Published: 26 October 2013
Reporter: Steve Orme

David Fry who is in charge of the programme at Buxton Opera House until June 2014

Buxton Opera House has appointed an interim programmer after the departure of chief executive Andrew Aughton.

David Fry who used to be artistic programmer at the Lowry in Salford is sorting out the programme at Buxton until June 2014.

Aughton recently left the Opera House after 15 years, saying that his tenure had been “a huge pleasure and privilege”.

A spokesman for the Opera House said Aughton’s departure had allowed the Opera House to “take the opportunity to look at the management structure”.

He added, “We’ve had a difficult time but the board is confident we’ve weathered the storm and we’re in good health. Audiences have held up well.”

It follows a police investigation into the theft of money from Buxton Opera House over a period of 14 months.

Funds were stolen, it is alleged, from a bank account between April 2012 and June 2013, when staff at the Opera House reported the incident to police.

Derbyshire Police have confirmed that a 45-year-old man from Cheshire has been arrested on suspicion of theft, questioned and released on bail while inquiries continue.

The Opera House spokesman stressed that Andrew Aughton was not implicated in the police investigation.

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