Organisers have confirmed that the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will return to Buxton in 2015—but only for one week.
The month-long International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival which used to be held in Derbyshire will be staged in Harrogate in August 2014 after festival chairman Ian Smith said rising costs at Buxton Opera House had forced the move.
The festival will again be held in Harrogate in 2015 but there will also be a week-long programme in Buxton.
It is expected that Buxton Opera House will host three new productions of The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore from 4 until 9 August.
Ian Smith said, “The move from Buxton to Harrogate this year was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make in the 21 years of the festival.
“The economic problems which everyone faced in 2012 and 2013 created major losses for the festival and to survive we had to make difficult decisions.
“We’re delighted that our agreement with the Opera House means we haven’t severed our relationship with Buxton and our many friends and supporters in the town.”
Stella McCabe, interim chief executive of Buxton Opera House and the Pavilion Arts Centre, welcomed the outcome of the discussions.
“I’m delighted that this means we’ll be able to offer local enthusiasts and visitors to the town the best Gilbert and Sullivan from the people who‘ve been organising it for the past 20 years.
“It’s a really positive outcome for all parties. We're looking forward to welcoming Ian and his team back next year and we have something to build on for the future.”