The Land of Might-Have-Been at Buxton Opera House

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

The Land of Might-Have-Been

7-21 July 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

The Land of Might-Have-Been
Image courtesy of Buxton Opera House and Norwich Theatres.
Book now

Head to the picturesque Derbyshire hills this summer for the world premiere of a ground-breaking new musical at Buxton Opera House. With a stellar cast that includes Olivier Award nominee Audrey Brisson, star of the hit West End show Amelie the Musical, this brand-new production promises to be one of the hottest tickets this summer.

Elegant and bold, The Land of Might-Have-Been, with book and lyrics by Michael Williams, is inspired by the early life of the pioneering English writer, feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain, who lived most of her early life in the region.

The story starts out in Buxton during the summer of 1914. A time of balmy light nights, ragtime and thrilling debutante balls; where chaperones were the curse of every young woman in love and the call of King and Country ignited the imaginations of young men everywhere.

Built around the songs of Ivor Novello, the production is set during the first part of the twentieth century and is loosely based on the experiences of Vera and her brother Edward.

The musical follows the lives of Vera, her soon-to-be fiancé Roland, and Vera’s brother Edward and their close friend Bobbie. Although, young and ambitious, with glittering futures ahead of them, they also face the prejudices and conventions of their time.

A story of love, hope and defiance, this brand-new production brings together the legacies of two truly inspirational people.

Determined not to become a traditional young married woman, Vera wants to attend Oxford University and live an independent life. Meanwhile, her brother Edward dreams of becoming a musician and composer but must conceal his love for Bobbie from his family and society. Roland wants to be an acclaimed poet and study at Oxford University and Bobbie, although compelled to follow his father, wants to find a new way of life to include Edward. Incidentally, we’ve been told that this is the first time that Novello’s love songs, which we understand were written for his life partner Bobbie Andrews, will be performed by two men in the context of a gay relationship.

Starring the phenomenal Audrey Bisson as Vera, this eagerly-awaited co-production by Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre also boasts an outstanding creative team. Written by Michael Williams, co-creator of the UK Theatre Award-winning opera Georgiana, the show will be directed by Kimberley Sykes and conducted by Iwan Davies, with arrangements and additional compositions by Iain Farrington.

A story of love, hope and defiance, this brand-new production brings together the legacies of two truly inspirational people – one of the most successful musical figures of the 20th century, Ivor Novello and the trailblazing author of Testament of Youth, Vera Brittain. Tackling themes of forbidden love and lost opportunity, The Land of Might-Have-Been promises to be a beautiful piece of theatre and a definite highlight of Buxton International Festival 2023.

The Land of Might-Have-Been at BIF

Where to go near The Land of Might-Have-Been at Buxton Opera House

Chinatown
Restaurant
Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

Come to Swithens Farm for a great family day out in Leeds. Our farm has plenty to offer whatever age you are!Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around. We now have a farm shop, café, playbarn and petting farm. When we first opened we only had the usual farm animals – cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and it was free entry. We now have llamas, alpacas, meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs, donkeys and a pony.On the working farm, we breed our own cows, pigs and sheep and we sell the meat through the farm shop and the café. If you buy a sausage sandwich from the café the sausage will be from the butcher who has made the sausage by hand using our own pork. We also produce our own free-range eggs.
Leeds
Swithens Farm

Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around.

Peak District
Restaurant
The Chequers Inn

The Chequers Inn is a 16th century, family-run, traditional country inn with an impressive dining space. The Peak District at its best.

Testbed Main Space
Leeds
Event venue
TESTBED

TESTBED is a newly renovated 10,000 sq foot event venue in Leeds that offers endless possibilities for creating unique and inspiring experiences.

Manchester
Restaurant
Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

The Warehouse In Holbeck
Leeds
Event venue
The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

Leeds
Event venue
The Attic

Tucked away above the bustle of Merrion Street, The Attic is one of Leeds’ most distinctive small venues – intimate, unpretentious, and steeped in DIY spirit.

What's on: Theatre

Black Power Desk at Lowry
TheatreMediaCityUK
Black Power Desk at Lowry

Following a sell-out premiere at Brixton House, this bold new musical brings the hidden history of Britain’s Black Power movement to Salford.

From £16.00

Culture Guides

Cinema in the North

A host of Halloween horrors, experimental shorts, plus pioneering black British cinema make our October Cinema Guide.

Music in the North

Noise, excess and immediacy. From New York’s experimental underground to the most vital sounds of local scenes, autumn gigs are coming in heavy.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Theatre this month bursts with contrasts - from bold new writing and Black History Month highlights to contemporary arts and reimagined classics.

Exhibitions in the North

Galleries around the North are gearing up for a new season of exhibitions - from iconic art prizes to smaller, artist-led gems.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...