Grange Park Opera

FAQs

I would like to support Grange Park Opera?
It's very easy. You can donate online, or you may download a Support Form or the opera office can send you one to complete. There are various levels of support ranging from £200 up to £1100 per year.

What is Gift Aid?
Grange Park Opera is a charity (1068046). Any UK tax payer wishing to make a donation to a recognised UK charity, large or small, regular or one-off, can use Gift Aid to increase their donation.

You just need to give a simple Gift Aid declaration and pay enough tax to cover the amount reclaimed. The charity then claims back the basic rate income tax you have already paid. If you are a higher rate taxpayer, you can claim a personal benefit - worth 23 pence for every £1 donated. You can either claim this as a personal benefit or choose to give it to charity.

Anyone who has paid enough income tax or capital gains tax in the current financial year to cover the amount reclaimed by the charity can use Gift Aid. So, if you give £100 you need to have paid at least £28 in income tax or capital gains tax. You need to complete a simple declaration, giving the charity your name, full address and an acknowledgement that you are aware of the requirement to have paid enough tax. This can be done by giving a simple declaration in writing, over the phone or online. If you are a higher rate taxpayer, you can reclaim 18% personal tax relief (the higher rate, 40% minus the basic rate, 22%) on your donation. This works out at 23 pence for every pound you donate. Since April 2003, higher rate taxpayers have been able to claim this in their tax return for the previous year, rather than wait until they complete the return for the year the gift was made.

How do I get to The Grange?
For maps and directions please go to Getting to The Grange.

Is the theatre enclosed?
Yes. Performances at The Grange are staged inside the smaller Greek temple in a theatre that won many architectural awards.

What if it's raining?
Even on a rainy day, you can enjoy excellent opera and a festive atmosphere. The theatre is a permanent structure and once you are inside, you are oblivious to the elements.

Half the audience dines in the restaurant inside the mansion - which is elegantly ruinous - but watertight. More about restaurant dining. The 53 metre Long Marquee (with tables and chairs) is large enough for all picnickers. On a fine day, many picnic on the terraces or the parterre. More about picnics. The champagne bar is normally in the magnificent Doric portico. If there is rain, it is moved inside the mansion.

Is there a plan to restore The Grange?
The house is the responsibility of English Heritage. They have made it safe and put on a new roof but believe that being able to see the skeleton of the house and its various architectural phases is of huge interest.

I've lost my tickets? Help!
Call the box office on 01962 73 73 66 to let them know. Duplicate tickets can be posted or collected from the box office on the day. Each performance day we have a nightly list and we can tell at glance where your seats are in the theatre.

I have a guest with walking difficulties. Can I get permission to drop them off nearer to the theatre?
Please inform the opera office at the time of booking so that we can make your visit as smooth as possible. You will be sent a letter which explains our Drop Off procedure and a notice for your windscreen. It is no longer possible to drive down to the Goldfish garden on arrival. However, you may collect your guests with limited mobility from the Goldfish garden at the end of the performance.

Seat Widths?
If you are unable to fit into a single seat you will need to talk to the box office and possibly purchase additional seating. Some of the loose seating in boxes provides greater flexibility.

What should I wear?
Most guests prefer to wear evening dress (black tie/long or short dress). Men who do not wish to wear black tie may opt for any stylish alternative. A shawl or wrap is useful for the cooler evenings.

Where do I picnic?
You may picnic in the Long Marquee or hire a private Indian Pavilion which seats 8 - 12 people. For more details call the opera office on 01962 73 73 68. Alternatively you may sit anywhere in the grounds. There are beautiful wirework benches dotted around for your use or you might like to bring your own folding table and chairs.

Can you tell me running times of the productions?
We don't tend to know this information until much nearer the opening night. But as a guide, most operas finish by about 9.30pm.