As one of Berkshire’s leading entertainment venue’s, Corn Exchange Newbury have announced the exciting line-up for their Summer 2024 season. The April-July line up will include an exciting array of award-winning plays and children’s theatre, comedy gems, acclaimed music tributes, and more, by both beloved returning companies and Newbury newcomers.
Kicking off a fantastic theatre season will be a riotous twist on the classic comedy tale The Importance of Being…Earnest (25th – 26th April), from the award-winning interactive theatre company Say It Again, Sorry? Named one of The Times’ must-see shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2023, Six Chick Flicks (1st May) will parody your favourite – or least favourite – chick flicks in one hysterical show. Returning to Newbury with a critically-acclaimed retelling of the classic Greek tale, Ad Infinitum’s Beautiful Evil Things (4th – 5th June) presents an untold take of the Trojan War through the eyes of Medusa.
To kick off this line-up of exciting family shows will be There’s a Monster in Your Show (2nd – 5th April), an enchanting stage adaptation of Tom Fletcher’s beloved picture book series. Magic, puppets, and interactive storytelling will delight in another page to stage adaptation in The Museum of Marvellous Things (11th April), followed by London’s longest running and multi-award winning theatre magic show, West End Magic (12th April), as well as baby sensory show Kaleidoscope (20th April), inviting parents and children to experience a multi-coloured wonderland. Animal lovers will delight in the roar-some Amazing Animals (29th May), an immersive audiovisual celebration of all creatures great and small.
Fireman Sam: The Great Camping Adventure (2nd June) sees Sam and his fireman friends save the day when a camping trip goes awry! In a co-production from Little Angel Theatre, the Lowry, and Rose
Theatre, Julia Donaldson’s Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (21st – 23rd June) invites audiences to discover the magical worlds that lie inside books through puppetry and music.
Celebrating British musical phenomenon, Shape of You: The Music of Ed Sheeran (13th April) journeys audiences through the singer’s diverse repertoire, also featuring the music of George Ezra in a thrilling opening set.
Recently featured on BBC 6 Music’s The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, The Signatures: Northern Soul Live (19th April) promises a journey through the timeless sounds of Northern Soul music, while Frankie’s Guys (3rd May), featuring stars from the global smash-hit musical Jersey Boys, perform the greatest hits from the Four Seasons, and the UK’s number one pop concert experience Pop Divas Live! (28th May) features music from the greatest popstars of the 21st century, from Taylor Swift to Olivia Rodrigo.
Stepping out on his first solo tour is Tommy Blaize (1st June), lead singer on Strictly Come Dancing for 20 glorious years, followed by an evening of back-to-back hits from the 1950s and 60s in Lipstick on Your Collar (8th June). In a stunning tribute to Karen Carpenter, The Carpenters: Voice of the Heart (20th June) celebrates the group’s amazing catalogue of hit songs, and the world’s leading tribute to Coldplay, Cold Place (27th June), will recreate the magic of the band’s record-breaking live tours – featuring lasers and confetti! The UK’s longest running Musical Theatre Concert Tour Beyond the Barricade (4th July) will celebrate the best of the West End, and its 25th anniversary, in Newbury, and in a must-see concert for Bowie fans, Bowie Experience (5th July) arrives direct from the West End to celebrate all the hits from Z to Ziggy. Celebrate the sound of a generation, with triumphant hits and dazzling staging in The Magic of Motown (6th July), while the fabulous Bad Boys of Country (12th July) present a stomp-along, sing-along, and clap-along extravaganza with the very best of both old and new country stars.
‘Let’s be avin’ ya’ at Indie Explosion (18th July) as audiences will be transported back to the electrifying era of the nineties in an evening of Britpop fun, while all dancing queens won’t want to miss Thank You for the Music (19th July), the international smash-hit tribute show entering its 21st year touring. Seen in 50 countries worldwide and following sold-out shows in the West End, The Simon & Garfunkel Story (20th July) is set to stun Newbury’s audiences, and featuring a sensational live band and stunning vocals, Lost in Music: One Night at the Disco (27th July) will celebrate the heart of disco and recreate the magic of the ‘70s.
Get ready to laugh out loud with a series of fantastic comedy evenings, presented by The Comedy Network (5th April, 31st May, 13th July). In Rosie Holt: That’s Politainment! (12th April), this brand-new show sees acclaimed comedian and satirist Rosie balance the thin line between politics and entertainment, while Andy Parsons: Bafflingly Optimistic (27th April) arrives in Newbury after a sensational Fringe run. Following his last successful international tour, Griff Rhys Jones: The Cat’s Pyjamas (8th – 9th May) presents his revolutionary new comedy show, and Rich Hall: Shot from Cannons (10th May) returns to Newbury, fresh off the heels of his critically acclaimed memoir Nailing It. Star of ITV’s hit sitcom Buffering, Steve Bugeja: Self Doubt (I Think) (7th June) brings his show on the road following a sell-out 2022 tour and a critically acclaimed run at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe. Returning to Newbury, touring sensations The Scummy Mummies: Greatest Hits (3rd July) will present a night of their most-loved songs, sketches, and stand-up.
KVN Dance Company present a beautiful reimagining of the beloved classical ballet Coppelia (18th April), Sanskruti Dance will present Magical Honey (5th May), an enchanting presentation of dance, magic, storytelling, and live music. Direct from London’s West End, An Evening of Burlesque (29th June) blends cabaret, comedy, and circus for an ultimate evening of glitz and glamour, and Rhythm of the Dance (25th July) will make a stop in Newbury as part of its global tour, journeying audiences through Ireland’s history with captivating choreography and live vocalists.
Community remains at the heart of the Corn Exchange’s programming, beginning with the Corn Exchange Intermediate Youth Theatre’s production of Zero for the Young Dudes (16th April), an exhilarating play following a group of young inmates at an unusual summer camp. The Young Performers Showcase (26th June) will entertain with an evening of dance, theatre, and music celebrating local talent from schools and colleges around West Berkshire , while Corn Exchange’s Infant and Junior Youth Theatre will present a dazzling production of The Jungle Book (2nd – 4th August).
Step inside the UK’s major centre for the development of outdoor arts and work for public spaces at 101 Outdoor Arts. This unique creation space on Greenham Business Park in responsible for many spectacular outdoor arts programmes all over the country, including right at home in Newbury, featuring fire, giant puppets, deft defying circus, dance, and more. 101 Outdoor Arts also offer training, internships, workshop, and volunteering for people of all ages and abilities. Step inside the rehearsal room and explore the facilities at the Open Day (14th May) and discover the inner workings of this incredible space.
Corn Exchange’s Learning Centre will host an assortment of fantastic courses, classes, and creative opportunities this season. Tots Create, Messy Stories and My First Notes offer under-4s the chance to explore everything creative, and the popular Create and Make holiday club provide children with a variety of hands-on activities over the school holidays. As the weather warms up, Uplift Dance and Urban Sketching will take place outdoors. For children and families, head over to The Base, Greenham for Little Artists After School Club and Summer Sketchbook sessions, as well as Pottery Taster sessions and Experimental Landscapes for adults!
Also at The Base will be Alistair Duncan: Interactive Tapestry Weaving (7th Jun – 14th Jul), a change to witness the fusion of craft and technology in a series of inspiring interactive tapestries. Over one hundreds artists will also exhibit their work at this year’s Open Studios: Insight 2024 (4th – 27th May), giving visitors a taster to help choose which artists to visit as part of the wider Open Studios 2024. The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year (1st March – 14th April) will also stop at The Base, with extended hours over the Easter holidays. For a full list of activities and dates across The Base, please visit cornexchangenew.com/season/the-base.
Full season information can be found at https://cornexchangenew.com/
