The Corn Exchange in Newbury, West Berkshire is an Arts Centre and presents a mixed programme of theatre, dance, comedy, film and more. The Corn Exchange includes a 400 seat auditorium, a 40 seat cinema and a cafe and bar. It also has a unique outdoor arts creation centre for larger scale outdoor performances.
This October half term, there are shows for all the family, plus something a little spookier. There will also be Pumpkin Carving to celebrate Halloween in style on Sunday 27th October 2024.
Daydreams and Jellybeans
This sparkling dance production showcases the talents of Alex Wharton himself, reading, rapping and rhyming his way through mischievous adventures, melancholy musings and Jellybean drama. There will be outstanding ballet aimed at the young and the young at heart. There will also be a pre-show workshop where you can create your own magical daydream mobile of your own! It is showing on Sunday 3 November at 3pm. Tickets are £16.25 | £14.25 concessions. Book tickets.
What can we expect in the pre-show workshop?
Lots of arts and crafts with guidance from the Corn Exchange Newbury’s professional practioner and artist Gemma Kirby. Children taking part will be able to make a magical
daydream mobile to take home for their room after the show.
Do we need to be familiar with the poems before coming to the show?
Familiarity with the poems prior to the show could be useful, but it is not imperative. The poems are wonderful and very visual, and each time you read them you can experience a different feeling or thought. However, the show contains live narration by the author himself, Alex Wharton, as well as live integrated BSL interpretation, so if you are experiencing the poems for the first time during the show you do not need to worry. Each poem creates a different world, but tying all of the worlds together is a group of school children, as depicted by the dancers of Ballet Cymru.
Is the show designed to be thought provoking?
The show is fun and funny – it takes us on a journey through the mind of the poet, Alex Wharton, as he explores annoying hedgehogs, horses on the toilet and even slugs!
However, there are also poems which talks about leaves floating on the wind, and the proud strength and resilience of the lion. So hopefully, the show will make you laugh, think, and be moved by this strange and wonderful world.
Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show
If you think science is boring, think again. This is science like you’ve never seen it before! Mark Thompson Spectacular Science Show explores the magical properties of matter with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins and even howling jelly babies! This show was awarded Best Kid’s Show at the Edinburgh Fringe by The Derek Awards – and promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way! It is showing on Saturday 2 November at 2pm. Tickets are £19.25 | £17.25 concessions. Book tickets.
What are we going to expect from the show?
Suitable for both children and adults, this award-winning show dives into the fascinating world of matter with exciting experiments that will leave you amazed. From the explosive fun of elephant’s toothpaste to the mesmerizing sight of vortex-generating dustbins and even the hilarious antics of howling jelly babies, this show combines entertainment with education in the most spectacular way. Winner of the ‘Best Kid’s Show at Edinburgh Fringe’ by The Derek Awards, it promises a high-energy, unforgettable journey into the magical side of science!
Is this a great way to get kids to be interested in science?
Mark Thompsons’s Spectacular Science Show is the perfect way to ignite a passion for science in children, making learning fun and exciting. By turning complex concepts like the properties of matter into visually stunning and interactive experiments, the show captures kid’s imaginations while sneaking in valuable lessons.
Why is science so important in school?
Science is crucial in school because it develops critical thinking, develops children’s curiosity, and promotes evidence-based decision-making. It helps students understand the natural world, supports technological advances, and prepares them for their future careers and lifestyle, while also encouraging environmental awareness and teamwork.
Casting The Runes
You are invited to the edge of your seat, on a journey to the darkest corners of the night. This chilling adaptation of M.R James’ classic ghost stories features remarkable puppetry and a haunting original soundtrack. One not to see alone! Casting The Runes is on Tuesday 29 October at 7:30pm. Tickets are £18.25 | £16.25 concession. Get tickets.
Are we expecting some scary scenes?
Absolutely! ‘Casting the Runes’ is a supernatural thriller based on the stories of M.R.James, the grandfather of British horror. If you’re a fan of the original then we think you’ll be blown away by what we’ve done to bring it to life on stage. This is a ghost story, so if our audiences’ hearts are beating a bit faster, then we’re doing our job right! It’s not full of jump scares, it isn’t that kind of story, it’s about the steady build of dread and tension – when the main character finally accepts that something supernatural is pursuing him, is it too late to do anything about it? When it all kicks off though, we’ve
definitely heard the odd scream!
Can children come along?
As we said, it is a ghost story, and it’s certainly not aimed at children – there are dark, supernatural themes, a lot of tension and some very intense moments! We usually suggest an age limit of 12 years and over, and we don’t accept responsibility for any nightmares…
How effective is it to use puppetry for a darker play such as this?
As a company, we love working with puppets, and puppetry features in all our work in some form. Puppets are magical, instantly transportive, with an otherworldly quality that engages an audience’s imagination immediately. We love the fact that they allow us to show and do things that would otherwise be impossible on stage. For a ghost story we think puppetry is perfect because of that magical, otherworldly quality. Used in the right way puppets can also seem unnerving, unnatural, and in a ghost story, where isolation is important, puppets can make an actor seem alone even when there are other characters onstage. we’re really proud of the puppets we’ve made for this show too, and we think our mysterious villain, Mr. Karswell, is pretty intimidating – people often say his eyes follow them around the room!
Visit thecornexchangenew.com for more details.
The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, Berks. RG14 5BD
