Newbury Corn Exchange is back with first summer Out of Doors Festival
The Corn Exchange is back with a bang, announcing its first Out of Doors Festival with performances taking place across the district, including Shaw House, the Nature Discovery Centre, Horris Hill, Welford Park, Thatcham Cricket Club, Greenham House Gardens and some local primary schools as well as a summer season of shows in the main auditorium, classes and courses in the Learning Centre and workshops and exhibitions at The Base, Greenham.
Out of Doors Festival performances will take place between May and August and include theatre productions Blithe Spirit from BlackBox Theatre, The Pantaloons Pride and Prejudice, Slapstick Picnic’s The Importance of Being Earnest and Heartbreak Productions’ The Great Gatsby. Audiences can enjoy jazz and musical hall favourites with Mary-Lou Revue Cabaret, magic with Britain’s Got Talent Ben Hart and Red Cape’s cycling theatre production, On Track.
Family shows include circus spectacles from Farm Yard Circus, Apocalyptic Circus-Inbalance’s My House and Charmaine Childs with Strong Enough. Little ones aged up to 2 can enjoy Woolly Bear caterpillar and friends in the interactive show The Bug Hotel from HurlyBurly Theatre, Morgan & West bring a cavalcade of whimsy and wit with The Three Musketeers and Heartbreak Productions brings David Walliams’ best-selling book Mr Stink to the outdoor stage.
Corn Exchange director Katy Griffiths said: “This is such an exciting time for the Corn Exchange. With the roadmap to recovery in place, we are thrilled to be able to announce our summer of events and activities. Outdoor events are an integral part of what we do at the Corn Exchange, so at a time when some people will still prefer to enjoy activities outside, we are delighted to be able to bring a huge range of creative experiences out into the fresh air as part of our Out of Doors Festival. Our fantastic team have been working so hard behind the scenes to ensure all industry guidelines are met so that everyone feels comfortable. And, most importantly, it means that everyone can join in the fun and create wonderful memories with their friends and family.’
At the outdoor arts creations space 101 in Greenham, there will be free events including Blast Theory’s guided audio bicycle ride Rider Spoke and in the Corn Exchange auditorium the season kicks off with Michael Spicer, the comedy writer behind the internet sensation Room Next Door, bringing the online show to the stage. Look forward to visits by stand-ups Phil Wang and Ed Gamble, too.
Families can enjoy the anarchic and cheeky Horrible Histories and young fans of the enchanting world of Sarah and Duck can enjoy the CBeebies’s show live on stage. In addition, there will be a range of outdoor activities for children and families, including favourites that would normally take place in the Learning Centre. The Base, Greenham, will be reopening its gallery doors with the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year 56 (May 17–Jun 13.
For more information and to book tickets, including a full listing of the Out of Doors Festival, visit, www.cornexchangenew.com. For more information about the exhibitions and classes at The Base visit, www.thebasegreenham.co.uk.
