The Corn Exchange, Newbury |
Box office
01635 522733
The Corn Exchange, Newbury. Some performances may be at The Base, Communications Road, Greenham Business Park,
Greenham, RG19 6HN. Unless a specific location is given for a performance, it's
at the Corn Exchange.
Next
Murder She Didn't Write, 21st October
Edinburgh Fringe favourites, Degrees of Error create a classic
murder mystery on-the-spot in this ingenious improvised comedy. You,
the audience, become the author as the cast act out your very own
Agatha Christie-inspired masterpiece live on stage. At each show
this extraordinarily talented company use audience suggestions to
create a unique, original and extremely comical murder mystery just
for you. All you have to do... is solve it!
Down to Chance, 22nd October
Anchorage,
Alaska. 1964. A part-time radio reporter, her teenage intern, a
general on leave, and a local hobbyist find themselves at the centre
of a remarkable relief effort. Live on air, Genie Chance must take
unimaginable risks to save her community and family from chaos. But
as temperatures plummet and news of an even greater threat reaches
the relief effort, Genie must decide how much she really owes her
listening audience? Based on the incredible true story of the Great
Alaskan Earthquake, Down to Chance is a heartwarming portrait of a
community in crisis with the whole world listening in.
Sleeping Beauty, 27th November to 2nd January
Welcome to the Berkshire School for the Best Behaved, where perfect pupils are expected to mind their manners... but with this lot, that's easier said than done! Headmistress Madam Marvellous does her best to keep everyone in line, but when a wicked fairy casts a terrible spell over Sleeping Beauty, the classroom is thrown into complete chaos.
It’s now up to the whole panto gang to break the curse before Sleeping Beauty sleeps through the rest of the century! Will good triumph over evil? Will true love save the day? And will anyone ever manage to stay out of detention! Oh yes, they will!
Expect all the ingredients of a classic Corn Exchange Newbury Panto, side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes, spectacular scenery, fabulous live music, sensational choreography and plenty of magical moments along the way.
Hay Fever, 14th to 27th January
See
Theatre at the Cinema
The Motive and the Cue, 18th February to 3rd March
See
Theatre at the Cinema
Reviews of Robin Hood and Maid Marian
28th November 2025 to 3rd January 2026
Review from the Newbury Weekly News and the British Theatre Guide.
It’s hiss and boo time - panto is back in the hood
It’s panto time at the Corn Exchange and the theatre was sparkling with a mini-forest of trees in the foyer as the excited audience eagerly waited for the Panto to start. They were certainly in for a true Christmas treat. The award-winning creative team of Plested, Brown and Wilsher, who also deftly directs, returns for their seventh year at the panto helm with a refreshing new take on the Robin Hood and Maid Marian story.
Making his professional debut, Harry Sweetman is impressive as Robin, with rippling muscles and a somewhat egotistic attitude as he adventures abroad leaving the people of Newburyshire in dire debt to the wicked Sherriff, a commanding performance from Alex Crandon and the audience enthusiastically booed every time he appeared. Samara Rawlins plays the spirited Maid Marian with a secure confidence and has a powerful singing voice. She becomes the real leader of the merry band, fighting for what’s right. Returning as the Dame, Graham Mackay-Bruce is outstanding as Nursemaid Nellie wearing outlandish costumes from a country thatched cottage to a Lady Gaga outfit – Hilarious! Grace Kelly Miller was delightful as the wholehearted Willamina Scarlet whose father sent her for work experience with the gang and she builds up a true rapport with the audience. As Fairy Fere-A-Dale Jenny Perry was enchanting, only visible to those that believed in fairies and indeed themselves. The extremely talented hard working ensemble, Finley Davies, Abby Fell and Sophie Mckinnon were exceptional adding much to the production.
Robin returns to find that Marian has been captured by the Sheriff. Will he be able to rescue her?
Miranda Wilford’s stunning dynamic choreography was breath-taking, energetically performed by the cast.
All the traditional elements of panto were there in abundance including local references, groan making puns, loads of audience participation, together with many digs at Donald Trump and tariffs being imposed on Newburyshire as well as many surprises.
Musical director Alex Maynard, assisted by Luke Hinchcliffe, splendidly provided a clever compilation of songs. With spectacular scenery and exquisite costumes this production hits the ‘bulls-eye’ and is an absolute winner. Don’t miss it!
ROBIN STRAPP