Corn Exchange Newbury Announces Summer 2026 Season

Corn Exchange Newbury has revealed its jam-packed summer season of incredible, world-class theatre, free outdoor performances, live music, circus, comedy, dance and entertainment for the whole family. The season also sees a landmark milestone as the historic Old Library opens to the public – the town’s newest creative hub as well as the permanent home for the Corn Exchange’s workshops and courses.

Kicking off the season of theatre is new play Sisters360(25th April) by award-winning playwright Asif Khan; the production is inspired by real-life skateboarding sisters and celebrates themes of family, resilience and hope. The Reduced Shakespeare Company bring their legendary comedy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)(5th – 6th May) to Newbury for two nights of riotous entertainment as all 37 of the Bard’s plays are condensed into one evening.

Following its hit London run earlier this year, Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre’s The Importance of Being Oscar(2nd – 3rd June) is a powerful one-man show exploring the life of Oscar Wilde. Bryony Kimmings’ critically acclaimed Bog Witch(17th – 19th June) sees the artist share the hilarious and heartfelt true story of uprooting her and her son’s life as they strive to become more ‘off grid’.

April showers may be on the way, but Newbury audiences will be singing through them with music classics from 90s boybands in The Ultimate Boyband Party(18th April), alongside Cher and Adele tributes with The Shoop Shop Show: The Cher Collection(16th April) and Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook(23rd April). There’s an array of tribute acts including Sky Full of Stars: A Tribute to Coldplay(2nd May), ABBA Forever(6th June), K-Pop Live(20th June), Legend: The Music of Bob Marley(17th July), The Rocket Manis a fitting tribute to Elton John (18th July) and The Rolling Stones Story(24th July) to suit all musical tastes.

Circus acts will have Newbury audiences gasping with excitement. Wes Peden and Gandini Juggling’s Rollercoaster(3rd May) is an ultra-modern pop-punk juggling performance with a giant inflatable structure and electro beats. There’s acrobatics, aerial work, juggling and clowning in The Curtain Calls(23rd June), a brand-new show, starring exceptional emerging talent from Circomedia. For dance fans, Ballet Cymru celebrates their 40th anniversary with an enchanting production of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty(1st July). Fresh dancers also take to the stage with INTOTO (4th June) celebrating the success of its London Studio Centre graduates with three new works presented by their students.

For comedy fans, Pinch Punch presents the Edinburgh Fringe favourite Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit(27th June), a fully improvised comedy murder mystery where the audience holds all the clues. The Comedy Networkalso returns with four unmissable nights of stand-up (2nd April, 1st May, 5th June, 3rd July), with rotating headline acts including Aurie Styla, Huge Davies, Steve Bugeja, and Sara Barron. Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess(14th – 15th April) is back with sparkly stand-up and new songs. Global sell-out sensation Danny Bhoy: Dear World…(21st June) brings us some comic genius while Rich Hall: Chin Music(24th June) offers his sharp, improvisational comedy. Emmy-nominated Michelle Wolf: Best Job in the World(22nd July) rounds off the stellar comedy season with her razor-sharp wit.

May half-term at Corn Exchange Newbury is bursting with shows for little ones. Rebel Sparks’ Take Flight(27th May) is a stunning aerial theatre show for babies. Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure(29th May) bring Kristina Stephenson’s popular book to life with live music, puppets and plenty of laughs, while Dino Tales: Jurassic Rescue(31st May) features Europe’s largest walking dinosaurs ever to roam the stage, complete with Freya the dancing Raptor and the mighty Roxy the T-Rex. Pre-show craft workshops are available for select shows. The season also sees the return of the dazzling Military Illusionist in Richard Jones: The Sound of Magic(4th July).

Two impressive free outdoor performances will be staged on the streets and squares of Newbury. BLOCK(21st June) is a super-charged physical performance using 20 oversized blocks resembling giant Jenga pieces to explore life in the city. A humorous and touching tribute to growing older, Watchful(25th July) traces a couple’s journey through the decades.

Corn Exchange Newbury Director, Jessica Jhundoo-Evans comments, we’re thrilled to welcome visitors to a brand-new season at the Corn Exchange, with a fantastic mix of entertainment for all ages. From vibrant family theatre and live music to playful circus, comedy and classic

storytelling, there’s something to delight every audience. We’re also delighted to present free outdoor performances across Newbury this summer from both UK and international companies. After two years of incredible support from our community, the Old Library is ready to open its doors with a fresh programme of workshops, courses and creative opportunities for everyone to enjoy.

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