Credit: Tim Easton
Corn Exchange Newbury Opens the Old Library with a Season Stuffed Fuller Than My Satchel
By Grace Hatchell
Well, pull up a library chair and mind the overdue fines, because Corn Exchange Newbury is opening a brand-new chapter this autumn — quite literally.
From September to November 2026, Corn Exchange Newbury is marking the inaugural live season of the Old Library, its newly opened creative hub, with a programme so packed I had to reinforce the straps on my satchel. Theatre, comedy, dance, live music, circus, magic, family shows, creative workshops — it’s all in there. Honestly, if this autumn season were a library book, it would be one of those enormous hardbacks you pretend you’re going to read on holiday before giving up and watching people on the beach instead.
The new season is a big moment for Newbury. Following the completion of a capital fundraising campaign, the historic Old Library has now been transformed into a permanent creative hub, meaning Corn Exchange Newbury can spread its cultural wings across both its main venue and the Old Library.
And yes, I do enjoy the idea of an Old Library becoming a place full of live performance. Books whispering from the shelves, actors warming up in the corners, toddlers bopping about to music, someone doing Tai Chi where Agatha Christie might once have been borrowed. Marvellous.
The Old Library opens its doors to audiences of all ages, beginning with Wonder Gigs from Filskit Theatre on 11 September and 6 November, an interactive music show for under-5s and their grown-ups. Which sounds adorable, though I imagine the under-5s will be the harshest critics in the building. No standing ovation? Biscuit thrown? That’s a two-star review in toddler language.
On 12 September, Charlotte Mooney, Artistic Director of Ockham’s Razor, returns with Comb, a one-woman show inspired by Celtic, Slavic and Siberian folklore. Traditional tales, contemporary narratives, and presumably not the sort of comb you find at the bottom of your handbag covered in crumbs. Though frankly, there’s folklore in there too.
Comedy is also marching into the season with its elbows out and a microphone in hand. Ria Lina brings Riabellion on 10 October, James Barr presents Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex To My Mum) on 22 October, Michael Akadiri arrives with Don’t Call Me Uncle! on 13 November, and Daniel Foxx brings How Lovely on 21 November, exploring dating in your 30s.
As someone whose romantic life currently consists of delivering envelopes to other people’s weddings, I wish him strength.
The theatre programme brings stories with heart, history and bite. The Essence of Audrey on 18 September explores the life of Audrey Hepburn in a biopic play about the fashion icon, while In the Land of Eagles on 2 October follows the true story of a young woman travelling through Albania with her dying grandfather. Then on 12 November, Anthem for Dissatisfaction takes audiences into austerity Britain, scored by Oasis, The Jam, Bruce Springsteen and Sam Fender.
That’s not a soundtrack, that’s a full emotional weather system.
There’s also magic and mischief on offer. Alex McAleer: Mind Reader comes to the Old Library on 19 September with psychological tricks, while Darryl J Carrington’s Out of the Box arrives on 24 October, transforming everyday objects into circus and clowning. I do this every morning when trying to make my post round look organised, but apparently he’s won awards for it.
Families are not being left out either. A Tale of Us on 16 October combines storytelling for parents with a multi-sensory relaxed play experience for babies, while The Mystery of the Old Library makes its debut on 7 November as a board-game style theatrical adventure. A mystery in an old library? Stop it. That’s practically begging for someone in spectacles to shout, “It was Mrs Peacock in the reference section!”
The Old Library’s creative programme also places a strong focus on wellbeing and community, especially for older audiences. Dare to Dance, Sing 55 and Tai Chi will offer creative and social connection for over-55s, while weekly Youth Theatre and Youth Dance Company sessions will support young performers aged 4 to 19.
So basically, from tiny tots to seasoned legends, everyone gets a spot in the cultural queue. And as we know, I respect a well-managed queue.
Over in the Corn Exchange Auditorium, the autumn programme keeps the kettle boiling nicely. Newbury Sounds returns on 4 September, celebrating emerging local music talent, while Jacqui Dankworth performs The Sondheim Songbook on 17 September. Seth Lakeman arrives on 15 October, Ore Oduba brings The Vintage Boys Rock ’n’ Roll Show on 8 October, and Halloween in Concert promises ghoulish entertainment on 23 October.
Creedence Clearwater Revived bring American rock classics on 29 October, while The Zoots perform on 5 November in aid of the Corn Exchange Newbury’s Future Fund, with all proceeds supporting the organisation’s work.
And if tribute nights are your thing, there’s plenty to keep your feet tapping and your questionable dancing choices thriving. A Tribute to Sting & The Police: Starring The Rozzers arrives on 16 October, Copacabana Magic: The Barry Manilow Tribute follows on 24 October, Mercury celebrates Queen on 7 November, and The Glam Rock Show: Get It On brings hits from T. Rex, Bowie, Slade and more on 17 October.
By the time The Crooners Christmas Special swings in on 14 November with Big Band charm and sharp one-liners, we’ll all be pretending we haven’t already started eating mince pies in October.
The comedy continues in the main auditorium too, with Seann Walsh: This Is Torture on 6 September, ShakeItUp: The Improvised Shakespeare Show on 10 September, The Comedy Network returning on 11 September, 9 October and 6 November, and Ruby Wax: Absolutely Famous on 14 October.
That is a comedy line-up with enough sharp edges to open a stubborn parcel.
Dance fans are also getting a proper treat. Adam Garcia’s Emerald Storm arrives on 16 September, featuring Britain’s Got Talent finalist Tom Ball, combining Irish dance with urban tap and live vocals. JV2 from Jasmin Vardimon Company follows on 23 September, while Srishti returns with Play Ball on 13 October, a triple bill of classical Indian dance choreographed by Nina Rajarani MBE.
And because no autumn season should be without a diva battle, Queenz: Battle of the Divas returns on 10 October, letting the audience decide who claims the ultimate diva crown. I hope they provide a throne. Or at least a very dramatic chair.
For families, There’s A Monster In Your Show returns on 19 and 20 September, featuring music by Olivier Award winner Tom Fletcher and carrying its message of kindness. During October half-term, Illusion Impossible brings magic and circus on 25 October, Dinosaur World Live stomps in on 27 and 28 October, and Crown Ballet presents The Nutcracker on 30 October.
Magic, dinosaurs and ballet in the same week. That’s half-term sorted, parents. You’re welcome.
Elsewhere in the season, Down to Chance on 22 October retells the story of the Great Alaskan Earthquake and its impact on a community, Degrees of Error brings improvised murder mystery Murder, She Didn’t Write on 20 and 21 October, and Pam Ayres arrives with Doggedly Onward on 12 November, reflecting on her life through poetry and storytelling.
Jessica Jhundoo-Evans, Director of Corn Exchange Newbury, described the season as “an exciting new chapter” as the organisation opens the doors to the Old Library for live performance and presents a varied programme across its venues.
And honestly, that feels about right. This isn’t just a season announcement. It’s a venue stretching into a new era, taking an old building and filling it with stories, songs, movement, laughter, families, young performers, older communities and the sort of cultural bustle that makes a town feel properly alive.
The Old Library may once have been about borrowing stories.
This autumn, it gets to make some of its own.
Full programme information is available from Corn Exchange Newbury.
Full programme information can be found at www.cornexchangenew.com
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