Corn Exchange Newbury Announces Spectacular Summer Season for 2025
Corn Exchange Newbury, one of Berkshire’s leading arts and entertainment venues, has unveiled its Summer Season 2025, promising an exciting mix of theatre, comedy, live music, dance, circus, and magic. From award-winning theatre productions to live music tributes and immersive paranormal experiences, this season is set to captivate audiences of all ages.
Season production shots provided by venue
Highlights
The theatre programme will kick off with Duck (30 April), an award-winning play by maatin that explores racism and cricket in schools. Another standout production is Bonding: The Myth, Legend and Legacy of James Bond (8 July), a deep dive into the 60-year history of 007, directed by two-time OFFIE winner Matthew Parker.
For family audiences, the summer will feature The Baddies (27 – 29 May), a hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s beloved children’s book, where trolls, ghosts, and witches take centre stage. Also returning is Top Secret: The Magic of Science (1 June), an interactive experience that combines the wonder of magic with scientific discovery.
Comedy Events
Laughter is guaranteed with the return of The Comedy Network (4 April, 9 May, 4 July), which has previously featured comedy stars like Ed Gamble, Russell Howard, and Jenny Éclair. This season’s lineup includes Horatio Gould, Katie Norris, and Chloe Petts—a chance to see the next big names in stand-up.
Live Music & Tributes
Music lovers can enjoy ABBA’s biggest hits with Waterloo Live (6 June), while Women in Rock (28 June) will celebrate powerhouse female artists like Cher, Blondie, and Janis Joplin. Other major tribute performances include:
Fastlove: The George Michael Tribute (11 July)
Dreams of FM – Fleetwood Mac Tribute (12 July)
Country Superstars (19 July), endorsed by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
Dance & Cabaret
Corn Exchange Newbury will host stunning dance performances, including INTOTO Dance (4 June), showcasing final-year students from London Studio Centre, and Blue Ghost (10 July), a unique blend of Flamenco and live electronic music celebrating the beauty of insects and the environment.
Cabaret fans can look forward to Tease (27 June), an unforgettable evening of burlesque featuring West End burlesque icons Lady Lust and Miss Temptation. Expect circus acts, variety performances, and music from Chicago, Cher, and Christina Aguilera.
Outdoor Circus Spectacle
A major highlight of the summer season will be Gorilla Circus: RPM (12 July), taking place in Newbury’s Market Place. This jaw-dropping outdoor spectacle will feature acrobatics, roller skating, and street dance, performed on a giant moving treadmill, and will explore the UK’s colonial past through circus artistry.
Magic & Paranormal Events
Renowned magician James Phelan, the BBC’s most broadcast magician of the last decade, will bring his mind-bending illusions to The Dreamer (17 July), a show that promises to defy reality and leave audiences questioning the impossible.
For fans of the paranormal, Spirit Chasers (25 July) offers an interactive ghost-hunting experience, using specialist equipment to uncover the hidden secrets of the Corn Exchange’s 1861 building. All proceeds from this event will support the Old Library campaign.
A Season Not to Be Missed
Corn Exchange Director, Jessica Jhundoo-Evans, shared her excitement:
“We are extremely excited to present our brand-new summer season at the Corn Exchange! As an arts venue with community at our core, we aim to create a varied programme to entice a wide range of people to enjoy and be inspired by what is currently on tour. There is a huge mix of genres and the highest quality of shows touring this summer season, I feel sure that everyone will find something to take their fancy and we can’t wait to welcome people to our venue.”
With a packed lineup of theatre, music, comedy, dance, and immersive experiences, Corn Exchange Newbury’s 2025 Summer Season is set to be one of its most exciting yet. Tickets for all events will be available soon.
