Announcing our 2026 spring season, with comedy, dance, theatre and inspiring talks

We are excited to share our captivating 2026 spring season, bringing to the forefront homegrown talent alongside fantastic tours. 

From award-winning comedians and hilarious talk shows to breathtaking dance and inspiring theatre, 2026 promises to be an unforgettable year of talent and immersive experiences. 

Circus returns to Newbury this spring as acclaimed Ockham’s Razor bring their intimate circus show Collaborator (11th March) to the Corn Exchange stage, exploring relationships through the medium of movement. In an intimate and captivating evening of contemporary dance and music celebrating the long-forgotten pioneering history of Le Monocle, Rendez-Vous Dance presents The Monocle (10th February). Created by award-winning choreographer Mathieu Geffré, this evocative show pays homage to a 1930s Parisian nightclub where glamorous women dined, danced and sang freely, without fear of persecution. Strictly Come Dancing legend Vincent Simone arrives in Newbury with his new production Tango Passions (27th February), offering an evening of world-class Argentine tango and Latin flair, transporting audiences to the heart of Buenos Aires, and ACE dance and music present TWAWSI: The World As We See It (22nd April), redefining dance from the African Diaspora in a celebration of culture.

Rising comedy stars take centre stage with the Early Doors Comedy Night (18th February, 19th February, 12th March) and merging magic with laughter is Pete Firman: Tricks & Giggles (7th March) with his brand-new show. Ivo Graham: Orange Crush (18th March) and Joel Dommett: Happy Idiot (25th March) delight audiences on stage with their hilarious stand-up comedy. Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess (14th – 15th April) brings sparkly stand-up where no topic is off limits. Mark Simmons rounds off the season’s comedy line-up with Jest to Impress (17th April), full of sharp wit and quick-fire punchlines.

The season also spotlights some captivating classics, including Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty (27th - 28th January) by Blackeyed Theatre in association with Theatre Royal Winchester and South Hill Park and Box Tale Soup takes on 1984 (4th March) in a new version of George Orwell’s dystopian classic using innovative puppetry. There are more incredible theatre runs throughout the season with a genre-crossing Parody of the Rings: A Hilarious and Epic Adventure (26th March) that re-imagines The Lord of the Rings as an impromptu skit. Bringing animations alive is Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show (14th February), presenting catchy tunes and hilarious performances. While, book adaptation, The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rock Show (28th March) is fun for the whole family as characters Danny and Dino go on a quest to get tickets for their favourite rock band.

Continuing its commitment to supporting community events, The Corn Exchange Newbury presents its Intermediate Youth Theatre production of NT Connections: Fishville (24th – 25th February) by Afaneh Gray, as part of the National Theatre’s annual youth theatre festival that commissions new plays each year. Fishville centres on a gripping murder mystery that unites and puzzles a close-knit community.

For those with a passion for science, step into an extraordinary immersive experience with Wonders of Our Universe (7th February). This unforgettable evening combines breathtaking visuals with expert insight from Astrophysicist Ian Hall and Exoplanet Research Scientist Charlotte Alexandra, accompanied by a live music score. Continuing the scientific celebration, The Utterly Revolting Science Show (31st March) from the Rude Science team shares a delightfully disgusting exploration of burp biology, fart physics and edible chemistry!

Music lovers have an extravaganza in store with Beautiful Crazy: The Luke Combs Collection (31st January) as legendary anthems are recreated on stage with iconic rock and country tunes. Audiences can look forward to an unforgettable evening with The Real Thing (13th February), the five-piece band that have been defining soul, funk and dance music for the last 50 years, while The Ultimate Mod Revue (21st February) will celebrate its feel-good music from the '60s through to the '90s. 

Female artists are taking centre stage with shows such as The Spice Girls Experience (20th March) and Saving All My Love for You (21st March) celebrating the hits of Whitney Houston. There is a chance to singalong to Taylor Swift classics with The Eras Experience (29th March) while The Shoop Shoop Show: The Cher Collection (16th April) honours the Goddess of Pop herself as she turns 80.

The UK’s best-selling true crime talk show The Makings of a Murder 3: The Undercover Detective (26th February) comes to grip audiences as Peter Bleksley reveals the harrowing reality behind solving murders. Talks that inspire you to think outside of the box include Susie Dent: Word Perfect (27th March) that deep-dives into the world of words. Wildlife TV legend Michaela Strachan: Not Just a Wild Life (29th April) discusses hilarious and heart-felt exclusives from her unforgettable career working with animals. Gyles Brandreth: Can’t Stop Talking (26th April) looks back on the many fun-loving tales throughout his career.