Family adventures await in our locations this October!

This October, we invite families to step into a world of imagination with a packed programme of shows, workshops and creative activities designed to delight audiences of all ages.

The month’s offerings begin with the critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (Friday 10 – Sunday 12 October), created by Jonathan Rockefeller and based on the much-loved stories of Eric Carle. Featuring 75 extraordinary puppets, this vibrant production brings to life four of Carle’s most cherished tales: Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider, and of course, the story that has captivated generations, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. For children who want to get hands-on before the performance, artist Gemma Kirby will be hosting a special pre-workshop on Sunday 12 October in the Balcony Bar, where little ones can create their very own caterpillar and butterfly puppets to bring into the show with them.

Later in the month, families can enjoy an afternoon of shared creativity with Family Creative Art Journalling (Saturday 18 October). This relaxed workshop encourages children and their grown-ups to explore mixed media techniques, play with ideas and build their own imaginative journals together.

Half term sees the return of one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved characters to our stage, as Freckle Productions’ Stick Man (Tuesday 28 - Thursday 30 October) brings songs, puppetry and plenty of laughs to us. What begins as a simple morning jog becomes quite the adventure for Stick Man, as he encounters dogs, swans and even a roaring fire on his way back to the family tree. The 10.30am performance on Thursday 30 October will be a relaxed performance, this show ensures a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for those who may benefit from a more relaxed environment, as the lights are left on at a low level, the volume levels are lower than usual, and you are free to make noise or move around. Children can extend the fun by joining a pre-show craft workshop on Wednesday 29 October, creating their very own Stick Man to take home after the show.

For those looking to fill the school holidays with creativity, the our Create and Make programme (Monday 27 - Thursday 30 October) offers days full of arts, crafts and drama, led by professional practitioners who will help children develop skills, confidence and new friendships. On Thursday 30 October, young participants can also embark on an Arts Award in a Morning, beginning at West Berkshire Museum, continuing at Newbury Library and finishing at the Corn Exchange itself. Across three lively sessions, they’ll craft, explore stories and try out drama activities, completing their Discover-level Arts Award in just one morning.

The month rounds off with a double bill of family fun on Halloween itself. In our auditorium, Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians (Friday 31 October) promises a gruesomely funny gallop through Britain’s past, from dastardly Dick Turpin to party-loving Queen Victoria, with the nasty bits left in. Meanwhile, up in our Balcony Bar, artist Gemma Kirby transforms the space into Frankenstein’s Craft Laboratory for a spooky Halloween Mask Making workshop, giving children the chance to create their own ghoulish disguise ready for trick-or-treating.

With beloved storybook characters, hands-on creative sessions and plenty of opportunities for families to learn and play together, October on our stage and in the Learning Centre is set to be bursting with colour, laughter and imagination.