Friday, March 10th, 2023
We’re trialling adding subtitles to matinee film showings, except for childrens’ films, to improve accessibility for the hearing-impaired. We’re appreciative of the regular audience now for matinees and we want to make sure that we’ve done everything that we can to make it a great experience. We’ll start this Wednesday with Women Talking. We would appreciate your feedback.
Saturday, March 4th, 2023
We’ve made some changes to our website recently and we have added a blog page containing previews and reviews of films and shows. Just click REVIEWS on the main page and read about what you’ve seen or are going to see. If you want to submit your own review just send a word document to reviews@cornexchange.org.uk
Tuesday, September 6th, 2022
Good news. We are putting on some regular matinee film showings starting in October. We understand from some audience members that they would like to come to the cinema in Wallingford in the afternoon. So to address this need we are putting on regular matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons starting at 2:30pm. We hope that some of you will be able to come and watch a selection of fabulous films. The first two films announced are See How They Run (12A) on Saturday 8th and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (PG) on Wednesday 12th. Please look out for other films on the website.
Tuesday, May 10th, 2022
Dear Patrons, Many of you have told us that you’re not receiving confirmation emails when booking tickets. We’re sorry about this and have checked our system and there doesn’t seem to be a problem there. We do think that many of these emails are going into the SPAM or JUNK folder. The best way to avoid that happening is to add the address noreply@cornexchange.info to your safe senders list. If you’re still in doubt, then ring the box office on 01491 825000 to check your booking, before you start making your way to the theatre. The Box Office is open from 7pm on performance nights or from 10am on Friday and Saturday morning.
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020
The Corn Exchange in Wallingford and the Sinodun Players, resident company and owner of the theatre, have received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest possible honour for voluntary groups in the UK.
The Players transformed the Corn Exchange from a derelict building into a “cornerstone of the community”. It has been showing plays and films to residents of Wallingford and the surrounding area for more than 40 years.
Members and volunteers at the theatre, which is currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, were told today (Tuesday, 2nd June) about the award – which is made every year to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.
Gloria Wright, Chair of the Sinodun Players said: ‘We always knew our wonderful members and volunteers were brilliant, and I’m sure they already know how highly they are valued, but now all the hard work and commitment over the last 40 years has been officially recognised.’
The nomination process was carried out by Deputy Lieutenants for Oxfordshire Miranda Markham and Kate Tiller. Dr Tiller said in her report: ‘Wallingford Corn Exchange, home of the Sinodun Players Amateur Dramatic Society shows how a traditional local organisation can transform itself and develop into a key community asset for the 21st century.
She added: ‘Described by its users as “the heart of the community”, not only is it a cultural landmark but importantly it serves as a cross generational meeting hub where people of all backgrounds are welcome to both enjoy the experience as well as to volunteer their own unique skills.’
The group was nominated for the award by Lynda Atkins, a former Oxfordshire County Councillor. She said: ‘Without the Sinodun Players and its volunteers, the Grade II listed Corn Exchange would not exist as a community facility’.
Ed Vaizey, ex-MP for Wantage and Didcot and a former culture minister, gave his support as part of the submission and said: “The Sinodun Players, and the Corn Exchange theatre which they run, have been cornerstones of the community in Wallingford and the surrounding area for decades. As a result of their entirely voluntary efforts, Wallingford has an outstanding range of drama available”.
Professor Malcolm Airs, former conservation officer for South Oxfordshire also added his recommendation to the nomination: “As the local authority Conservation Officer at the time I was deeply impressed by the sensitive way that they carried out the conversion in a manner that retained its intrinsic historic character. Under their careful stewardship it has undergone a series of staged improvements to become a highly sophisticated venue.”
The Sinodun Players purchased the then-derelict Corn Exchange in 1976, converting it into a base for its theatre productions, a theatre and cinema. The building has been run as a successful venue since the end of 1978 when it was formally opened by the late Sir Peter Hall, founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company and former director of the National Theatre, who lived in Wallingford at that time.
The Sinodun Players and Corn Exchange Wallingford is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015
The standard level for film sound in an Auditorium is 7.0 on the calibrated Dolby™ Volume level control.
However, many cinemas including this one, have found that this setting can allow excessive sound levels on some film soundtracks.
However, as part of the experience, the sound in a cinema will always be louder than that of a television set playing in a family lounge.
We therefore run our sound level at Volume setting 5.5 which allows the quiet nuances and dialogue on the soundtrack to be easily heard as well as allowing the occasional high level sound such as that of a jet aircraft taking off. This is done for dramatic effect.
The Auditorium sound level is always checked by the projectionist as soon as the main feature starts.
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