Corn Exchange Open Day

Wallingford’s Corn Exchange will be revealing all its backstage secrets when it bares its inner workings to the public at a special Open Day on Saturday June 2.

The event, which is free, is to celebrate the culmination of a major refurbishment project which involved a new roof and auditorium improvements.

Throughout the day, Corn Exchange volunteers will lead tours around the historic building to give visitors a flavour of all that takes place behind the scenes and front-of-house. Included in the tours will be visits to dressing rooms, props and costume stores, the extensive workshop – plus a chance to marvel at the range of intricate technical gear and lighting hardware. Wannabe actors can have a voice projection experience and arty types can try their hand at scenery painting.

And for those who like dressing up, come and try on some costumes – and then have a ‘selfie’ taken in the upstairs Club Room.

Cinema plays a huge role in the Corn Exchange’s weekly schedule and prospective projectionists can find out how a film showing is planned and how an evening’s entertainment programme is put together. More hands-on experience is here too.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Katie Price, one of the organisers, said: “Our aim is to show members of the public what we do here at the Corn Exchange, what a brilliant place it is for entertainment. It’s run by a very friendly and hospitable group of people and we hope people will be encouraged to come along and join us.”

The Open Day takes place at Wallingford Corn Exchange, Market Place, Wallingford from 10am to 4pm on Saturday June 2. (Please note, children must be accompanied by an adult and access to some areas may be difficult for those with mobility problems.)