October brings a host of performances including the opportunity to see three fantastic contemporary theatrical adaptations starting with the hilarious The Complete Works of William Shakespeare from the Reduced Shakespeare Company. The Duchess of Malfi, Webster’s stupendous Jacobean masterpiece comes to Cornerstone on 12 October and its themes are just as relevant today as they were in the 17th century. Finally Shakespeare’s well-loved As You Like is suitable for ages 12 and over and family tickets are available.
Younger members of the family are well catered for too. There’s comedy with Little Howard’s Big Show, a super adaptation of Pinocchio from hiccup theatre, written by the popular Michael Rosen and on 27 October we have The War of the Buttons, a delightful show suitable for both deaf and hearing audiences. There is also a workshop before the show.
PERFORMANCES
Box Office: 01235 515144 Website: http://www.cornerstone-arts.org
FrI 4th Tom Stade Totally Rocks! Comedy: Stand Up 8pm
Catch comedy’s coolest stand-up before he explodes into a household name. The material’s close to the bone, definitely adult and not for the faint-hearted but Tom is very mischievous and charming with it. N.B. VERY ADULT THEMES AND LANGUAGE.
Sat 5th Reduce Shakespeare Company: The Reduced Works of William Shakespeare
Comedy: Theatre 7pm
The West End comes to Didcot. This revised version is an irreverent, fast-paced romp that’s fun for all the family. These madcap men in tights present a semblance of all 37 plays in 97 minutes. You’ll laugh your socks off. Ages 12+.
Fri 11th Clare Teal Music: Jazz 8pm
Multi-award winning singer and BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Clare is a national star. Our Queen of Swing celebrates the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Doris Day and more shimmering stars with diamond voices. You’ll leave feeling all warm and tingly.
Sat 12th The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster Theatre: Classic 8pm
A woman dares to disregard her social status and a powerful family is destroyed. Seven actors present a piece of theatre about mortality, class and sex, as relevant today as it was in the seventeenth century. Ages 14+.
Sun 13th Little Howard’s Big Show Children’s: Comedy 2pm
Fresh from smash-hit BBC One children’s show Little Howard’s Big Question, the nation’s favourite human-cartoon double act come to Cornerstone. Songs, sketches, magic, a cheeky pigeon from Barnsley and the Royal Monkey Philharmonic Orchestra. Ages 4+ and adults.
Fri 18th Sean Hughes: Life Becomes Noises Comedy: Stand Up 8pm
This show is an hilarious and poignant tale which chronicles Sean dealing with his father’s death, which actually brings us one of the most feel-good and uplifting shows of the year.
N.B. SOME SWEARING AND ADULT IMAGERY.
Sun 20 Pinocchio by Michael Rosen Children’s: Theatre 2pm
A new version of this classic tale from hiccup theatre and acclaimed children’s writer Michael Rosen. Expect live music, puppetry, physical storytelling and long noses. Ages 4+.
Thu 24th Texan Supper Theatre Night: The Many Apologies of Pecos Bill 7.30pm
Mosey on down for a ‘taste of Texas’ themed menu and captivating live theatre all included in the price.
Fri 25th As You Like It by William Shakespeare Theatre: Classic 8pm
Rosalind is banished from her homeland to the Forest of Arden to find her exiled father, where she also finds love. One of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, Cornerstone is proud to be one of the venues to commission this production. Ages 12+.
Sat 26th Gabby Young and Other Animals Music: Swing 8pm
Counting Graham Norton as one of her biggest fans, English songwriter Gabby Young fronts her riotous seven piece band to combine swing, Balkan brass, jazz and folk.
Sun 27 The War of the Buttons Children’s: Theatre 2pm
A journey of imagination, into a world drawn by a child, where a button can be a kiss, a wish, a present or a trophy. Music, puppetry, clowning, movement and sign language create a show accessible to deaf, hearing and international audiences. Ask about the workshop before the show! Ages 3+.
Wed 30th Didcot Film Club: Dans La Maison (In The House)( 2012) 8pm
HALF-TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR UNDER 16s
For October half-term there are lots of exciting activities lined up for under 16s, some of which are suitable for all ages and free of charge.
Compagnie Animotion: Workshop, Sunday 27 October 12noon-1pm
· Ages 5-10 years.
Join in with company members before the ‘War of the Buttons’ show. Watch your feet…and your hands! Join in games and fun exercises to get you chatting…using your hands and your faces!’
This workshop is suitable for children with and without hearing impairments.
Hallowe’en Masks, Tuesday 29 October-Friday 1 November 10am-4pm FREE
Suitable for all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Drop in to Cornerstone to make yourself a scary mask for Hallowe’en. Will you become a bat, a witch, a ghost, a cat or a wriggly spider?
Outer Space Family Day, Tuesday 29 October 10am-4pm FREE
Suitable for all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
A family day for all to explore the exciting world of outer space! Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s Space Centre will be providing loads of hands-on activities for you to try out, plus special workshops where you could design your own spacecraft! Sign up to the workshops on the day.
Print Making
· Ages 6-9 years, Tuesday 29 October 1pm-3.30pm
· Ages 9-13 years, Wednesday 30 October 10.30am-4.30pm
Back by popular demand after our Easter workshops! Learn different printing techniques, including using a press, and create your own prints inspired by our Outer Space theme.
Youth Dance, Thursday 31 October-Friday 1 November 10.30am-12noon
· Ages 5-7 years.
A fun two-morning course suitable for those new to dance, as well as seasoned regular class attendees. Start the mornings with a bounce and a jump, and get the most out of your holiday
Clay Sculpture, Thursday 31 October 1.30-3.30pm
· Ages 5-12 years (adult goes free when accompanied by a child).
It’s Hallowe’en – create spooky creatures and ghostly apparitions in clay at our ever-popular course.
Amazing Animation, Friday 1 November 10.30am-4pm
· Ages 9-13 years.
One day to become an amazing animator! Get behind the scenes, get messy with plasticine…
Long Nose Puppets: Workshop, Sunday 3 November
· Ages 3-8 years
Join in with company members before the ‘Arthur’s Dreamboat’ show. In this hands-on session you will make your very own dream boat hat to sail away with and take home.
ONE-OFF WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS
Sat 12 Singing the Changing Seasons, 10.30am-1.30pm
Another chance to sing with Liz Hodgson of Joined-Up Singing. We will learn songs to reflect the changing seasons, signing in different styles from various cultures. All songs taught by ear, no music-reading. All welcome!
Sat 26 Print-Making: Mono-Printing, 10.30am-12.30pm
Come and explore this fantastic creative technique. A very immediate printmaking process, you will be able to see impressive evidence of your achievements very quickly! Price includes all materials.
GALLERY
FREE entry
3rd Oct- Tim Widdowson: Paintings and Prints
10 Nov British artist and designer Tim has lived in and worked from his studio in Long Wittenham for over 30 years. This exhibition presents a range of landscapes and abstract subject matter and will include some of Tim’s paintings of the Didcot Power Station alongside other paintings inspired by areas of beauty and interest in and around Oxfordshire.
Weds Free Talk: How Do Artists Work With Scientists? 7pm
9th Oct Dr Hugh Mortimer, RAL Space and Alice Sharp, Curator and Director of Invisible Dust, discuss Turner Prize winner Elizabeth Price’s artist residency at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell and other art science projects. This talk is presented as part of World Space Week in collaboration with RAL Space and the Science and Technology Facilities Council. See www.invisibledust.com
For more details on any of the above activities go to the Cornerstone website http://www.cornerstone-arts.org
