The Corn Exchange Newbury is expanding its Sit with Me scheme to assist those who would like to see a show or attend a class but who do not want to come on their own.
At selected live events, as well as classes such as Choir 55 and Knit for Need, Sit with Me volunteers will be available beforehand to greet visitors, introduce them to other attendees, and will then watch the performance with them. Included in the summer season are the live screenings of the Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake (Tuesday 12 June) and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Romeo and Juliet (Wednesday 18 July), the stage adaptation of George Eliot’s The Mill on the Floss (Tuesday 26 June) and the preview performance of Ad Infinitum’s No Kids (Thursday 12 July).
Sit with Me is suitable for adults of all ages who would like to watch events as part of a friendly group or to meet new people with similar interests.
Amy Pattison, Ageing Creatively Coordinator, says: ‘Sit with Me really is a lovely social opportunity for community members to come along to try something new, or to see a show here, and potentially will provide some reassurance that there’s somebody waiting for you when you arrive’.
Those interested in taking part in this initiative should visit the official Corn Exchange website or contact the Corn Exchange Box Office in person or over the phone on 0845 5218 218 (calls cost 2p per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge), and quote ‘Sit With Me’ when booking seats for valid shows and classes.