Cambridge Corn Exchange
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The Cambridge Corn Exchange is a concert venue in Cambridge. The venue is recognised as one of the premier music and theatre venues in the UK.
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[edit] Building the Venue
The site was earmarked for a new Corn Exchange in 1868 to replace the existing corn exchange on St Andrews Street. The site was originally the remains of the Priory of Friars Hermits which had been on the site since the Middle Ages. The priory was passed to a museum in New Zealand. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor in 1874 and the building was opened in 1875. A quarter of a million local bricks were used in various colours. The opening concert was a performance on 9 November by the Coldstream Guards and a local choral society. During the playing of the National Anthem a mistake was made, and angry crowds subsequently attacked the Mayor's house. The resulting trial attracted the world's press and resulted in crowds of sightseers making visits to the building, interfering with the corn trading.
[edit] History
The site was a popular location for events throughout the twentieth century. The first Motor Show of many was held in 1898, The venue hosted the London Symphony Orchestra in 1925 and one thousand people were given tea at Tea For a Thousand in 1935. During the 1940s the venue was used to clean and repair rifles by local women. After the war the venue was popular for Boxing, Wrestling and Roller Skating. The floor was usually marked out for Badminton trails which were held in the building.
In 1965 the venue was stopped being used for trading after the Cattle Market site was opened as an alternative. In the 1970s the building was used for pop concerts and one-day exhibitions. In 1971 1,000 fans caused a riot after The Drifters failed to appear onstage. In 1972 Syd Barrett made his last public appearance at the venue supporting MC5.
The venue was closed in 1981 after the roof was found to be unsafe and following complaints from local residents about noise levels. The building was refitted and reopened in 1986 following public pressure and various grants and donations. The reopening was a performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
[edit] Current status
The Cambridge Corn Exchange has been described by the local media as a "priceless local asset".[citation needed] The venue has won the Charter Mark for excellence in public service for the second time, is regionally and nationally renowned for its new music and contemporary events programme, is regularly grant-aided by the Arts Council of England, Eastern Arts Board, Eastern Orchestral Board & the New Audiences Fund. The venue is still a popular stop for national touring bands, comics and theatre groups. The Cambridge Corn Exchange is adjacent to the Cambridge Arts Theatre, which is noted for its annual pantomime which runs from December to January each year.
The venue has an impressive list of performers who have played on its stage including The Beatles, local heroes Pink Floyd, Oasis, The Smiths, Iron Maiden, and Take That to name but a few.
[edit] Recent popular performances
Due to the size of the Corn Exchange, it is often neglected by many of the big bands. However, some of the biggest bands performing have been The Feeling (March 2008), The Kooks (October 2006) Dirty Pretty Things (December 2006), The View, The Automatic and The Horrors (February 2007). It is frequently used by The Stranglers, The Damned and Supergrass during their UK tours.
The Corn Exchange has also hosted big comedians such as Jimmy Carr, Russell Brand and Lenny Henry.
When the Manic Street Preachers announced they would be playing the Corn Exchange in May 2007, all the standing tickets were sold within six hours of going on sale.[citation needed].
The Corn Exchange's big summer musical is one of the great highlights of the season. An amateur cast but with a professional director (Frances Brownlie) and creative team, recent musicals have included Oliver!, West Side Story and last year's sell-out success Annie The Musical. The 2007 production was The King and I.
