The Old Post Office and Wallingford's Theatre Group Announce New Town Collaboration

The Sinodun Players and Wallingford’s Corn Exchange announce partnership with The Old Post Office

As Lord Lloyd-Webber has recently highlighted, theatres are in a perilous state due to the impact of Government pandemic legislation on audience numbers. However, for Wallingford’s Sinodun Players, there is a keen sense of anticipation and excitement with the announcement this week of a new partnership with local restaurant, The Old Post Office, part of the Oakman Group.

The new collaboration begins with the Sinodun Players’ latest production, children’s classic, The Wind in the Willows at Wallingford’s Corn Exchange– running from 14th to 17th July - and the announcement received additional enthusiastic support from cast members, Toad, played by Adam Brimley, three ‘Wild Wooders’, Rebecca Cleverley, Sue Pritchard and David Simmons plus the town’s Mayor, Cllr Marcus Harris (pictured above).

As the nominated charity partner, The Old Post Office, known locally as The OPO, will provide much-needed fundraising support for The Sinodun Players as well as giving Corn Exchange ticketholders a generous 15% discount on dining before or after all their events, starting with The Wind in the Willows on 14th July.

Francesca Foley, The OPO’s General Manager, said: “Wallingford has always been a resourceful and friendly market town with so much to offer which, before the pandemic, we perhaps took for granted. With restrictions continuing to lift, and school holidays upon us, it’s time to start catching up again with our friends and family over a meal in one of the town’s many good eateries – and to start returning to the Corn Exchange for great theatre and cinema.”

Francesca added: “We are very excited about our new partnership with the Sinodun Players and the Corn Exchange. The first of our regular Quiz Nights for the Sinodun Players will be this Wednesday, 7th July, when the Director of The Wind in the Willows, Marilyn Leadbetter, and a couple of the cast will kick the evening off with an insight into the production. We’ll also be hosting special events throughout the year, including a James Bond Gala Evening in September.”

The Sinodun Players was founded in 1948, and the charity operates from and owns Wallingford’s historic Corn Exchange. The theatre boasts a modern sound and lighting system, and also has a café and fully stocked bar run entirely by volunteers. The incredibly talented cast and crew enable the venue to produce some of the best theatre and musical productions in the Thames Valley. The Corn Exchange also hosts touring productions as well as operating as the local cinema which shows a wide range of films suitable for all tastes including British, international, Indy, family and foreign language titles.

Sinodun Players’ Chair, Gloria Wright, said: “This collaboration is a first theatrical green shoot of recovery which, we hope, heralds a summer of renewal for both the arts and for Wallingford. The town has always been supportive of the Corn Exchange and The Sinodun Players and our various activities. We are delighted that The OPO has agreed to support us as their nominated charity which will enable a number of fundraising and promotional opportunities for our exciting programme of plays, music and musicals.”

The Mayor of Wallingford, Cllr Marcus Harris, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the OPO and the Corn Exchange collaborating like this to make our town an even more unforgettable place to visit. It is now that we all have to work together to remind everyone of the appeal of our amazing market town. With everything from a ruined Castle to the River Thames and a host of amazing shops, bars and restaurants, Wallingford has a lot to offer. It’s time to open our doors, all be it carefully, to welcome and encourage the regrowth of Wallingford’s night-time economy and daytime visitors.”

John Evans, the Marketing Director for the Corn Exchange, said: “At the end of 1978 the Corn Exchange became a permanent home for The Sinodun Players Amateur Dramatic Society and a venue for arts performances in Wallingford. These events are a great opportunity for relaxing over a meal before or after the show at one of the town’s excellent pubs or restaurants and we are delighted that The OPO is offering such a generous incentive to our ticketholders.”