Richard Ayoade - Afterthoughts
- Date
- 17 June, 2026
- Start time:
- 19:30
- Venue Name
- Cambridge Corn Exchange
Description
Join BAFTA-winning actor, comedian, director, and writer Richard Ayoade for an evening of reflections as he shares insights from his latest book, Afterthoughts, or Some Pistachios Won't Open: Wisdom for the Unreflective.
Partially recognisable for being in The IT Crowd, his acclaimed films Submarine and The Double, he has also hosted TV landfill like Travel Man and The Crystal Maze, and lent his nasal voice to The Boxtrolls, Early Man, Soul and The Bad Guys.
But you may well know him best for his role as ‘photographer’ in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers in which he delivered the iconic line: ‘Please, Mer Sellers, can I get a shot of you and your mum?’
Now, in the midst of some self-inflicted financial difficulty, he turns to the stage, inviting you to explore over 500 of his colossal notions. Thoughts like…
Where’s the box to tick if you ARE a robot?
If, when one door shuts, another door opens, there's something wrong with your doors. They shouldn't be doing that.
TV detectives need a gimmick. Mine would be not caring who did it.
Afterthoughts goes beyond rumination, past pondering, probing further than ever before. Drawing from a deeply private pool of questions—a reservoir so refreshing you may never need to think again.
Market House
Mix and match between vibrant British and Asian menus at Market House — one of Cambridge’s favourite independent eateries, just minutes from the Corn Exchange.
Book your table for a pre-show meal!Accessibility Information
If you would like to book accessible seating, your account with the Cambridge Corn Exchange must have a tag applied to it. Please email tickets@cambridge.gov.uk or call 01223 357851 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm)* to request we add this tag to your account. Please read our access document in advance of booking to ensure the tickets you book are the most suitable.
Access to the box office
The Box Office for the Corn Exchange is called Cambridge Live Tickets and is located left of the venue, two doors down (next to the restaurant Steak & Honour.)
The Cambridge Live Tickets Box Office is currently closed, however, when there is a performance taking place the Box Office opens at 6pm (or an hour before a matinee starts) and closes half an hour after the start time (or until 9pm for standing performance.)
Here is a summary of Box Office features:
- Lowered kerb providing level access
- Automatic sliding doors to Box Office
- Large print seating plans
- A lowered counter
- An induction loop
- Wi-Fi
Audio Loop
There is an infra-red hearing enhancement system which can be used either with, or without a hearing aid. The system only works in the auditorium and balcony. The headphones and receiver can be obtained from the steward at the Customer Services Desk. No deposit is required but the stewards will ask for your name and seat number” There are 6 sets available which consist of, a headset, receiver and neck loop. There are certain areas within the auditorium where the system doesn’t work:- Rows S to Z, seats 1 to 8 (House Right), at the rear of the auditorium. Rows XF to XK Rows O to R, seats 1 to 4 Using the system with a hearing aid Headphones are attached to the receiver and then worn in a similar fashion to a personal stereo. For those customers with hearing aids without a T setting, we suggest using this system with headphones but removing your hearing aid whilst inside the auditorium. The loop should be placed around the customer’s neck and attached to the receiver. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver. Using the system without a hearing aid The headphones should be attached to the receiver and worn in similar fashion to a personal stereo. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver.
Wheelchair Access
Level Access and Automatic Doors (or No Doors)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at our venue.