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Chichester Festival Theatre
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Chichester Festival Theatre

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In Person: Oaklands Park, CHICHESTER, West Sussex, PO19 6AP
Phone: 01243 781312
Online: www.cft.org.uk/whats-on [?]
Email: box.office@cft.org.uk

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What's On Highlights

Hamlet
From:06-09-2025
To:04-10-2025
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Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

The death of his father, the king, turns Hamlet’s world upside down. Stunned by the horrifying secrets revealed, he loses all trust in the people closest to him.

Amidst a maelstrom of grief, suspicion and doubt, he embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery in which the betrayal of friends and family – and the decay at the heart of the state – are laid bare.

Justin Audibert, Artistic Director of CFT, directs Chichester’s first ever production of Shakespeare’s supreme tragedy.

Giles Terera, winner of an Olivier Award for Hamilton (West End), and Critics’ Circle Best Actor Award for Blues for an Alabama Sky and the title role in Othello at the National Theatre, plays Hamlet.

Approximately 3 Hours 30 mins

Lord of the Flies
From:19-09-2025
To:11-10-2025
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Which is better – law and rescue or hunting and breaking things up? To have rules and agree or to hunt and kill like a pack of savages?

William Golding’s compelling adventure takes us into the heart of darkness.

A plane crash on a desert island abandons a group of young survivors to fend for themselves. Quickly, tribal loyalties start to form. Despite attempts by Ralph and Piggy to keep order, school rules are shed along with their uniforms, and friendly alliances fast become ferocious divisions. As the children threaten to turn feral, a deadly struggle ensues between Ralph and his leadership rival, Jack. Will chaos overcome humanity – or, with a world at war beyond the island, can rescue come in time to save them?

A modern classic, Lord of the Flies has lost none of its riveting power since its publication in 1954; frequently ranked high in lists of iconic novels, and a constant presence on the school syllabus. Nigel Williams’s much admired stage adaptation premiered at the RSC in 1995.

Anthony Lau – Associate Artistic Director at Sheffield Theatres, where his productions included The Crucible, Miss Saigon, Rock/Paper/Scissors and The Good Person of Szechwan– directs.

Safe Space
From:11-10-2025
To:08-11-2025
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What’s in a name?

The winds of change are blowing through the elite ivy-league halls of one of America’s most prestigious universities. For students Isaiah, Connor, Annabelle, Omar and Stacy, on the precipice of starting their adult lives, life is no longer about getting through a political science lecture with a hangover and auditioning for the school acapella group. Confronting the injustices of the past is top of the agenda – starting with the fact that the college is named after a notorious defender of slavery.

And in this pressure cooker environment, everyone has to pick a side.

Beneath the passionate speeches, do old prejudices die hard? What happens to friendship and love amidst frank debate?

Jamie Bogyo’s whip-smart, hilarious and bracing new play takes us into the volatile quicksand of campus politics in the dying months of Obama’s presidency, and asks how – and if – we can escape the past.

Roy Alexander Weise, whose recent productions include The Hot Wing King and Nine Night (National Theatre), Untitled Fck Mss Sgon Play (Royal ExchangeYoung VicHeadlong) and Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), directs.

Friday Night Is Music Night: Celebrating Tony Bennett
From:24-10-2025
To:24-10-2025
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There’s music for everyone in BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night, live from Chichester!

Join the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Richard Balcombe for a heartfelt tribute to the timeless voice of Tony Bennett. With special guest singers Louise Dearman and Lance Ellington, enjoy lush orchestral arrangements of Bennett’s greatest hits in a magical evening of song, swing and unforgettable melodies.

Miriam Margolyes
From:25-10-2025
To:25-10-2025
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Off the back of her sold-out 2024 tour and Edinburgh show, Miriam returns, this time spinning her A-Z wheel, diving headfirst into an eclectic alphabetised mix of life’s standout moments.

Miriam will invite us deeper into her world, sharing new cherished memories and razor-sharp observations – and of course, a little bit of smut. Every letter reveals a new gem from her 84 extraordinary years.

Travels with Agatha Christie and Sir David Suchet
From:27-10-2025
To:27-10-2025
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Join Sir David Suchet CBE, the legendary actor who brought Hercule Poirot to life on screen for over 25 years, for an extraordinary evening of storytelling, insight, and unseen archive as he shares his personal pilgrimage in the footsteps of Dame Agatha Christie.

Based on the acclaimed Channel 4 series of the same name, this brand-new live show sees Sir David retrace the true story behind Christie’s 1920s voyage across the globe — a grand tour that spanned Canada, Hawaii, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Far from a typical travelogue, the journey peels back the curtain on the inspirations, relationships and real-life encounters that shaped the Queen of Crime’s life and writing.

Featuring exclusive footage and never-before-seen photography from the series, this captivating evening offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a deeply personal and revealing chapter in Christie’s life told through the eyes of the actor who knows her work more intimately than most.

Warm, intelligent, and full of wonder, this is an evening for curious minds and Christie devotees alike, that spans continents, stories, and time.

Red Sky at Sunrise
From:28-10-2025
To:28-10-2025
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Direct from the RSC, Anton Lesser (Andor, Endeavour) tells Laurie Lee’s extraordinary story, in a five-star, captivating weave of music and Lee’s own words. Adapted from Lee’s Cider With Rosie trilogy, when he famously walked out of the Slad Valley one summer morning and ended up fighting with the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War.

Anton Lesser and Charlie Hamblett (Missing You, Killing Eve) play Lee older and younger, and a rich array of other characters. Featuring ‘breathtaking’ music, travelling from the Gloucestershire countryside to the arid landscapes of Spain, performed by Orchestra of the Swan, including Spanish guitar.

The Clare Teal 7
From:30-10-2025
To:30-10-2025
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She’s back! Expect exhilarating swing from award-winning jazz vocalist and long time Radio 2 & Jazz FM broadcaster Clare Teal, who returns with a fabulous new show in 2025 to celebrate 25 years of touring. The Clare Teal 7 is a truly exciting collaboration between Clare and her regular trio, and some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians. Delving into her 22 album back catalogue, expect an evening of rich sounds and stories – always engaging – always uplifting.

Sandi Toksvig: Friends of Dorothy
From:31-10-2025
To:31-10-2025
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Come and join the comedian, broadcaster, campaigner (and tiny Danish beacon of hope) for an evening celebrating her love and passion for writers and books. A sell-out in 2024, this show is packed with fascinating stories, a lively Q&A and the much-contested ‘Cleverest Person in the Room’ game. Dive into Sandi's extraordinary collection as she explores outrageous and bizarre titles such as ‘The Beginners Guide to Sex in the Afterlife’ and ‘Cheese Problems Solved’.

Marking the paperback publication of her Sunday Times Bestselling novel, Sandi’s live shows are life-affirming, smart, and funny.

Grayson Perry: Are you good?
From:01-11-2025
To:01-11-2025
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‘I always start out with the assumption that people are born good and then life happens. So, let’s pull back the curtain and see where your morals truly lie. Are you as virtuous as you think? With lots of audience participation (don’t worry, no one leaves unscathed) and a few silly songs we’ll have an entertaining evening and come out with our core values completely in tatters. Is it more important to be good or to be right?

'It’s time to update what is a virtue and what is a sin. No biggie. Yours truly, Grayson Perry’

Emma
From:04-11-2025
To:08-11-2025
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I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.

The 250th anniversary of Bath’s favourite writer is celebrated in fitting style with a new stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s comedy of manners, Emma.

The beautiful, high-spirited Emma Woodhouse is determined that she will never marry but loves to meddle in her friends’ and neighbours’ relationships. When her confidante and former governess, Miss Taylor, weds her fiancé Mr Weston, Emma, having introduced the couple, takes credit for the marriage and decides that a future in matchmaking lies ahead of her.

So begins a comic journey through the lives and loves of Emma’s friends and neighbours, embracing the burgeoning Regency social scene of Bath and Weymouth. But as the romantic web she weaves amongst her friends becomes ever more entangled, will Emma herself get swept up in true love’s wake...?

Jane Austen’s enduring novel is filled with memorable characters – the dashing Mr Knightley, Emma’s friends Jane Fairfax and Harriet Smith, the mercenary Reverend Elton and his delightfully pretentious wife Augusta.

The Seagull
From:11-11-2025
To:15-11-2025
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A fading actress. A restless writer. A family’s country estate simmering with desire, ambition and regret.

Chekhov’s much-loved masterpiece soars anew in a darkly comic reimagining by Mike Poulton, with beloved stage and screen star Caroline Quentin leading a stellar ensemble.

A once-celebrated actress, Arkadina (Quentin) dominates every room she enters, leaving little chance for anyone else to shine. Her son, the tormented young playwright Konstantin, yearns to escape her shadow, revolutionise theatre, and win the heart of Nina, a luminous young woman with dreams of the stage. But when Nina’s gaze turns instead to Arkadina’s lover, the celebrated writer Trigorin, egos and passions collide with devastating consequences.

Ordinary Decent Criminal
From:14-11-2025
To:15-11-2025
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Set in the years following the Strangeways Prison Riot, meet recovering addict Frankie, played by renowned political comedian Mark Thomas as he enters the brave new world of a liberal prison experiment.

None of Frankie’s fellow convicts are what they seem. In the most unexpected of places he discovers that the revolution is not dead. It’s just sleeping.

A brand new play from the writer of the Fringe First winning England & Son and A Political History of Smack & Crack, Ed Edwards reunites with Mark Thomas to tell a tale of freedom, revolution and messy love. Directed by Paines Plough's Joint Artistic Director, Charlotte Bennett.

Approximately 1 Hour 10 mins

Shlomo's Beatbox Adventure for Kids
From:15-11-2025
To:15-11-2025
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SK Shlomo is a world record-breaking beatboxer who makes all kinds of music using just their mouth and a mic, and their 5-star sell-out show is back. Join this sonic superhero and become one of their sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged 1 or 101.

Liza Pulman sings STREISAND
From:17-11-2025
To:09-01-2026
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The much-loved singer and comedienne Liza Pulman (Fascinating Aïda) returns to Chichester following her sell-out show with Joe Stilgoe, A Couple of Swells. ‘One of the very few artists that can truly emulate the vocal skills of the iconic Barbra Streisand’, Liza's STREISAND show has played to packed houses in London's West End.

This ‘world-class show’ (Encore Radio) bring's Liza's personal slant on Streisand's life and music, with warmth, humour and compelling story-telling.

Featuring glorious new arrangements of classic songs including The Way We Were, Second Hand Rose, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, People and many more.

Ivo Graham: Carousel
From:18-11-2025
To:18-11-2025
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'Teddy told me that in Greek, nostalgia literally means the pain from an old wound. It’s a twinge in your heart, far more powerful than memory alone.' Ivo Graham, who has watched this Mad Men clip approximately 100 times, steps away from the frivolity of his stand-up and invites you onto his own carousel: around and around, backwards and forwards, to the places he aches to go again. A searingly direct, exquisitely soundtracked story of a life: good luck at your next meeting.

Approximately 1 Hour

When Vincent Met John
From:19-11-2025
To:19-11-2025
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Vincent died in 1890, John died in 1980, both of gunshot wounds to the chest. But imagine what might have happened, had the two greatest artists of their time, met?

Vincent van Gogh was a nineteenth-century Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art.

John Lennon was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who gained worldwide fame with The Beatles.

Around five years before their deaths both men went through profound change.

Vincent van Gogh finally renounced his religious ambitions and began to paint in earnest, and despite great arguments with antagonist Paul Gaugin created his life’s great masterworks.

John Lennon renounced sex, drugs and rock & roll and began five years seclusion as a family unit, and despite great arguments with antagonist Paul McCartney created a son, and what would be his last album.

This play takes place at their exact moment of crisis and decision, exploring love, death, art and legacy.

Dear England
From:20-11-2025
To:29-11-2025
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It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.

From multi award-winning writer James Graham (This House and Quiz, CFT, Sherwood, BBC) and director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Cold War), this five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph) tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager, in a 'gripping' (The Times) examination of nation and game.

Approximately 2 Hours 50 mins

Glenn Miller: His Life Story in Words & Music
From:21-11-2025
To:25-11-2025
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The most popular and successful band of the big band era, Glenn Miller and His Orchestra had a string of hits – Moonlight Serenade, Chattanooga Choo Choo, In The Mood, American Patrol, Little Brown Jug, At Last, Tuxedo Junction, Elmer’s Tune...

Join the 17-piece Phoenix Big Band with close‑harmony vocal group and string quartet in an exhilarating evening celebrating the life of Glenn Miller. A company of over 30 bring the Miller magic alive.

Kaleidoscope of Rainbows @ 50
From:22-11-2025
To:22-11-2025
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To mark the 50th anniversary of Kaleidoscope of Rainbows, Scott Stroman and the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra perform Neil Ardley’s masterpiece in full, alongside works by his contemporaries. This special evening celebrates one of the most enduring and globally-inspired works in British jazz history. Presented in association with Analogue October Records, Chichester’s independent label behind the 50th anniversary remaster of Neil Ardley’s classic album

Two Turtle Doves
From:26-11-2025
To:26-11-2025
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Join two of international cabaret’s grandest dames, Dillie Keane and Barb Jungr, as they jump giblets first into the festive season.

In 2021 these two giants joined forces for the first time ever to perform side-by-side and proved that this is an evening not to be mistletoed.

Featuring songs by Tom Waits, Ray Davies, the Chipmunks and Joni Mitchell, plus a hilarious take on The Twelve Days of Christmas, this is not standard Christmas fare. You’ll want second helpings of this pudding for sure.

Dillie Keane is known worldwide as a founding member of the legendary Fascinating Aïda and has played in pretty much every theatre in the country and far beyond. Barb Jungr is known worldwide for her work on Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen's songs, and as a radical interpreter of the New American Songbook. Dillie and Barb will be accompanied by Tony Award-winner Michael Roulston (Julian Clary, Fascinating Aïda, Lily Savage, Alvin Stardust and Issy Van Randwyck) on piano.

A brilliant festive night out full of glorious harmonies, musicality, emotion and fun!

Christmas Concerts
From:02-12-2025
To:06-12-2025
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

We welcome back The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and the uplifting voices of the Chichester Cathedral Choir for our traditional, much loved Christmas Concerts – guaranteed to leave you feeling merry and bright.

Brimming with yuletide cheer, our concerts promise an evening of cherished carols and classic Christmas melodies, alongside some enchanting new arrangements. And of course there will be an opportunity for a gloriously uplifting sing-along with a medley of seasonal favourites.

This festive celebration promises to wrap you in the warm glow of the holiday spirit.

The Three Little Pigs
From:06-12-2025
To:28-12-2025
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From the award-winning Stiles and Drewe (The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Honk!, Half a Sixpence) comes The Three Little Pigs – a “very curly musical tail” that is perfect for the whole family!

This charming and witty adventure is full of catchy songs and clever rhymes which will have you squealing with glee as three superstar piglets set about defeating the Big Bad Wolf.

Devoted Mother Pig is raising her three little pigs – sporty Bar, nature-loving Bee and bookworm Q – after Father Pig was gobbled by the Big Bad Wolf. But when their home starts looking like a really messy pigsty, Mother encourages her fast-growing youngsters to make their own way in the big wide world.

Bar, Bee and Q set about building their own houses from straw, sticks and bricks. But can they get the better of the huffing, puffing, always hungry (and a bit misunderstood) Big Bad Wolf?

A co-production with the Unicorn Theatre, this hugely entertaining adaptation of the classic tale is a perfect musical Christmas treat for young families.

A Boy Called Christmas
From:15-12-2025
To:31-12-2025
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To see something, you have to believe in it. Really believe it. That's the first elf rule. You can't see something you don't believe in.

An enthralling, charming and magical tale that tells the true story of Father Christmas.

For 11-year-old Nikolas, whose nickname is Christmas because he was born on 25 December, life isn’t easy. With only a doll made out of a turnip to keep him company, he believes in happiness but isn’t happy very often. Until the day he sets out – with his pet mouse Miika and a reindeer called Blitzen – on an extraordinary quest to follow his father and to find Elfhelm, the fabled village of the elves.

Join Nikolas on this life-changing adventure, full of fantastic characters and beautiful moments, and watch how one little boy comes to be the very symbol of Christmas itself. Full to bursting with festive wonder, this story from the award-winning writer Matt Haig – adapted for the stage by Philip Wilson (Cinderella, Grimm Tales), with original live music and songs by Tom Brady (Pinocchio, The Butterfly Lion) – will warm the hearts of audiences young and old.

In their 40th anniversary year, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre bring their magical gifts for storytelling to another captivating Christmas production, directed by Dale Rooks (The Wind in the Willows, Hey! Christmas Tree).

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts
From:06-01-2026
To:10-01-2026
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A chilling mystery unfolds when a young actress suddenly dies on stage during a performance, and Detective Chief Inspector Morse embarks on a gripping investigation. What begins as a suspicious death inquiry takes a darker turn when the legendary inspector, together with DS Lewis, uncovers a connection to sinister events in his own past, 25 years earlier.

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts marks the first-ever stage adaptation of the iconic detective. ITV’s long-running Inspector Morse, hailed by Radio Times as ‘the greatest British crime series of all time’, has inspired equally beloved spin-offs, Lewis and Endeavour.

Starring Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Strictly Come Dancing) as Inspector Morse, this original story written for the stage is a must-see for fans of compelling detective stories and thrilling mysteries.

The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins
From:14-01-2026
To:14-01-2026
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You may know her as Bake-Off Sue, Taskmaster Sue, Just A Minute Sue, or the Sue that gives you travel envy - but stand-up Sue is full of surprises. In this brand-new show, she shares the unlikely happenings from a career in the spotlight.

What’s the fallout when your pituitary gland goes haywire on live TV? How do you convince the public you didn’t really fall onto that hoover attachment? And when intimate photos get splashed all over the internet, how do you switch the shame to dignity and joy?

In her first live show in over a decade, Sue delivers a hilarious treatise on stigma, humiliation, and misunderstanding.

Friday Night Is Music Night
From:15-01-2026
To:15-01-2026
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Step into a world of musical magic with BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night, live from Chichester. Conducted by the dynamic Jérôme Kuhn and featuring the radiant soprano Alison Scherzer, the BBC Concert Orchestra presents a sparkling evening of orchestral gems and songs, featuring familiar favourites and delightful discoveries. A night of elegance, emotion and entertainment awaits – join us!

Little M
From:16-01-2026
To:16-01-2026
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Have you ever wondered what’s below the surface?

Little M is a reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid for anyone who feels like they're swimming against the tide.

When Little M and their friend Punk the Puffer Fish discover a suitcase of mysterious treasures and set off on an epic adventure in this extraordinary coming of age story.

Featuring puppetry, magical transformations, and dance, Little M is a celebration of difference for everyone aged nine and above.

Little M is choreographed and co-directed by Anders Duckworth, and written and co-directed by Luke Skilbeck

Nigel Havers
From:16-01-2026
To:16-01-2026
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'Well, here it is - my first ever solo show. Just me, a stage, and a lifetime of gloriously ridiculous stories to share. You'll get the full Havers experience: charm, wit, and absolutely no running in slow motion. Of course, there'll be behind-the-scenes gossip, tales of triumph (and disaster), moments of sheer madness, and a fair amount of talking b*ll*cks. Come along for a night of laughter, nostalgia, and, dare I say, charm. It's going to be a lot of fun - I promise.'

The Selsey Shantymen
From:17-01-2026
To:17-01-2026
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Selsey in West Sussex is famous for Selsey Bill, its seafood and fishing fleet, the RNLI Lifeboat station and the rousing sea shanties of The Selsey Shantymen!

The Shantymen have been singing together for eight years and perform across the south of England and in Europe. They are delighted to be performing at the Minerva Theatre for the first time.

Being Mr Wickham
From:20-01-2026
To:24-01-2026
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Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight.

Continuing the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Adrian Lukis, who starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham.

Join Pride and Prejudice’s most roguish gentleman, George Wickham, on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, to lift the sheets on what exactly happened thirty years on from where we left him… and discover his own version of some very famous literary events.

What really happened with Darcy…?
What did he feel about Lizzie…?
What happened at Waterloo? Not to mention Byron…

Approximately 1 Hour

The Constant Wife
From:20-01-2026
To:24-01-2026
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1927. Constance is a very unhappy woman.

“Nonsense” says her mother, “she eats well, sleeps well, dresses well and she’s losing weight. No woman can be unhappy in those circumstances.”

Constance is the perfect wife and mother, and her husband is as devoted to her as he is to his mistress, who just happens to be her best friend.

Adapted by Olivier Award-winner Laura Wade (The Watsons, CFT; Home, I’m Darling, TVs Rivals) from Somerset Maugham’s glittering comedy, this production originally opened in Stratford upon Avon to marvellous reviews and sold every seat. Directed by Co-Artistic Director of the RSC Tamara Harvey, this sparkling new version will star Kara Tointon (TVs Mr Selfridge and winner of Strictly Come Dancing) and features original music composed by multi award-winning jazz artist Jamie Cullum.

Death on the Nile
From:27-01-2026
To:31-01-2026
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Bitter rivals. Buried secrets. A love to die for.

On board a luxurious cruise under the heat of the Egyptian sun, a couple’s idyllic honeymoon is cut short by a brutal murder. As secrets that have been buried in the sands of time finally resurface, can the world-famous detective, Hercule Poirot, untangle the web of lies and solve another crime?

Following the sell-out tour of Murder on the Orient Express, the European premiere of this thrilling production reunites writer Ken Ludwig, celebrated director Lucy Bailey (The Other Boleyn Girl, CFT; Witness for the Prosecution) and Fiery Angel.

Starring as Poirot is Mark Hadfield (Belfast; Outlander; Wallander), who will be joined on stage by Glynis Barber (Dempsey and Makepeace, EastEnders) and Bob Barrett (Murder on the Orient Express, Holby City). This brand new adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic is not to be missed.

Emma Johnson and The Orchestra for the Environment
From:28-01-2026
To:28-01-2026
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Clarinettist Emma Johnson MBE and her exciting new orchestra, The Orchestra for the Environment, give concerts of the highest possible standard to highlight the wonders of nature and the need to take action to combat climate change.

Their programme includes colourful pieces inspired by the natural world by Holst and Puccini as well as Johnson’s own evocative settings of folk songs and nature lover Gerald Finzi’s heartfelt Clarinet Concerto.

Mark Simmons: Jest to Impress
From:29-01-2026
To:29-01-2026
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Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2024

As seen on Mock The Week, BT Sport and ITV, ‘Master of one-liners’ Mark Simmons had a groundbreaking 200+ date sell-out debut tour lasting two years, spanning the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Mark is back on tour in 2026 with Jest To Impress, a brand new show packed with even more expertly crafted one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions.

Mark is enjoying further success with his podcast, Jokes With Mark Simmons, where he invites a fellow comic, such as Gary Delaney, Sarah Millican, Milton Jones, and Penn & Teller to discuss jokes that they’ve written but for whatever reason couldn’t get to work.

Shear Brass: Celebrating Sir George Shearing
From:30-01-2026
To:30-01-2026
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Led by Sir George Shearing’s great nephew, drummer Carl Gorham, Shear Brass brings a fresh and dynamic new approach to the music of one of Britain’s greatest ever jazz pianists and composers. Combining the punch of a big band with the intimacy of a small group, this hard-swinging, highly melodic outfit showcases some of the UK’s most gifted soloists.

Nick Sharratt's Picture Book Drawalong
From:31-01-2026
To:31-01-2026
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Join much-loved children's writer and illustrator Nick Sharratt in a family-friendly, fun-filled drawalong for all ages.

He’ll be sharing his favourite books, introducing you to brand new ones and showing you how to draw lots of exciting characters and create your own ones too! There'll be lots of tips and games along the way. Bring your drawing things, paper and something to lean on.

Nick has illustrated around 300 books including the much-loved ‘You Choose’, ‘Shark in the Park’ and ‘Pants’ series. He’s worked with authors including Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen and Kes Gray, and he’s illustrated lots of Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s phenomenally popular children’s novels. Nick’s also been awarded a gold Blue Peter badge!

It Walks Around The House At Night
From:03-02-2026
To:06-02-2026
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When an out-of-work actor takes a job playing a ghost at an old countryside manor, he expects a few cheap scares but soon uncovers something far more frightening.

Joe is barely scraping a living working in a bar. So, when a rich handsome stranger offers him an unusual but well-paid gig, he can’t say no. But the role turns chillingly real, as Joe begins to suspect something else is lurking in the shadows.

It Walks Around The House At Night takes the audience on five spooky night-time walks with Joe - but is something following?

A haunted house story for a new era, brought to life with haunting tricks, chilling twists, and a generous dose of dark humour.

A theatrical horror - where the stage is set… for terror.

Approximately 1 Hour 20 mins

Le Gateau Chocolat: Musicals Mayhem
From:13-02-2026
To:14-02-2026
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Serving Do-Re-Mi with Hi-La-Ri-Tea

Imagine a Music Box, a Chocolate Box, and a Dress-Up Box all collide and burst into life… their name would be Le Gateau Chocolat!

Your favourite Black, bearded, and bass singing drag icon is finally returning to Chichester, with a Valentine’s special full of musical theatre madness, singalong and more.

Expect mountains of laughs, a stream of nostalgia, and a tug at the heartstrings as Le Gateau Chocolat crams every single musical you know and love into an hour of high kicks, high drag and high glamour.

Approximately 1 Hour

The Koala Who Could
From:17-02-2026
To:22-02-2026
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Based on the bestselling picture book about taking a chance. An empowering and chuckle-out-loud story about embracing change — whether we like it or not. ‘In a wonderful place, at the breaking of dawn, where the breezes were soft and the sunshine was warm, a place where the creatures ran wild and played free... A Koala called Kevin clung to a tree.’

Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friends kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that ‘life can be great when you try something new!’

Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field published by Hachette Children’s Group, this brand-new stage adaptation is directed by Emma Earle (Oi Frog & Friends!), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (The Lion Inside and CFT’s Hey! Christmas Tree).

The BFG
From:09-03-2026
To:11-04-2026
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Gather your chiddlers to see Roald Dahl’s unforgettable story come to life this spring. This magical new adaptation by Tom Wells (The Kitchen Sink, Jumpers For Goalposts) is directed by former CFT Artistic Director, current RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans, whose Chichester productions included Quiz, South Pacific and Our Generation.

Get in early and secure your tickets for our Festival 2026 opener.

One extraordinary night, a young orphan named Sophie is snatched by a giant and taken far away to Giant Country. There she learns that human-eating giants are guzzling ‘norphans’ the world over. But she soon discovers that her new friend, the BFG, is different – he’s a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching gentle soul who refuses to eat humans.

While other giants terrorise the world, the BFG ignites Sophie’s imagination, and they devise a daring plan to save children everywhere. In the end, the smallest human bean and the gentlest giant prove that a dream can change the world.

John Leader plays the BFG; his previous theatre credits include Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal for the RSC, Wuthering Heights, Peter Pan and War Horse at the National Theatre, A Monster Calls at The Old Vic and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Bridge Theatre.

Gianni Schicchi (or Where There’s A Will)
From:11-03-2026
To:12-03-2026
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OperaUpClose returns to the Minerva with a brilliantly subversive and satirical take on Puccini’s enduringly popular family farce. A modern twist on a classic set to delight both opera lovers and curious newcomers alike.

Directed by award winning PJ Harris, rising stars Dan D’Souza and Ceferina Penny lead a stellar cast of opera singers and players in a new English version by Hannah Kumari, re-orchestrated by Vahan Salorian.

Puccini’s comic masterpiece comes roaring into the 21st century, in a modern day ‘whodunnit’ challenging a world where everyone is out for themselves.

Every performance will feature creative captioning as part of the production design.

To find out what else is happening at Chichester Festival Theatre, visit their website here.
Transport

Chichester Station is a 20 minute walk from the theatre, with regular direct links to London Victoria, Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Gatwick Airport. Trains to London Waterloo connect at nearby Havant. Call 08457 484950 for timetables and other details or visit nationalrail.co.uk.

Parking

Northgate Car Park (PO19 6AA) is a 900-space pay and display car park next to the Theatre which charges from 8am until 8pm Monday - Saturday and 10am until 5pm on Sundays.

Matinee days are particularly busy so please allow plenty of time.

Cafe

The Café in the Festival Theatre is a great spot for a light lunch or a good coffee, and also serves freshly made sandwiches, salads, delicious cakes, and a range of hot and cold drinks.

Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 10am until the end of the interval of the evening performance. On non-performance days The Café closes at 5pm.

Restaurant

The Brasserie on the ground floor of the Minerva Theatre is open for pre-show dining in new stylish and elegant surroundings. The restaurant serves a contemporary British menu using local and seasonal ingredients as well as an excellent choice of wines.

Opening times: 12.30pm - 2.30pm on matinee days and from 5.30pm for evening performances.

Bar

The Minerva Bar upstairs provides a more relaxed atmosphere, and offers both main meals and lighter food options.

Opening times: Open 90 minutes before performances.

Access Info

For detailed access information please visit the theatre's access page: www.cft.org.uk/your-visit/access

Chichester Festival Theatre is one of the UK’s flagship theatres, renowned for the exceptionally high standard of its productions as well as its work with the community and young people. Situated in a cathedral city in West Sussex between the South Downs and the sea, the Festival Theatre’s bold thrust stage design makes it one of England’s most striking playhouses – equally suited to epic drama and musicals. Its studio theatre, the Minerva, is particularly noted for premieres of new work alongside intimate revivals.

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