A Wimbledon line judge for 20 years, comedian Pauline Eyre is ready to spill the Pimms on tennis gossip from the fragrant royal box to the musty locker room, and why line judges are OUT! Expect smashing stories, ace anecdotes and a 40-love letter to the game. And there’s nobody to say ‘quiet please’. She cannot be serious… can she? Fresh from sold-out run at Edinburgh Fringe 2025.
Ages 16+
Join cast members from our Festival 2026 shows as they table read brand-new scripts for the first time.Get a glimpse behind the creative process and be the first to hear these new plays out loud brought to life by the talented casts of our Festival productions.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/first-read-fridays
Dylan Ward is autistic. He has his own way of thinking and his own way of doing things, but no one seems to understand him. How do you navigate a world which operates on a completely different wavelength to the one that you’re on? Following its critically acclaimed run at Camden Fringe last year, and based on real experiences of growing up autistic, Tides (An Autism Story) combines Monty Python-esque humour with a touch of real-world drama to offer an insight into the wonderful, yet challenging world of autism... from one particularly silly individual.
Ages 15+
Stuff and Nonsense presents a brilliantly bonkers show from the makers of smash hit The Gingerbread Man and other family theatre triumphs. Ever felt like the world’s playing hide and seek with your stuff? One moment it’s there... the next, poof! Your toy, your glasses, your book, your sock... even your ideas, gone. Meet Rey, an imagination expert, a question-asker, a glorious misplacer of everything, and by their side, Rabbit, their forever-loved bunny, wise and fiercely loyal. The one who's always there when the world feels too much.Together they set off on an unforgettable quest, to find all the things they’ve ever lost.Whilst Rey & Rabbit explore they realise the trail of Lost Things doesn’t end with them. Other people have Lost Things too! As Rey begins to realise that being a 'loser' might not be that bad, something remarkable starts to happen. What if losing things wasn’t the problem but the path?This bold, funny and heart-tugging adventure mixes puppetry, visual storytelling and beautiful twists of the imagination, to explore our brilliant, often bewildering brains and what it means to live life a little out of order.A joyful adventure for families with curious minds and big hearts, and for anyone who’s ever felt a little out of step. Suitable for ages 3+
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/rabbit-rey-and-the-lost-things
Fresh from their first award-winning family friendly sketch show, Rachel and Ruby are back.It's double the funny, double the silly, double the sketch and it's fun for children, their adults and any ghosts or pigeons that wander in. Winners of Best Kids' Show, 2023 Leicester Comedy Festival / UK Kids' Comedy Festival. As seen at The Southbank Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Girl Guides UK and more!
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/shelf-the-kids-show-2-the-power-of-two
This plaster will outlive me. I shape these rooms but in turn they have moulded me. Hiding secrets. Weak spots made to look strong.Meet Danny, plastering since he was a kid, he’s not scared of anything, he's RUM. Danny’s been up all night and now he’s rushing to finish a job before he has to give the speech of his life. RUM is a darkly humorous and powerful play that wrestles with masculinity, mental health and addiction in the trade.Written and performed by Joe Mallalieu and directed by Tess Seddon, this powerful play is returning to tour the UK in 2026 following successes at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024 (winner of Broadway Baby’s Bobby Award) and a UK Tour in 2025.RUM is proudly partnered with ANDYSMANCLUB, a men’s suicide prevention charity who offer free to attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18 across the UK and online.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/rum
Twirl, whirl and wonder - discover home through dance, music and magical play.Inspired by Sufi mystic Rumi, and the mesmerising whirling dervishes, evim [my home] is a magical and interactive performance for children aged 2-7 and their families. 'If light is in your heart, you will find your way home.' - RumiFollow three wanderers as they search for belonging… in places, with people, or in a feeling… Twirl, whirl and play as the performers take you on a spellbinding journey to find a place to call home. A wonderful introduction to dance theatre for young children, using captivating movement and enchanting music in this non-verbal and sensory show.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/evim-my-home
Brand new for 2026, Chichester Fringe comes to life at The Nest, bringing an exciting line-up of performances within the Fringe fortnight (30 May – 14 June). From laugh-out-loud improvised comedy and magical children’s theatre to soul-stirring folk music and powerful theatre productions, this year’s programme promises something for everyone. Whatever your taste, Chichester Fringe is the place to discover bold, brilliant live performances.Tickets, show info and prices are available directly from Chichester Fringe.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/chichester-fringe-at-the-nest
Inspired by the wonder of the natural world, The Music of Trees weaves together storytelling, woodland folklore and mythology with a suite of original compositions featuring Geoff Robb's signature blend of classical, jazz, Celtic and Spanish influences.The Music of Trees has captivated audiences across the UK and promises to educate and entertain, blending magical storytelling and virtuoso guitar that promises to transport you out into the woods.Geoff is a master of the acoustic guitar with an intricate, richly harmonic style and the winner of the Brighton Fringe Live Music Award. Geoff has performed at Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament and Glastonbury Festival and has supported many top acts from across the world including folk legend Shirley Collins and guitarist Estas Tonne.If you love nature and enjoy beautiful acoustic guitar music then this is the show for you!
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/the-music-of-trees
Laugh Out Proud is London's brand new LGBTQIA+ comedy night featuring the best in established and upcoming acts from the community on the UK comedy circuit. This is an evening all about giving acts and audiences alike a fun and friendly place to express themselves, kick back, have a laugh and good time in an inclusive and welcoming space.Laugh Out Proud at The Nest will feature the stand-up delights of Mark Cram, Alice Frick and headlined by the wonderful Andrew White!Alice Frick is an award-winning comedian and Funny Women Finalist. She started comedy in Austria and Germany, then spent one year in Los Angeles before moving to the UK.In her comedy solo show, What The Frick, she chats about being a foreigner in the UK and coming out as gay to her religious grandmother.Mark Cram is quite the all-rounder; with both a killer set and strong MCing chops. For the last few years Mark has been plying his comedy trade across the UK. Constantly evolving, usually unpredictable; he is garnering positive reactions everywhere he goes.Mark thrills crowds with his tales of dead-end jobs, his family and being the less than grateful winner of Bedford Comedian of the Year. Flamboyantly repressed and optimistically cynical, Andrew White is a stand-up fast rising through the comedy ranks with an act that's 'not to be missed' (Daily Record).Andrew performs all over the country, most notably, he's taken three successful shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/laugh-out-proud
What do you get if you cross Jane Austen’s most famous novel with a bunch of buffoons? Pride and Prejudice…. But Funny! A ridiculous romp through all the Bennets, Bingleys, bachelors and balls (not that kind), and not forgetting the de Bourghs and Darcys. Featuring at least one soaking wet shirt and some excellent boiled potatoes, this hilarious retelling of Austen’s most loved story is not to be missed!
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/pride-and-prejudice-but-funny
We are teaming up with Brighton Fringe, Komedia and South East Dance to bring you the top picks of the Brighton Fringe to The Nest across three areas - New Writing, Comedy and Dance. Fresh from performing as part of England's largest annual open-access arts festival, three hand-picked performances will land in The Nest at the end of June.Expect laughs, new words and powerful movement. Once selected our Dance pick of the Brighton Fringe will be announced, until then, stay tuned!
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/pick-of-brighton-fringe-dance
We are teaming up with Brighton Fringe, Komedia and South East Dance to bring you the top picks of the Brighton Fringe to The Nest across three areas - New Writing, Comedy and Dance. Fresh from performing as part of England's largest annual open-access arts festival, three hand-picked performances will land in The Nest at the end of June.Expect laughs, new words and powerful movement. Once selected our Comedy pick of the Brighton Fringe will be announced, until then, stay tuned!
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/pick-of-brighton-fringe-with-komedia
We are teaming up with Brighton Fringe, Komedia and South East Dance to bring you the top picks of the Brighton Fringe to The Nest across three areas - New Writing, Comedy and Dance. Fresh from performing as part of England's largest annual open-access arts festival, three hand-picked performances will land in The Nest at the end of June.Expect laughs, new words and powerful movement. Once selected our New Writing pick of the Brighton Fringe will be announced, until then, stay tuned!
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/pick-brighton-fringe-new-writing
Be part of bold new theatre at The Nest!Join us for a night of scratch performances from a brilliant mix of theatre-makers testing out new ideas, scenes and stories. These are works-in-progress, and your reactions, thoughts and feedback could help take them to the next stage.Expect a lively, informal night of theatre that's rough around the edges but full of heart. Come curious. Stay for the conversation. Acts to be announced closer to the performance date.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/under-construction
Join us for Comedy at The Nest!Headlining the show is stand-up comedian, actor and writer, Sunil Patel.Known for his starring role as Sujan in Borderline, (Channel 5) and as John Robbins’ sidekick and fact-master in quiz show Beat the Internet (Dave), Sunil also co-hosts the BBC Sounds podcast series, But Where Are You Really From?. Sunil has also featured in ITV2’s The Stand Up Sketch Show, Comedy Central Live and Jonathan Ross's Comedy Club on ITV. He is a regular at the Edinburgh Festival, with his most recent show, the 'immensely entertaining'(Entertainment Now) Faster Horses,receiving rave reviews and a run at the Soho Theatre in 2023.He has had roles in many TV shows including Alice and Jack and Stath Lets Flats (both Channel 4), The Witchfinder (BBC Two), Bloods (Sky One) and This Time with Alan Partridge (BBC One). Sunil has hosted his own Radio 4 comedy show An Idiot’s Guide to Bagging an Heiress, the follow up to his previous Radio 4 show, An Idiot's Guide To Cryptocurrency in 2022.Opening the show is Pierre Hollins. An audience favourite on the comedy circuit for many years, Pierre has supported acts such as Lenny Henry and Rory Bremner, appeared in the West End with Rita Rudner and toured with The Flying Pickets and Willie Rushton & Barry Cryer. Using his guitar to deliver a host of clever jokes that rhyme, it’s easy to see why Pierre has been at the top of the game for so many years. His TV credits include Saturday Night Live (Channel 4), Hugh & Laurie (BBC) and Jerry Sadovitz Show (Channel 5).They’ll be joined by up-and-coming comedy star Micah Hall. Hailing from South London, Micah has quickly become a rising star in the comedy scene with his unique blend of hard-hitting honesty and laid-back humour. Micah has performed stand up on BAFTA-winning The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan and won a much coveted place on the annual Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe. He also joined Babatunde Aléshé as support on his smash hit nationwide tour, Babahood.All hosted by the brilliant Jeremy O’Donnell!
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/comedy-at-the-nest-july-2026
Writer, actor and theatre-maker Alice Mary Cooper presents The Bush, following the success of her previous solo work Waves. In this one-woman performance, Alice, 'a born storyteller' (The West Australian) recalls the inspiring true story of 13 1970s 'housewives' who battled for 13 years to save bushland in her native Sydney - starting a nationwide movement of Green Bans, protecting land and the natural environment from destruction across Australia. It is a story of grassroots community environmental activism, an unlikely alliance between conservatives and communists, and how a ten-year campaign helped save a piece of native bushland in a Sydney suburb. The show speaks to the current climate crisis and campaign for a Just Transition, while also joyfully celebrating a pivotal moment in the history of global environmental and feminist movements. Audiences 14+ will experience a highly energetic performance told in Alice’s distinctive physical storytelling style. A timely celebration of community environmental action that promises to entertain, encourage and empower.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/the-bush
Daniel was determined to handle his big breakup with the grace of Julia Roberts. He didn’t. Join him as he navigates dating in your 30s, Le Creuset addiction and 12-step skincare routines, all while trying very hard to emanate love and light.Described by Rolling Stone as ‘utterly hilarious and effortlessly charismatic’, award-winning stand-up Daniel Foxx is best known for his viral comedy videos, which are enjoyed by millions of women and gays online. His critically-acclaimed debut show Villain toured internationally, including a sell-out run at New York’s SoHo Playhouse and London's legendary Clapham Grand. He co-hosts the podcast Welcome To Hell with fellow comic Dane Buckley, which debuted in Apple and Spotify's Top 10 comedy charts, and he is the author of the hit book Bedtime Stories for Privileged Children.
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/daniel-foxx-how-lovely
Ryan Young is a Scottish fiddle player working within the traditional music of Scotland. His playing is noted for its distinctive tone and phrasing, with an approach that places melody and expression at the centre of the music.He first came to wider attention with his debut album, produced by four-time Grammy winner Jesse Lewis (Béla Fleck, Yo-Yo Ma), establishing the foundations of a career that has since developed an international reach. He has toured extensively across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, and is recognised for a style that draws on both Scottish and Irish traditions.Ryan is a multi-award-winning artist and has received multiple nominations at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, including back-to-back nominations in recent years and most recently for Musician of the Year in 2025. He has also been a finalist in both the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.His recordings have received consistent critical attention, with The Scotsman awarding five-star reviews across his work. In live performance, he has been described as “a force of nature.”Young’s third studio album, due for release in May 2026, is produced by and features Martin Hayes. Recorded with engineer Patrick Phillips (The Gloaming, Peter Gabriel), the album includes contributions from Stuart McCallum (The Breath, Cinematic Orchestra) and Louis Campbell (Sam Lee, Sam Sweeney).
thenest.cft.org.uk/events/ryan-young
Chichester Station is a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi ride away, with regular direct links to London Victoria, Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Gatwick Airport. Connect to London Waterloo trains at nearby Havant. The number 60 Stagecoach bus stops near the Theatre.The M27 and A27 run along the coast, linking Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. The M3, A3, A29, A259 and A24 connect Portsmouth, Southampton, Mid-Sussex and London. Use the map above for directions to Chichester Festival Theatre. It's also worth looking out for scheduled roadworks on the West Sussex Council website.We'd encourage you to think green and minimise car travel where possible but recognise that driving may be your only travel option. If so, you have the option to carbon-offset your journey for £1, when booking your tickets. This £1 goes directly to Ecologi to support carbon-offsetting projects and international tree-planting programmes. Read more about this partnership here.
Northgate Car Park (PO19 6AA) is a 900-space council-run pay and display car park right on our doorstep, which charges from 8am until 8pm Monday - Saturday and 10am until 5pm on Sundays. You can pay by cash, card and contactless and the MiPermit app - chichester.gov.uk/mipermitThe car park can get very busy, and often full with city centre shoppers as well as our audiences. Allow plenty of time to park (especially if you're coming to a matinee!) and consider alternative car parks in Chichester. You can find all options at chichester.gov.uk/parking.If you have a Blue Badge you can park anywhere in Northgate Car Park free of charge. There are 8 non-reservable spaces close to the Theatre entrance. Visit Chichester District Council for other available car parks.
Looking for a bite to eat? You can grab food from other outlets on the CFT site, some do require booking, head to www.cft.org.uk/your-visit/food-drink for more information about what's on offer at CFT and the opening times.
We have a bar at The Nest which opens 45 minutes before the show starts so you can grab a drink before heading in. The bar is located in our small but perfectly formed front of house space which is open to the elements, we also have some seats and tables on our outdoor decking space when the weather allows.
Chichester’s new creative venue for fresh ideas, new voices and local artists. It’s part of CFT but with a more intimate, informal vibe. Think fringe theatre, stand-up comedy live music, interactive shows for early years, and community-led events - all in one welcoming space. Come see something different or start something yourself.Whether you’re watching or performing, The Nest is a place where stories are shared, experiments take shape and ideas come to life. The Nest is home to live events you won’t find anywhere else in Chichester — from up-and-coming comedians and acoustic gigs to new theatre and shows for little ones. All tickets are under £20, and it’s always unreserved bench seating. Just turn up, grab a drink, and dive in.
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