Chichester Festival Theatre, located in Chichester, England, was designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, and opened by its founder Leslie Evershed-Martin in 1962. Subsequently the smaller and more intimate Minerva Theatre was built nearby in 1989.
The inaugural Artistic Director was Sir Laurence Olivier, and it was at Chichester that the first National Theatre company was formed. Chichester's productions would transfer to the NT's base at the Old Vic in London.
The Festival Season runs from April to September and includes productions from classics to contemporary writing and musicals.
During this time the theatre also puts on outdoor promenade performances and organises other festival events including cabaret and comedy nights. A range of events is designed to add to the experience of visiting the theatre, including Platform Events, Family Days and Talks.
The Theatre is currently run as a registered charity is chaired by Lord Young of Graffham.
Artistic directors
- Sir Laurence Olivier (1962–1965)
- Sir John Clements (1966–1973)
- Keith Michell (1974–1977)
- Peter Dews (1978–1980)
- Patrick Garland (1981–1984)
- John Gale (1985–1989)
- Michael Rudman (1990)
- Patrick Garland (1991–1994)
- Sir Derek Jacobi and Duncan C. Weldon (1995–1997)
- Andrew Welch (1998–2002)
- Martin Duncan, Ruth Mackenzie and Steven Pimlott (2003–2005)
- Jonathan Church (2006 to date)
2009 Autumn Season
- Spike Milligan's Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall - directed by Tim Carroll
- Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance - presented by Carl Rosa Opera
- I Found My Horn - by Jonathan Guy Lewis and Jasper Rees
- Entertaining Angels - by Richard Everett, presented by Michael Codron and Theatre Royal Bath Productions
- The Winter's Tale - by William Shakespeare, presented by Schtanhaus/Nuffield Theatre Southampton and Headlong
- Pride & Prejudice - by Jane Austen, presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions
- Mrs Warren's Profession - by George Bernard Shaw, presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions
- Christmas Concerts - with Philip Franks and Stephanie Cole
- Berlin/Wall - written and performed by David Hare
- The Snow Queen - presented by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre in a new adaptation by Bryony Lavery with music and lyrics by Jason Carr
- Romeo & Juliet and The Sleeping Beauty - presented by Moscow City Ballet
- Calendar Girls by Tim Firth
The 2010 Festival Season is due to be announced in February 2010
External links
Coordinates: 50°50′35″N 0°46′39″W / 50.843095°N 0.777429°W
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