Chichester Festival Theatre announces winter season

Published: 19 September 2014
Reporter: Sheila Connor

Following the reopening of the refurbished Festival Theatre, Chichester has announced its first winter season since 2011.

Work for children and young people is a thread running throughout the season. December heralds the return of the youth theatre to the main stage with a production of the canine classic The Hundred and One Dalmations, adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Dale Rooks.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, based on the best-seling novel by John Boyne, premières in February.

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre award-winning production of To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee's novel, will take place in January, with the true story of The King's Speech—the West End play which inspired the film—in February starring Jason Donovan.

Robert Bathurst stars in Love, Loss and Chianti, a touching and funny exploration of relationships which premières in January by Christopher Reid.

A short story by Virginia Woolf is the inspiration for Like Rabbits in January, a collaboration between Lost Dog and playwright Lucy Kirkwood, and a tale of women, their men and astronomy is told in Stella by Siobhan Nicholas, staged by Take the Space.

Robert Webb reprises his role as Bertie Wooster in Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, adapted from the works of PG Wodehouse and directed by Sean Foley.

Bouncers, a comedy written and directed by John Godber, paints a vivid portrait of one night in a 1980s night club, and Funny Business is promised by comedian Jimmy Carr.

Moscow City Ballet returns with Giselle and The Nutcracker, while younger audience members can look forward to Arthur's Dream Boat presented by Long Nose Puppets and There was an Old Woman by Oily Cart Production.

There will be a variety of one-night concerts. The BBC Concert Orchestra returns to its regional home for Friday Night is Music Night in January and Essential Classics in March. A Swinging Affair features Claire Martin and saxophonist and vocalist Ray Gelato. The BBC Big Band celebrates the swing era in January and Southern Pro Musica returns with its Children's Concert with musical classics and plenty of audience participation.

Public booking opens (online only) on 29 September and on 1 October by 'phone and in person.

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