Chichester Festival Theatre

One of the UK’s flagship regional theatres

Immerse yourself in one of England’s most striking playhouses, Chichester’s Festival Theatre. With its bold thrust stage design, the Festival Theatre is equally suited to epic drama as it is musicals. Its studio theatre, the Minerva, is particularly noted for premieres of new work alongside intimate revivals. The theatre is renowned for the exceptionally high standard of its productions as well as its work with the community and young people.

What productions can I see at Chichester Festival Theatre? 

Chichester theatre’s annual Festival Season runs from April to November every year. With musicals, dramas, comedies and a huge range of other productions (many of which transfer on to the West End), including talks, discussions, family events and a range of free events, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The entertainment doesn’t stop during winter months. Take in one of the high-class touring productions, as well as a traditional Christmas show mounted by the renowned Chichester Festival Youth Theatre as well as seasonal concerts and ballets.

West End productions 

Over the past five decades, many productions originated at Chichester have transferred to the West End or toured nationally and internationally, from musicals to significant new plays and classic revivals. Recent transfers from Chichester include Caroline, Or Change (London’s Hampstead Theatre and the West End’s Playhouse Theatre 2018/19); Ian McKellen in King Lear, which transferred to the West End in 2018 and was broadcast to cinemas internationally by NT Live; and Daniel Evans’s world premiere production of James Graham’s Quiz, which also transferred to the West End in 2018.

See what's on at Chichester Festival Theatre now

Other Chichester productions seen in the West End in recent years include Half A Sixpence (Noël Coward Theatre), Young Chekhov (National Theatre), Running Wild (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Savoy Theatre), Taken at Midnight (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Gypsy (Savoy Theatre), Stevie (Hampstead Theatre), Private Lives (Gielgud Theatre) and Sweeney Todd (Adelphi Theatre).

Bars and restaurants at Chichester Festival Theatre

If you’re looking to make the most of your visit to Chichester Festival Theatre, why not extend your visit with a pre-show meal or drinks. With its light and spacious foyers and welcoming cafe, bars and award-winning restaurants, all with lovely views over Oaklands Park, there’s no better place to unwind before a show.

How do I purchase tickets for Chichester Festival Theatre? 

For information on Chichester Festival Theatre opening times, tickets for performances (which can be purchased online) and parking at Chichester Festival Theatre, click here.