Chichester Festival Theatre has unveiled its Festival 2025 lineup, featuring a blend of world premieres, classic dramas, and musicals. Artistic Director Justin Audibert and Executive Director Kathy Bourne have curated a season that promises to captivate audiences.
Musical Highlights at Chichester Festival Theatre
The festival presents two major musicals. Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs a fresh production of Irving Berlin’s “Top Hat,” a tap-dance extravaganza scheduled from 14 July to 6 September 2025. Additionally, “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” adapted by Rachel Joyce from her bestselling novel with music and lyrics by Passenger, will run from 5 May to 14 June 2025. This new musical stars Mark Addy and Jenna Russell.
World Premieres
The festival showcases several world premieres. Phil Porter’s adaptation of Gogol’s satire “The Government Inspector,” directed by Gregory Doran and starring Tom Rosenthal, runs from 25 April to 24 May 2025. Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s “Choir,” celebrating music and community, is directed by Hannah Joss. Jamie Bogyo’s “Safe Space,” exploring campus politics, is directed by Roy Alexander Weise.
Classic and Modern Dramas
Audiences can look forward to timeless narratives. Natalie Dormer stars in “Anna Karenina,” a new adaptation by Phillip Breen, running from 7 to 28 June 2025. Beverley Knight portrays Sister Rosetta Tharpe in George Brant’s “Marie and Rosetta,” directed by Monique Touko, from 25 June to 26 July 2025. Giles Terera takes on the title role in “Hamlet,” directed by Justin Audibert, marking Chichester’s inaugural production of Shakespeare’s tragedy, scheduled for September 2025. Nigel Williams’ adaptation of “Lord of the Flies,” directed by Anthony Lau, adds to the compelling lineup.
Family-Friendly Productions at Chichester Festival Theatre
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre presents the first stage adaptation of Matt Haig’s “A Boy Called Christmas,” adapted by Philip Wilson with music by Tom Brady, directed by Dale Rooks. For younger audiences, Stiles and Drewe’s “The Three Little Pigs,” a co-production with the Unicorn Theatre, offers festive fun.
New Initiatives and Accessibility
The festival introduces “The Nest,” a studio space dedicated to emerging artists and community projects, opening in summer 2025. To ensure accessibility, the theatre offers 12,000 tickets priced at £10 and 9,000 £5 tickets for 16 to 30-year-olds through the Prologue scheme. Off-stage events, exhibitions, live music, and family activities enrich the festival experience.
Booking opens on 1 March 2025. For more details and tickets, visit Chichester Festival Theatre’s official website.
Tickets from £10
cft.org.uk Box Office 01243 781312
