Haley Flaherty to star in Chichester's Travels with My Aunt

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Haley Flaherty (Matilda/Rocky Horror) will star in Travels with My Aunt at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Travels with My Aunt will be staged in the Minerva Theatre, the show has been newly adapted from Graham Greene’s novel by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman with a score from Stiles and Drewe.

Flaherty joins Patricia Hodge and Steven Pacey in the show. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the cast also includes Stephanie Bron, Jack Chissick, Michael Duke, Nicholas Duncan, Sarah Earnshaw, Rachel Grundy, Hugh Maynard, Abiola Ogunbiyi, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Sebastien Torkia and Jack Wilcox. 

Chichester Festival Theatre announces 2016 season

Chichester Festival Theatre have announced their 2016 season, the last under the leadership of Jonathan Church and Alan Finch. 

As previously revealed, Half A Sixpence will be staged in the Festival Theatre. The show has been adapted by Julian Fellowes with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Travels with My Aunt will be staged in the Minerva Theatre, the show has been newly adapted from Graham Greene’s celebrated novel by Emmy Award-winning writers Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman with another witty score from Stiles & Drewe.

Daniel Evans announced as Chichester's new artistic director

It has been announced that Daniel Evans will take over as artistic director of the Chichester Festival Theatre. He replaces Jonathan Church who announced his departure earlier this year.

Evans has been the artistic director of Sheffield Theatres since 2009. He will join the team at Chichester in July 2016. Evans said, "I look forward to collaborating with the team in west Sussex to develop that work further as the organisation evolves into this next exciting chapter in its history."

Stiles and Drewe's Half A Sixpence musical to be staged in Chichester

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has has announced that George Stiles and Anthony Drewe's new production of Half A Sixpence will run at the Chichester Festival Theatre next summer.

Stiles and Drewe have written new songs which will feature alongside a few famous numbers from David Heneker's score. 

With book by Beverley Cross, the piece is based on H.G. Wells' novel Kipps: The Story Of A Simple Soul. 

Julian Fellowes has written a new book for the production which will be directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Andrew Wright.

Rehearsal images released for Chichester's Chekhov season

Rehearsal images have been released for a major new season of Anton Chekhov’s early works at Chichester Festival Theatre. Newly adapted by David Hare and directed by Jonathan Kent, the productions present a unique theatrical event which will see a repertory cast of 23 actors performing 50 parts in Platonov, Ivanov and The Seagull. 

For the first time ever on this scale audiences will be given the opportunity to see all three shows in close proximity performed by the same group and with the same creative team. Check out the rehearsal images below (click image to enlarge).

When the season begins previews later this month, the Young Chekhov cast will have worked together on the productions for three months. The cast includes Emma Amos, Nebli Basani, Lucy Briers, Pip Carter, Anna Chancellor, Jonathan Coy, Nicholas Day, Mark Donald, Peter Egan, Col Farrell, Joshua James, Beverley Klein, Adrian Lukis, Des McAleer, James McArdle, Mark Penfold, Brian Pettifer, Nina Sosanya, Sarah Twomey, David Verrey, Olivia Vinall, Samuel West and Jade Williams.

Review: A Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival Theatre

A Damsel in Distress 
Chichester Festival Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 17th June 2015
★★★

Based on the novel by P.G. Wodehouse and featuring songs by George and Ira Gershwin, director and choreographer Rob Ashford has brought A Damsel in Distress to the stage. 

Richard Fleeshman plays George, an American composer who meets Maud, a beautiful English socialite (played by Summer Strallen) and - in true theatrical fashion - it doesn't take long for the pair to fall madly in love. However, hurdles stand in their way, including Maud's not-to-be messed with aunt (played spectacularly by Isla Blair) who locks her niece in a tower... but can love prevail..?

Chichester's Guys and Dolls transferring to the West End

It has been confirmed that Chichester's production of Guys and Dolls will transfer to the Savoy Theatre later this year.

The musical will open on 6th January 2016 (previews from 10th December 2015) for a limited thirteen week run concluding on 12th March 2016. 

Sophie Thompson and Jamie Parker will reprise their performances as Miss Adelaide and Sky Masterton, with further casting to be confirmed.

Based on colourful stories about New York gamblers by Damon Runyon, Guys and Dolls opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre last August. Gordon Greenberg directs with choreography by Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright and design by Peter McKintosh.

Production images released for A Damsel in Distress starring Richard Fleeshman & Summer Strallen

Production images have been released for A Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival Theatre starring Richard Fleeshman (Ghost), Summer Strallen (Top Hat) and Sally Ann Triplett (Viva Forever). Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Running until 27th June, A Damsel in Distress is based on a novel by P.G. Wodehouse. With songs by George and Ira Gershwin, A Damsel in Distress is well-known from the popular 1937 comedy film. Rob Ashford directs.

The cast also includes: Desmond Barrit (Wicked), Isla Blair (Made in Dagenham), Nicholas Farrell (South Downs, The Browning Version), Richard Dempsey (A Midsummer Night's Dream) and Melle Stewart (Assassins).

Full casting announced for Chichester's Mack and Mabel starring Michael Ball

Full casting has been announced for Chichester's revival of Mack and Mabel starring Michael Ball and Rebecca LaChance in the title roles.

Completing the cast are: Timothy Quinlan, Ashley Andrews, Adam Denman, Nicole Deon, Jenny Legg, Grace McKee, Rohan Richards, Sam Stones, Andrew Waldron, Zara Warren and Libby Watts.

They join the previously announced Anna-Jane Casey as Lottie, Jack Edwards as Fatty, Alex Giannini as Mr Kleiman, Gunnar Cauthery as Frank and Mark Inscoe as William Desmond Taylor as well as Michelle Francis, Emily Langham, Rebecca Louis, Joshua Lovell, Joseph Prouse and Emily Shaw.

Review: Way Upstream at the Chichester Festival Theatre

Way Upstream 

Chichester Festival Theatre

Reviewed on  Saturday 2nd May 2015

★★★★

It must be something to do with the area’s boating heritage, because the Chichester Festival Theatre certainly has a thing about water. The 2011 production of Singin’ in the Rain saw some audience members given a soaking and in 2013, Tim Firth’s comedy Neville’s Island recreated an area of the Lake District with real water on stage and the cast members getting drenched.

Gypsy extends West End booking to November 2015

Jonathan Kent’s production of Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton has extended its West End run to 28th November 2015. 

Kent’s production originally opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre in October last year with the West End transfer opening last week at the Savoy Theatre

The show stars Staunton as Momma Rose, Lara Pulver as Louise, Peter Davison as Herbie, Gemma Sutton as June and Dan Burton as Tulsa. A brand new cast album will be released on 27th April 2015.

Review: Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton at the Savoy Theatre

Gypsy

Savoy Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 16th April 2015

★★★★★

Following a run in Chichester last year, Jonathan Kent's revival of Gypsy has transferred to the West End's Savoy Theatre which is the perfect home for this bold and glitzy Broadway musical. 

Richard Fleeshman & Summer Strallen to star in Chichester's A Damsel in Distress

Richard Fleeshman and Summer Strallen will star alongside the previously announced Sally Ann Triplett in A Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

The show is based on a novel by P.G. Wodehouse. With songs by George and Ira Gershwin, A Damsel in Distress is well-known from the popular 1937 comedy film. The production runs between 30th May and 27th June 2015.

Fleeshman starred in Ghost the Musical in the West End and on Broadway. His credits also include: Legally Blonde (Savoy), Urinetown (St James) and Bend It like Beckham (workshop). Strallen's credits include The Sound of Music (Palladium) and Top Hat (Aldwych) whilst Triplett's include Viva Forever (Piccadilly) and The Last Ship (Broadway).

Jonathan Church & Alan Finch to depart Chichester Festival Theatre in September 2016

Jonathan Church and Alan Finch have announced that they are stepping down as artistic director and executive director of Chichester Festival Theatre at the end of September 2016. 

Both Church and Finch joined Chichester Festival Theatre in 2005, overseeing the organisation’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and the recent £22 million redevelopment of the Festival Theatre.

Jonathan Church said: "It has been a privilege and a joy to have been the custodians of this very special theatre for the last decade and to have worked alongside some of the country's most skilled actors and creative teams.

"It will be painful leaving a theatre that feels like our creative home but regional theatres thrive on new ideas and new energies. I like to think we will hand this wonderful theatre over to its next caretakers in an excellent position to build further on its extraordinary history."

CONFIRMED: Broadway performer Rebecca LaChance to star in Chichester's Mack & Mabel

Following reports from Baz Bamigboye, it has now been confirmed that Rebecca LaChance has been cast as Mabel Normand in Chichester's production of Mack & Mabel alongside Michael Ball as Mack Sennett.

Directed by Jonathan Church, the production opens at the Festival Theatre on Tuesday 21st July 2015 (previews from 13th July) and runs until 5th September 2015. The show will then tour the UK between 1st October and 6th December 2015.

The cast also includes: Anna-Jane Casey as Lottie, Jack Edwards as Fatty, Alex Giannini as Mr Kleiman, Gunnar Cauthery as Frank and Mark Inscoe as William Desmond Taylor. Michelle Francis, Emily Langham, Rebecca Louis, Joshua Lovell, Joseph Prouse and Emily Shaw will also feature in the production with further casting to be confirmed.

Jill Halfpenny & Jason Durr join Sarah Parish in Chichester's Way Upstream

Further casting has been announced for Nadia Fall's revival of Way Upstream by Alan Ayckbourn.

The production runs at the Chichester Festival Theatre between 23rd April and 16th May 2015.

Joining Sarah Parish are: Jill Halfpenny (Legally Blonde), Jason Durr (Contact.com), Peter Forbes (How To Hold Your Breath) and Jason Hughes (In the Next Room). The cast also includes Emily Laing and Nicola Sloane.

Chichester announces new season; Lenny Henry stars in Educating Rita

Chichester Festival Theatre have confirmed details of their new season. Lenny Henry will star in Educating Rita at the Minerva Theatre between 18th June and 25th July 2015. Michael Buffong directs.

Henry said: "When I began studying for an Open University degree, it was a pivotal period that opened my mind to the delights of Shakespeare and so much more. It means a great deal to me personally and professionally to be in Willy Russell's classic play about the ways in which education can change your life."

Chichester will run a repertory season of Chekhov's early plays including Platonov, Ivanov and The Seagull. With new versions by David Hare, Jonathan Kent with direct the pieces. The company includes Anna Chancellor, James McArdle and Samuel West. The trilogy runs in the Festival Theatre between 28th September and 14th November.

GOSSIP: Sally Ann Triplett to star in Chichester's A Damsel In Distress?

According to the Daily Mail, Rob Ashford will direct and choreograph a re-working of A Damsel In Distress. The George and Ira Gershwin stage revue has a book by P. G. Wodehouse. 

Jeremy Sams has updated the piece which will apparently open at the Chichester Festival Theatre in April. Baz Bamigboye reports that Sally Ann Triplett (Viva Forever/The Last Ship) will star in the show.

UPDATE (27/02/15): This gossip has now been confirmed and, according to the Daily Mail, Isla Blair (who is currently appearing in Made In Dagenham) has joined the cast. Chichester have also confirmed details of their new season, click here for info.

CONFIRMED: Michael Ball stars in Mack & Mabel at Chichester followed by UK Tour

As previously reported by West End Frame, it has been confirmed that Michael Ball will return to Chichester this summer in a major new production of Mack & Mabel.

Directed by Jonathan Church, the production opens at the Festival Theatre on Tuesday 21st July 2015 (previews from 13th July) and runs until 5th September 2015. The show will then tour the UK between 1st October and 6th December 2015.

Choreography is by Stephen Mear (Chichester’s Associate Choreographer) whilst design is by Robert Jones . Based on the true romance between Hollywood legends Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, this musical comedy received eight Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974.

It's 100% official! Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton transfers to Savoy Theatre from 28th March!

Following months of speculation, it has finally been 100% confirmed that Imelda Staunton will star as Momma Rose in the West End transfer of Jonathan Kent’s Chichester Festival Theatre production of Gypsy. 

The production opens at the Savoy Theatre on 15th April 2015 (previews from 28th March). Tickets go on sale today. Further casting will be announced shortly.

Gypsy, a musical fable with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, has choreography by Stephen Mear, designs by Anthony Ward, musical direction and orchestration by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Paul Groothuis. Gypsy is produced in the West End by Michael Harrison and David Ian.