Chichester Festival Theatre plan to improve and refurbish the Festival Theatre to make it fit for the next 50 years.

Watch a short film of proposals

We plan to improve the following areas:

Foyers and Front of House

• improve the foyer and its connection with the park
• make the most of the space in the original foyer, and enlarge where necessary
• add new front of house facilities

Accessibility

• address seating layouts and lift access
  
• improve accessibility for wheelchair users
• provide a better emergency exit system

Auditorium

• review the layout of the seating, improve sightlines and acoustics
  
• improve the outdated ventilation system
• upgrade the level of insulation to improve the thermal and acoustic performance of the building

Sustainability

• use more sustainable technologies to minimise future running costs
• substantially improve thermal insulation
  
• target further CO2 reductions by adopting renewable technologies 

Backstage Facilities

• improve the routing for scenery and equipment from delivery to stage, currently obstructed by the poor layout of the later extensions and staff parking
• improve constricted back of house areas

Technical Infrastructure

• strip out redundant duct-work and technical equipment
• upgrade and improve the lighting, creating a new strategy to enhance the significant aspects of the existing building 
  
• upgrade all systems to meet current regulations

Approaches

• improve the appearance of the building when approaching it from the car park
• improve the space between the Festival Theatre and the Minerva Theatre, creating a shared landscaped piazza

Have your say on these proposals