News Story

Festival 2025 has officially arrived, and we hope it was well worth the wait. Critics have hailed our opening show, The Government Inspector, as 'a winning start to the 2025 season' (Portsmouth News). Hot on its heels, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry  has been called 'a pitch-perfect musical' (The Times). With so much more still to come, we can’t wait to share this unforgettable season with you.

The Government Inspector 

The reviews are in and critics are praising this 'playful, outrageous, and unexpectedly sharp' start to the season (The Spy in the Stalls). Head over to the show page for more reviews and to grab your tickets to this 'fruity adaptation' (The Times).

A scene from The Government Inspector at Chichester Festival Theatre
Laurie Ogden, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Tom Rosenthal, Lloyd Hutchinson & company in The Government Inspector at Chichester Festival Theatre

Want to know more? Meet the cast and learn more about the origins of the play with director Gregory Doran in our behind the scenes video content


The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

From the intimate setting of the Minerva Theatre, audiences of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry embark on an epic adventure across Britain, guided by a cast of exceptional singers, dancers, and storytellers.

Following press night, the reviews are pouring in and it's been called 'one of the most beautiful, the most powerful and the most poignant evenings the Minerva has ever seen' (Chichester Observer).

A man is stood upright in the centre of the stage looking off into the distance with a slightly concerned look on his face. Beside him is a shaggy dog puppet being operated by a puppeteer. Further back, there are several people whose faces are illuminated by the light from their mobile phones. There is also young man who is standing casually in a classic-red telephone box. The backdrop is filled with twinkling lights on a deep blue background, reminiscent of a night sky filled with shining stars.
Mark Addy and company in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry at Chichester Festival Theatre
Six dancers are all wearing white t-shirts under sparkling indigo dungarees or pinafores. The two in the front are squatting and have their arms lifted above their heads, while the other four are stood up straight behind them. The standing dancers are holding aloft cheerleader pom-poms. In the centre of this group, a young woman is posing confidently with her arms extended upwards. She is wearing a shimmering wrap dress in a matching colour to the dancers’ costumes with grungy fishnet tights and black combat boots.
Sharon Rose (as Garage Girl) and company in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry at Chichester Festival Theatre

Anna Karenina

The cast of Anna Karenina have now started rehearsals in London.  This show is going to take audiences into the shadowy and sensual world of a heart racing love affair. Think scandal, passion and betrayal, complete with lavish costumes and a decadent set. It's going to be an unmissable theatrical experience. 

The cast of Anna Karenina on the first day of rehearsals in London

Phillip Breen, the director and adaptor of Anna Karenina, embarks on this production fresh from his newest show, Red or Dead at the Royal Court. Celebrated by critics, and heralded as a 'superb adaptation of a wonderful novel' (Must See Theatre), we're full of anticipation for his adaptation of Tolstoy's epic story. 

We can't wait to take audiences behind the scenes very soon... More updates to come!


Marie and Rosetta

Marie and Rosetta opened last week at Rose Theatre in Kingston to glowing reviews, and we just can't wait to have it here in Chichester from 25 June - 26 July. 'Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu are powerhouse performers' (Theatre and Tonic) in this unforgettable true story. 'Soul-stirring, celebratory and foot-tappingly uplifting' (The Spy In The Stalls).

Tickets are extremely limited but do keep an eye out for returns.

Beverley Knight (Rosetta Tharpe) and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu (Marie Knight) in Marie and Rosetta
Beverley Knight (Rosetta Tharpe) and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu (Marie Knight) in Marie and Rosetta

If you've missed out on tickets, check our website from 1pm for any returns for that evening's performance.