Festival 2025 Highlights

News Story

Four world premieres, two UK premieres, two feel-good musicals, world-class drama - these are just a few of the things that made Festival 2025 so special. Scroll through the story to take a stroll down memory lane as we revisit highlights from each show, including some bonus behind-the-scenes content.

The Government Inspector

Two actors stood on stage during warm-up makinf each other laugh.

Two actors stoo outside a dressing room making each other laugh.

A group of actors are gathered around the set during warm-up, the men have their backs to the camera but a woman with curly hair is smiling, verging on laughter.

An actor is sat in a dressing room showing another actor something on his phone - they're both looking at the phone with an interested expression.

4 Stars
A tight, traditional comedy, well-oiled and slick from start to finish
The Stage

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

There are several dancers moving fluidly with their arms raised. At the front, a young man is being held up by two people; there is a spotlight shining on him as he looks upward. The backdrop is a fiery sunset on a crumpled, textured background.

An image of a dressing room before a show - in the background two actors are looking in the mirror, in the foreground Mark Addy is sat smiling with his arms crossed.

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.

An actor wearing a pink shirt is getting her hair done, in the mirror we can see wigs, hair and makeup team helping to get her ready.

Many characters are gazing wondrously at a man is standing atop a barrel in the centre of the stage. He has his arms wide open. Some of the ensemble are holding tree branches with ribbons tied to them. There are many barrels stacked in the background and others placed amongst the group of people.

A photo taken from the edge of a door, through the door we can see an actor getting his hair done.

In the foreground, an actor wearing a pink shirt is having a hair braided, in the background an acotr wearing a white shirt sits smiling at her.

A woman wearing a grey cardigan has her hands protectively placed over one another in the middle of her chest. She has a bright smile on her face as she looks off into the distance.

An actor sat at a dressing room table, he is smiling as he talks to someone out of shot.

An older man wearing casual clothes is stood inside a worn-down red telephone box. His hands are clasping the doorframe, and he is looking slightly worried. To his right, a young man dressed in an almost threadbare green jumper with a crown of leaves in his hair is gazing up at him inquisitively. On the other side, a shaggy dog puppet operated by a puppeteer is also looking at the man in the phone box.

5 Stars
A pitch-perfect musical
The Times

Anna Karenina

A woman in a detailed black coat with black leather gloves and a black fascinator is stood with her hands clasped in front of her. In her hands she is holding a small red velvet pouch. She has a serious look on her face. Behind her, a woman in all black is playing the violin.

A jovial scene with several performers all in neutral-toned Victorian era costumes smiling and dancing. There is white confetti floating all around the stage. In the centre, a man with dark hair and facial hair is smiling brightly. He is holding a vintage leather suitcase in each hand.

A young woman is stood excitedly with a bright smile on her face. She has pink silk bows in her hair and is wearing a pretty dress in the same colour, which is adorned with pearls and ribbons.

A man with a black top hat and a black overcoat is reading from a piece of paper he is holding. There is snow falling delicately behind him.

A group of performers gathered. The man on the right is holding hands with the woman in the centre. They are looking into each other's eyes deeply. There is a man on the left who is looking at them with a pained expression; his hand is resting on his stomach. There are several other characters in the background looking at the three people at the front of the scene.

4 Stars
Epic and absorbing
WhatsOnStage

5 Stars
Natalie Dormer delivers a tremendous performance
Broadway World

Marie and Rosetta

Two Black women are singing passionately with their eyes closed and arms extended freely on two raised platforms either side of a large crucifix with flowers at the base. There are luxurious indigo and magenta curtains flowing behind them.

A young Black woman is singing passionately with a tambourine that has cascading purple and white ribbons in her hand. Her hair is in 1940s style victory rolls, with a flowing pale pink shawl over a floral jacquard dress in the same colour and a simple crucifix around her neck. There is a musician playing the guitar in the background with a music stand in front of them.

Two Black women are singing joyfully with their arms extended expressively facing each other. The younger woman on the left is sat on a box wearing a pale pink floral dress with a flowing shawl and the older woman on the right who is confidently stood with one foot propped up on the box. She is barefoot and wearing a muted blue knee length dress. Their styling is evocative of the 1940s.

A Black woman is singing with a gleeful expression and her arms raised above her head. The lighting behind her is warm and comforting. Her dress is a muted blue with a subtle circular pattern and her hair is styled with a victory roll.

Two Black women are sat down. They both have their arms out as if dancing and have brilliant smiles on their faces. The lighting on the stage is red and there is a faint haze behind them.

4 Stars
An absolute stonker of a show
Daily Express

4 Stars
Bursts with defiance, mischief and joy
The Stage

Top Hat

A man and woman are dancing. He is holding her by her waist as he dips her. She is leaning deeply with one arm reaching behind her and the other grasping his neck. He has on an sophisticated navy and grey tailed suit. She is wearing a light orange pleated skirt with white floral details, a white cropped jacket and large white hat. There are many performers behind them clapping and cheering. The backdrop is a large art deco arch with a projection of Venice.

A company of dancers are all wearing refined 1930s outfits. The men have cream fedoras, matching waistcoats and trousers, striped shirts and polka ties. The women have mini A-line dresses and fascinators with striped bows. Front and centre, a man in a cream suit and matching hat with a mustard waistcoats dancing with his arms above his head and has legs kicking. The set is a detailed art deco arch with skyscrapers in front.

A woman is sat elegantly with one hand on her chest and the other resting on the table next to her. She is wearing a large white hat, a white satin bolero jacket with fuschia piping and diamond details on the cuffs. Her top is in the same fuschia and her trousers match the hat and jacket. She has two simple strings of pearls. She is smiling brightly.

A group of female dancers are high kicking effortlessly. They are all wearing a black top hat, black tails, a white bow tie and waistcoat, black shorts, fishnet stockings and black heeled Mary Jane style tap shoes. They are all holding canes above their heads.

A man and woman are dancing elegantly side by side while holding hands. She is wearing a exquisite silver gown with a white ostrich feather skirt and detailing on the sleeves. He is wearing white tie and tails. They are smiling sweetly. Behind them is a glamourous blue and gold 1930s art deco bar.

4 Stars
The whole thing oozes style and wit. Heaven
Guardian

Choir

A group of performers are stood on a red, circular stage. They are singing with great intensity. They are all wearing pink t-shirts which say 'The Morgan Jackson People's Choir' and feature colourful figure drawings with musical notes. The woman on the far left is stood next to a bicycle, holding the handlebars which have a teal helmet hanging from them. A faint haze surrounds them.

A woman with her blonde hair in a ponytail with an orange pencil tucked through it is smiling excitedly. Her hands are clasped in front of her. She is wearing a casual khaki jacket over a black graphic t-shirt. In the background, there is a table with art supplies in front of swathes of colourful curtains.

A group of performers are stood in a line on a semi-circular stage, singing passionately. They are all wearing pink t-shirts which say 'The Morgan Jackson People's Choir' and feature colourful figure drawings with musical notes, expect a blonde woman in the centre, who is in all black. The woman to her right is stood next to a bicycle, holding the handlebars which have a teal helmet hanging from them. The backdrop is colourful curtains with fairy lights strewn across the pelmet.

Three performers are stood reading from sheet music and singing. On the left, a young man is wearing a grey striped jumper with a black bum bag around his waist. In the middle, a bearded man is wearing a grey graphic t-shirt. On the right, another man is wearing reading glasses and a beige bomber jacket over a pale yellow check shirt.

A man wearing aviator sunglasses and a casual blazer over a graphic t-shirt is singing happily into a microphone. Behind him, other performers are also singing into microphones. The lighting is indigo and there is faint haze all around the space.

4 Stars
This is a gorgeously affectionately wrought production. A warm and welcoming hug of a show
West End Best Friend

Hamlet

A man in a cream shirt covered in dirt and holes is looking intensely at a skull that he is holding.

A group of people are gathered around a circular, candlelit table. They are all looking at the man and woman stood holding hands in the centre.

A man and woman dressed in black, gold and cream regalia. He is holding her hand and kissing it gently. She looks at him stoically.

A woman in an emerald green, Elizabethan gown with cream lace detailing looks up into the distance. Behind her, a man is pointing at her.

A dishevlled woman is stood in a grave holding a skull. The handle of a shovel is peeking out of the top and bones are laid in front of her. A man is sat with his knees pulled up to his chest. They are looking at each other with wry smiles.

4 Stars
As first Hamlets go, it’s a beauty
Guardian

4 Stars
Justin Audibert’s chamber version is rich in nuance
The Times

Lord of the Flies

A group of boys dressed in school uniforms sit among several flight cases. They are all laughing and mucking around.

A boy in a white vest and shorts and big, round glasses sits on the edge of the stage. He has a sad expression with his bottom lip protruding. Behind him, several other boys are lying around and others are climbing on flight cases surrounded by haze.

A boy in a white vest stares at a rubber pig mask which is on top of the microphone stand he is gripping tightly. He looks pained.

Two boys stand pointing at one another. To the left, a large group of boys are gathered, crouching down with sweets and packets of crisps scattered around them. Blood is raining down over the stage.

4 Stars
Timely, disturbing and brilliantly insightful
WhatsOnStage

Safe Space

Two young men are sat on a bed. One is laughing hysterically and grabbing the other's arms, while the other smiles awkwardly.

A woman wearing a tartan blazer is shouting passionately into a microphone. Her arm is stretched out to her side and she is pointing with her index finger. Behind her, a man is also shouting passionately and is holding aloft a placard that reads 'Down with Calhoun' in bold capital letters.

Two young men are sat on a bed in a university dorm. They are looking at each with confused expressions.

Two young women are stood in front of a large bronze statue of a man. They both stand with their arms crossed and look mischievous. There is a messy dorm room in shadow in the background.

5 Stars
Remarkable. The world truly needs something like this right now
Theatre and Tonic

Ready to do it all over again? We can't wait to share all the details of Festival 2026, which launches on Thursday 12 February! Watch your inboxes on announcement day for a reveal of the full season.

Chichester Festival Theatre