In case you missed it, we've had some very exciting casting updates for our Festival 2026 shows - keep reading to find out who you can come and see on our stages this summer. 

Atonement

We're delighted to announce that Miriam Petche, Siân Phillips and Jasper Talbot will lead the cast of the world premiere stage production of Ian McEwan's Atonement, adapted for the stage by Christopher Hampton. Joining them in Adam Penford’s production will be James Backway, Tom Chapman, Isabella Dempster (as the young Briony), Yanexi Enriquez, Debra Gillett, Gabin Kongolo, Natasha Magigi and Jonathan Oliver.

Dame Siân Phillips makes a welcome return to Chichester as the older Briony Tallis. Her distinguished leading roles on stage include her Olivier and Tony Award-nominated Marlene Dietrich in Marlene, Olivier-nominated Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, and recently Under Milk Wood at the National Theatre; and on screen, her BAFTA Award-winning Livia in I, Claudius and many guest appearances in series from Lewis and Keeping Faith to Silent Witness.

Miriam Petche plays Cecilia; known to an international TV audience as Sweetpea Golightly in the HBO/BBC series Industry, her screen credits also include the forthcoming Believe Me. 

Jasper Talbot plays Robbie, returning to Chichester where he played Mick Jagger in Redlands for which he was nominated for The Stage Debut Award; since then his stage credits include Inter Alia at the National Theatre and The Line of Beauty at the Almeida.

Atonement runs in the Festival Theatre from 29 May - 20 June; head to the main webpage for further info and tickets.

45 Years

Some very exciting news: Gabriel Byrne joins Geraldine James in the world stage premiere of 45 Years, directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah and running in the Minerva Theatre from 12 June – 11 July. Tickets are already on sale, so don’t waste any time booking yours!

Gabriel Byrne returns to the UK stage, making his Chichester debut as Geoff. The winner of many stage and screen awards, including a Golden Globe and two Tony nominations, his international career ranges from stage credits A Moon for the Misbegotten, Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Walking with Ghosts on Broadway, to starring screen roles in Miller’s Crossing, The Usual Suspects, In Treatment and The War of the Worlds. 

Geraldine James comes to Chichester for the first time to play Kate. Her innumerable TV credits include Back to Life, Silo, This Town, Dope Girls, Band of Gold (BAFTA nomination) and The Jewel in the Crown. Tony Award-nominated for The Merchant of Venice on Broadway, her recent stage roles include Creditors (Orange Tree) and As You Like It (RSC).

Adapted by Hannah Patterson from Andrew Haigh’s critically acclaimed 2015 film,45 Years is an achingly tense, intimate and moving dance to the music of time.

Head over to the show page for further details and to book.