This year, we’re delighted to welcome a new sponsor, Wates Developments, a family-owned business and specialists in land, planning, and development. Wates Developments will sponsor three Relaxed Performances at CFT this year, which are an important part of our commitment to making sure all our visitors feel comfortable and have the best possible experience.

David Brocklebank, Executive Managing Director for Wates Developments, says: ‘Our purpose at Wates is to create places where people can thrive, and it is well known that arts activities are beneficial to our mental health and wellbeing. We’re proud to support Chichester Festival Theatre in creating a welcoming environment where everyone can relax and enjoy their visit. Our partnership is a superb fit with our own values as an organisation, where we are committed to building a fairer tomorrow.’

Relaxed Performances offer a welcoming opportunity for any theatre-lover who would benefit, particularly those who are autistic, neurodivergent, or have anxiety or learning disabilities. We make small changes such as reduced volume and stage lights, a pre-show introduction and a chill-out area in our foyer spaces.

We are proud to have been offering Relaxed Performances for over ten years, allowing us to welcome a diverse audience who might otherwise miss out on the joy of live performances.

Charlotte Stroud, Senior Development Manager (Corporates) at CFT, said: ‘We’re so delighted to have the support of Wates Developments as the sponsor of CFT’s Relaxed Performances this year. After a recent Relaxed Performance, 95% of audience members surveyed said their experience had a positive impact on their quality of life. We’re thrilled that Wates Developments shares our commitment to making a positive social impact, and we’re excited to be partnering with them for the first time on this initiative’.

Other access performances, including Captioned, BSL interpreted, Relaxed and Dementia friendly shows, can be found on our Access Performances What's On page.