Main image: Dame Judi Dench by Paul Stuart.
Dame Judi Dench tops a stellar Winter Season line-up at Chichester Festival Theatre which is set to host a string of West End hits.
A genuine national treasure, this beloved superstar joins her friend and writing partner Brendan O’Hea in conversation about her extraordinary new memoir “Is It Too Late To Make A Run For It?”
Both deeply touching and riotously funny, this intimate evening will show Judi at her inimitable best as she talks about her incredible career on October 28.
But the newly unveiled winter calendar has a host of other top shows including the hugely popular Heathers The Musical (pictured above) which has built up a big cult following during runs on Broadway and in the West End.
Deliciously dark and wickedly funny, this satirical smash hit tells story of being a High School outsider and what it takes to be part of the In-Crowd against a pulsating rock score. It runs at the Festival Theatre from November 10-14.
Preceding that and kicking off the winter season in style is The Last Laugh which has enjoyed huge West End and touring success. It imagines a dressing room chat between three of Britain’s best loved comedians: Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse.
The trio (convincingly played by Steve Royle, Damian Williams and Simons Cartwright) reprise some of their best jokes as they debate what it takes to be funny. It is one not to be missed.
Three more well known characters (albeit slightly less universally loved) are brought to life in The Gang of Three which also had a smash hit sell-out run in London.
It tells the story of Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland as they fight for the soul of the Labour Party. Tensions run high as it captures their fierce rivalries, intellect, wit and determination at the Minerva Theatre November 10-14.
The following week brings the massively successful The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time (pictured above) to the Festival Theatre (Nov 17-21). Starring 2017 Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden and Eastenders star Charlie Brooks, this coming-of-age story is both gripping and deeply moving.
The Festival Theatre season ends in style (Feb 23-27) with James Graham’s knock-out play Punch which won the Olivier award for Best New Play with sell-out runs on Broadway and the West End.
It tells the remarkable and heart-warming true story of Jacob Dunne who landed in prison after delivering a fatal punch on a night out. Following his release he was befriended by his victim’s parents who sparked a profound transformation in his life.
Other huge highlights from a remarkable catalogue include:
- Eastenders and Dr Who star Tracy-Ann Oberman alongside James Dreyfus (The Thin Blue Line) and Adrian Lukis (Pride and Prejudice) in Present Laughter (Festival Theatre Nov 24-28).
- Jane Asher is The Queen and Samantha Womack as her dresser in By Royal Appointment (Festival Theatre Jan 19-23) which portrays how the late monarch remained famously neutral at all times but reflected her feelings through the colours of her outfits.
- For lovers of ballet, The New English Ballet Theatre brings a bold re-imagining of The Nutcracker to the Festival Theatre January 6-10.
- There is a world stage premiere of Before I Go To Sleep starring Giovanna Fletcher at the Festival Theatre (Feb 2-6). Based on the best-selling novel and hit film, it has been adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff.
- Sir Derek Jacobi is in conversation with Richard Clifford on January 16 at the Festival Theatre.
- A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is brought to life at the Festival Theatre (Feb 9-13) and other highlights include Spitfire Girls (Jan 19-23), The Reckoning (Feb 2-6) Birdcatcher (Feb 10-13) and A Thousand Splendid Suns (Feb 16-20)
And of course there is a big Christmas programme with something for all ages. For younger children there is a welcome return of Hey! Christmas Tree which had its premiere at the Minerva Theatre in 2024.
It was written especially for the Chichester Festival Theatre from a poem by Michael Morpurgo. (Dec 5-27) and is the perfect introduction to festive shows for three to seven-year-olds.
The ever popular and hugely talented Chichester Festival Youth Theatre present Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure with songs from Stiles and Drewe from Dec 14-30.
Priority booking for Champions and Friends of Chichester Festival Theatre opens Saturday Sept 5 September from 9am (online and by booking form only) and Tuesday Sept 8 from 10am (phone and in person).
Public booking opens Sat Sept 12 from 9am (online only), Tuesday Sept 15 from 10am (phone and in person).
Box Office 01243 781312; online booking and full details of all shows, casting and creatives at www.cft.org.uk
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