Chichester: Festival Theatre

Country: England, United Kingdom
Historic County: Sussex
City: Chichester

Built 1961-1962 by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya with Christopher Stevens. Theatre consultants: Peter Jay and Partners. Opened 3 July 1962 under the direction of Laurence Olivier. Used for drama and musical theatre performances by the annual summer Chichester Festival. During winter months, used for touring productoins of opera, dance, comedy, and concerts. 1206 seats. 1989 extension by a new complex including Minerva Theatre, a studio auditorium (283 seats).

Notable world premieres:

  • John Arden: The Workhouse Donkey (8 July 1963)
  • Peter Shaffer: The Royal Hunt of the Sun (7 July 1964)
  • Peter Shaffer: Black Comedy (27 July 1965)

Link: www.cft.org.uk

[Chichester: Festival Theatre] Front Text: "Interior of the Chichester Festival Theatre Model"
Publisher: Valentine's; 5059
Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Not sent.

[Chichester: Festival Theatre] Picture: Chichester Festival Theatre during its construction
Front Text: "Chichester Festival Theatre, October 2nd. 1961"
Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Sent: from Chichester to Brierley Hill, 1962 [with commemorative postmark: "Chichester Festival Theatre, First Season July 3 - Sept 8"]

Reverse Detail:
[Chichester: Festival Theatre]

[Chichester: Festival Theatre] Front Text: "Chichester Festival Theatre"
Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Not sent.

[Chichester: Festival Theatre] Front Text: "Festival Theatre, Chichester"
Publisher: F. Frith & Co. Ltd., Reigate; Frith's Series; CSR 134 Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Not sent.


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