Chichester Festival Theatre announces 2010 season

With the possibility of the country emerging from the shadow of the recession, a sense of optimism is reflected in Chichester’s Festival 2010 season.  The productions include satirical comedies, sumptuous dramas and a classic musical celebrating the glamour of Broadway.  This upbeat mood is balanced by dramas which examine politics, class and human psychology, as well as a new musical version of one of the most poignant romances of all time.  The fifth season from Artistic Director Jonathan Church and Executive Director Alan Finch includes four world premieres and the return of the runaway success from Festival 09.

 

BINGO by Edward Bond
15 April – 22 May, Minerva Theatre

Patrick Stewart makes a welcome return to Chichester to play the writer who has had the most lasting impact on our theatrical culture - William Shakespeare.  In this poetic play, Edward Bond depicts Shakespeare in the last days of his life, ageing, facing poverty and lacking creative energy, until his poetry is suddenly once again unleashed by the catastrophic circumstances he faces.

Patrick Stewart was last at Chichester in Festival 07’s Macbeth and Twelfth Night.  His other recent work on stage includes Waiting for Godot, Hamlet and The Tempest.  He has also starred on screen in X-Men and Star Trek.

The cast also includes Catherine Cusack, Ellie Haddington, Kieron Jecchinis, Richard McCabe, John McEnery, Alex Price, Michelle Tate and Jason Watkins.


Edward Bond’s plays include Lear, The Sea, Restoration and War Plays.

The play will be directed by Chichester Festival Theatre Associate Director Angus Jackson.  His previous work at Chichester includes Wallenstein (Festival 09), Funny Girl (Festival 08), The Waltz of the Toreadors (Festival 07), Carousel and The Father (Festival 06). He has also recently directed David Hare’s The Power of Yes for the National Theatre.


YES, PRIME MINISTER by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn – WORLD PREMIERE
13 May – 5 June, Festival Theatre

The original writers of the classic television series reunite for this brand new play.  Prime Minister Jim Hacker, Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby and his Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley face a country in financial meltdown, with the only prospect of salvation coming from morally dubious allies – leading to deliciously comic consequences.

Sir Humphrey Appleby will be played by Henry Goodman whose recent credits include Duet for One, Fiddler on the Roof and Feelgood.   Jim Hacker will be portrayed by David Haig who recently featured in the latest series of the award-winning BBC political comedy The Thick of It.  His other credits include the West End productions of Donkey’s Years, Mary Poppins, and Hitchcock Blonde, as well as screen roles in Mo, My Boy Jack and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

The production will be directed by co-writer Jonathan Lynn.  His directing credits include the Hollywood films Wild Target (due for release this Spring), The Fighting Temptations, The Whole Nine Yards, The Distinguished Gentleman and My Cousin Vinny.


LOVE STORY by Erich Segal – WORLD PREMIERE
Music composed by Howard Goodall
Book by Stephen Clark
Lyrics by Stephen Clark and Howard Goodall
29 May – 26 June, Minerva Theatre

Inspired by Erich Segal’s best-selling iconic novel, this is a brand new musical version of Love Story, also one of the most romantic films of all time.

Howard Goodall is one of the UK’s most versatile and distinguished composers, whose credits include the television theme tunes for Q.I., Blackadder and The Vicar of Dibley, as well as stage musicals and choral music.  Stephen Clark’s work includes Mahabharata and The Far Pavilions.

The musical is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre.  Her credits include the hugely popular production of The Music Man starring Brian Conley (Festival 08).  Her other work includes The Merry Wives of Windsor and Alice in Wonderland for the RSC, Hilda (Hampstead Theatre) and The Rivals (Bristol Old Vic).

42nd STREET Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble
21 June – 28 August, Festival Theatre

Broadway comes to Chichester in a delightfully uplifting production of one of the most high-octane musicals of all time, the story of a small-time chorus girl’s rise from obscurity to fame. Show-stopping tunes include Lullaby Of Broadway, We’re In The Money, Keep Young And Beautiful, I Only Have Eyes For You and, of course, the title number, 42nd Street.

Paul Kerryson is Artistic Director of Leicester Curve where his credits include the acclaimed European premiere of The Light in the Piazza.  He is a renowned director of Stephen Sondheim’s work, including Merrily We Roll Along, Pacific Overtures, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George and A Little Night Music.

THE CRITIC by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND by Tom Stoppard
A double bill
2 July – 28 August, Minerva Theatre

The razor-sharp humour of two of England’s most quick-witted playwrights is showcased in a delightful double bill in which the theatre critic takes centre stage.  Sheridan parodies the acting styles and theatrical conventions of the 18th Century through characters such as Sir Fretful Plagiary, Mr Puff, Dangle and Sneer.

In The Real Inspector Hound, two critics blunder out of the auditorium and into the whodunit they have come to review.

Sheridan’s plays include The Rivals and The School for Scandal.  Stoppard’s plays include Jumpers, Travesties, The Real Thing, Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

The plays are directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Jonathan Church, whose other productions for Chichester include The Grapes of Wrath, Pravda, Hobson’s Choice, The Circle and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.  His credits also include the Olivier Award-nominated Of Mice and Men starring Matthew Kelly, which transferred from the Birmingham Rep to the West End.  

PYGMALION by George Bernard Shaw
9 July – 27 August, Festival Theatre

Rupert Everett plays Professor Henry Higgins, the egocentric Professor of Phonetics, who transforms the speech, manners and life of humble flower girl Eliza Doolittle.  

This role marks a return to the stage for Everett, reuniting him with director Philip Prowse, with whom he previously worked at Citizens’ Theatre in Glasgow.  

Everett is best known for his film work where his credits include Another Country, Dance with a Stranger, My Best Friend’s Wedding, An Ideal Husband and The Next Best Thing.  He also features in the comedy Wild Target, directed by Jonathan Lynn, due to be released this Spring.

He is joined by Stephanie Cole as his mother Mrs Higgins, making a welcome return to Chichester following last year’s performance in Separate Tables.  

This promises to be a dazzling production of one of theatre’s most entertaining and provocative explorations of sexual politics and class restrictions.  Bernard Shaw’s plays include Mrs Warren’s Profession (staged at Chichester during the Autumn 09 season), Arms and the Man, Candida and You Never Can Tell
Philip Prowse was a Co-Director, and then Artistic Collaborator, of the Citizens' Theatre in Glasgow where he directed and designed over 70 plays. He has worked throughout the world directing and designing for opera, ballet and drama.

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell, a new adaptation by Howard Brenton – WORLD PREMIERE
15 July – 26 August, Minerva Theatre

Howard Brenton’s new adaptation of the famous political novel about the life and times of a group of Edwardian working men promises to be colourful, funny and thought-provoking.  This exploration of the harsh realities of economic survival for the working-classes remains as relevant today as when the novel was first written.

Brenton’s plays include Pravda, co-written with David Hare, performed during Festival 06, Weapons of Happiness, The Romans in Britain, Bloody Poetry, Paul, In Extremis and Never So Good.  

Christopher Morahan’s credits include the recent production of The Caretaker (Liverpool Everyman and the West End), and his work as Associate Director at the National Theatre which includes the award-winning National Theatre and Broadway production of Wild Honey.  He is also a notable television director whose work includes A Dance to the Music of Time, The Jewel in the Crown and The Glittering Prizes.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a co-production with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.


THE MASTER BUILDER by Henrik Ibsen, a new adaptation by David Edgar – WORLD PREMIERE
9 September – 9 October, Minerva Theatre

David Edgar has written a new adaptation of Ibsen’s enthralling depiction of betrayal, guilt and sexual passion.  Following his roles in the acclaimed productions of Taking Sides and Collaboration (Festivals 08 and 09) which transferred to the West End last year, Michael Pennington returns to Chichester as Halvard Solness, the leading architect of his age, who is inspired by a beautiful young woman to create one final masterpiece – but at what cost?

Edgar’s adaptations include The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Festivals 06 and 07).  His plays include Destiny, Maydays, Pentecost and Playing with Fire.  

The Master Builder is directed by Philip Franks.  His credits for Chichester include Separate Tables, Taking Sides and Collaboration, Twelfth Night, and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

ENRON by Lucy Prebble
10 – 18 September, Festival Theatre

ENRON returns to Chichester in 2010 for ten performances only, and prior to a national tour.  This time the award-winning production will be staged in the Festival Theatre, reflecting its phenomenal success which began during Festival 09. Rave reviews and sell-out performances when the show premiered at the Minerva last year led to runs at the Royal Court Theatre and in the West End, with a Broadway production opening in April.

This compelling study of one of the most infamous financial scandals in recent years is an audacious theatrical epic which fuses a multitude of styles and uses music, movement and video.      

Rupert Goold, winner of the London Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Best Director Awards for ENRON, has also directed Macbeth and Six Characters in Search of an Author at Chichester.  His West End productions include No Man’s Land and Oliver!

Lucy Prebble received the TMA Best New Play award for ENRON in 2009.  She also won the George Devine and the Critics’ Circle Awards for her debut play The Sugar Syndrome.

ENRON was recently nominated for six Olivier Awards for Best Director, Best New Play, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Lighting Design and Best Design.

The play is a co-production with Headlong and the Royal Court Theatre.

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY by Ivan Turgenev, adapted by Brian Friel
24 September – 16 October, Festival Theatre (Press Night: Thursday 30 September 7pm)

Brian Friel, one of Ireland’s greatest living playwrights, has adapted Turgenev’s 19th Century masterpiece which charts a passionately eventful summer month on a country estate as Natalya struggles to recover after being consumed by a hopeless love for her young son’s tutor.

Friel’s plays include Dancing at Lughnasa, Translations, Philadelphia Here I Come! and Faith Healer.  Turgenev’s plays include Fortune’s Fools; among his novels is the seminal Fathers and Sons.

Jonathan Kent’s recent work includes the National Theatre production of Oepidus starring Ralph Fiennes, and The Fairy Queen at Glyndebourne.  Kent was joint Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre where his work included When We Dead Awaken, All For Love, Medea, The School For Wives and Gangster No.1.  Other theatre credits include Le Cid, Mother Courage and Her Children and The False Servant, all for the National Theatre.

Chichester Festival Youth Theatre presents:

THE FIREWORK-MAKER’S DAUGHTER by Philip Pullman, adapted by Stephen Russell
30 July – 12 August, Promenade Performances

Chichester Festival Youth Theatre recreates the magical story of a fleet-footed heroine’s perilous quest to reach the terrifying Fire-Fiend. This is an adaptation from a story by award-winning children’s writer Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials trilogy and the ‘Sally Lockhart’ series.

This enchanting tale will be brought to life by the award-winning Chichester Festival Youth Theatre in a promenade production in the grounds of the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum.

Dale Rooks is Youth Theatre Director at Chichester Festival Theatre where her previous credits include A Christmas Carol, Toad of Toad Hall, James and the Giant Peach, Peter Pan, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Oliver!  and Pinocchio.

Online public booking opens for everyone on Monday 1 March.  Telephone and counter booking opens for everyone on Thursday 4 March.  Tickets £12 - £37 available from the Box Office on 01243 718312 or online at www.cft.org.uk