City Guide
Features
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Oaklands Park Chichester West Sussex, PO19 6AP |
Ticket sales are already strong for many of the ten productions in the main house and Minerva and, with the avowed aim of lifting our spirits, the buzz of anticipation has started, beginning with the return of Star Trek favourite Patrick Stewart as William Shakespeare in BINGO, a fascinating play by Edward Bond, reflecting on the last days of the incomparable playwright's life (Minerva April 15-May 22).
It may be that by the time YES PRIME MINISTER opens the main house season on May 13 there will be a new incumbent at 10 Downing Street but we can be sure the classic Whitehall situations dreamed up by Anthony jay and Jonathan Lynn in the original TV comedy series and re-worked for this 30th anniversary stage production will be as relevant, sharp and funny as they were in the long-ago 1980s.
Starring Henry Goodman as Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby and David Haig as Prime Minister Jim Hacker, this world premiere, which runs from May 13 to June 5, is likely to introduce new fans to the cult classic while delighting the legion of aficionados of the gifted author.
If you were young and in the throes of a first romance in the 1970s, Erich Segal's heart-jerking LOVE STORY, either the book or film, probably registered on your radar as the epitome of poignant true love. In another world premiere, with music composed by Howard Goodall, a new musical version will be at the Minerva from My 29 to June 26.
Another American musical but with a totally different aura is the season’s show-stopper, 42ND STREET, next up at the Festival Theatre (June 21-August 28), with its feel-good story of the Broadway chorus girl’s rise to fame. Toe-tapping, hum-along classis songs include We’re in the Money, Keep Young and Beautiful and I Only Have Eyes For You. Lovers of dance and song will be in seventh heaven.
A fascinating double bill bringing together two quick-witted, popular playwrights working two centuries apart will enable audiences to compare and contrast Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s THE CRITIC and THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND by Tom Stoppard opens on July 2 and continues until August 28 at the Minerva interwoven with performances of Howard Brenton’s new adaptation of THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell.
No doubt film star Rupert Everett as Professor Higgins will be compared to Rex Harrison in his interpretation of the male lead in George Bernard Shaw’s PYGMALION but this version of the drama will enable audiences to concentrate on the subleties of Shaw’s text without the diversion of songs. Although the actress taking on the role of Eliza Doolittle is yet to be announced, Chichester favourite Stephanie Cole will play the linguistic professor’s mother, Mrs Higgins. Directed and designed by Philip Prowse, Pygmalion is being staged from July 9 to August 27.
The third world premiere of the season is a new adaptation by David Edgar of Ibsen’s enthralling tragedy of human relationships, THE MASTER BUILDER, which will be on the Minerva stage from September 9 to October 9.
Another 19th Century classic, A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY, ends the Festival Theatre season (September 24 to October 16) but for a week before that there is a welcome return of award-winning Lucy Prebble’s ENRON for those who were unable to book a seat for its fantastic Minerva debut in 2009.
Talks and other events complement the season. For more information and bookings, see the website www.cft.org.uk or call 01243 781312.