Chichester Festival Theatre reopens with SOUTH PACIFIC and a film of CRAVE

Chichester Festival Theatre have today announced that they will reopen with their summer musical, South Pacific, running from 5 July-4 September 2021.

Daniel Evans directs an outstanding cast led by Gina Beck (Nellie Forbush), Julian Ovenden (Emile de Becque) Joanna Ampil (Bloody Mary), Keir Charles (Luther Billis) and Rob Houchen (Joe Cable), alongside Iroy Abesamis, Carl Au, Rosanna Bates, David Birrell, Taylor Bradshaw, Bobbie Chambers, Danny Collins, Shailan Gohil, Adrian Grove, Zack Guest, Matthew Maddison, Sera Maehara (as Liat), Melissa Nettleford, Kate Playdon, Pierce Rogan and Clancy Ryan.

The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical boasts one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most memorable scores, featuring songs such as ‘Some Enchanted Evening’, ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair’ and ‘Bali Ha’i’. 

This production is designed by Peter McKintosh, with choreography by Ann Yee, musical direction by Cat Beveridge, musical supervision by Nigel Lilley, orchestrations by David Cullen, lighting by Howard Harrison, and sound by Paul Groothuis.

South Pacific will initially go on sale with a reduced capacity auditorium to ease congestion in the foyers and public spaces, with a view to moving to full capacity as soon as government guidelines permit. There will also be one specially designated socially distanced performance every week for audience members who would prefer to remain socially distanced for the foreseeable future. The production will also be streamed online, with dates to be announced.

Prior to South Pacific, a filmed production of Sarah Kane’s Crave will be available to watch on demand from 18-29 May; a new edit of Tinuke Craig’s acclaimed production, with remastered sound and incorporating new footage from filmmaker Ravi Deepres.

In a damaged world, four characters search for the light. This heart-rending, funny, kind and cruel meditation on the meaning of love resonated with audiences looking to reconnect after the loneliness and seclusion inflicted by a global pandemic.

Erin Doherty, Alfred Enoch, Wendy Kweh and Jonathan Slinger feature in the production, which is designed by Alex Lowde, with lighting by Joshua Pharo, and composition/sound by Anna Clock.

The venue is also planning a weekend of open air concerts and family events in Oaklands Park in early June.

Executive Director Kathy Bourne and Artistic Director Daniel Evans said: “Seldom can a summer have been as eagerly anticipated as this one. We are so proud and thankful to be able to say: we are re-opening, we will be producing work on our stages and digitally, and we will continue to serve our community of audiences and theatre-makers.

“We know that Chichester’s summer musical is a highlight of the year for people locally, regionally and nationally. South Pacific should have been the centrepiece of Festival 2020; we couldn’t be more thrilled that it will finally open this July, with a superb cast and creative team who’ve waited a year to bring it to fruition.

“We’re also delighted to offer a specially made film of our Autumn highlight, Sarah Kane’s Crave – giving audiences around the globe a second chance to see Tinuke Craig’s revelatory production.

“While South Pacific will initially be booking with a reduced capacity auditorium and a dedicated socially distanced performance every week, our hope is that, later in 2021, we will see the return of non-socially distanced audiences with a renewed confidence and appetite for live performance. We’ll announce further productions for Festival 2021 later this spring.”

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