>News Story
Our Christmas production of Cinderella marks 10 years of Relaxed Performances at Chichester Festival Theatre. Relaxed Performances include small changes to create a more laid-back environment for audience members, such as reduced volume and stage lights, a pre-show introduction and a chill-out area in the foyer. It is for any theatre-lovers who would benefit - particularly those with autism, learning disabilities, or anxiety.
Louise Rigglesford, our Senior Outreach & Community Manager, help set up the initiative 10 years ago. She remembers:
We recognised the need to create a space where people who might otherwise feel uncomfortable or excluded in a traditional theatre setting could experience the joy of live performance. It has been an absolute pleasure to see these performances grow in popularity and frequency over the past 10 years, allowing us to welcome a diverse audience who might otherwise miss out. Relaxed Performances mean so much to us and our audiences, and they underscore our belief that theatre can and should be for everyone.
Since our first Relaxed Performance in 2014, these performances have grown to become a key part of our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Helena Berry, our Heritage & Archive Manager, takes a look back at some of the productions to have benefited from these performances.
2014 The Hundred and One Dalmatians
The very first production at CFT to have a Relaxed Performance was The Hundred and One Dalmatians. Exactly 101 young people from Chichester Festival Youth Theatre flooded the Festival Theatre stage and auditorium for the first Christmas show back in the Festival Theatre after the Theatre’s 18-month renovation project RENEW.
2017 Fiddler on the Roof
This classic and poignant production was the first summer musical to have a Relaxed Performance at CFT. It was directed by Daniel Evans during his inaugural season as Artistic Director in 2017, starring Omid Djalili and Tracy-Ann Oberman.
2018 Sleeping Beauty
The Youth Theatre has garnered extensive alumni over the years, some achieving spectacularly in the world of the arts while others utilised transferable skills to become teachers, tour guides or videographers. One of them was director Lucy Betts who came full circle in 2018, returning to Chichester to direct CFYT’s Christmas show Sleeping Beauty.
2019 Oklahoma!
Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical Oklahoma! was the centrepiece of Festival 2019. A memorable set by Robert Jones extended the stage into the loading dock, giving audiences the sense of the vast American prairie.
2022 The Famous Five
Based on the multi-million-selling novels by Enid Blyton, this new musical was an exciting and heart-warming adventure. This was the first time that two productions in our summer Festival Season had a Relaxed Performance – another milestone.
2023 The Sound of Music
A new production of the classic musical The Sound of Music, complete with uplifting songs, singing nuns and unruly children, it was dubbed 'immaculate' by critics. It starred Gina Beck in her second leading role at CFT following her performance as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific in 2021.
2024 Hey, Christmas Tree!
Enchanting, funny and heart-warming, this festive story about the importance of finding friendship and somewhere to call home, has a relaxed performance on 29 December.
To find out even more about our relaxed performances this Christmas and how to book head here.
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