Supporters events

Support us

Supporters events

Available to supporters at Champion level and above

Hear from visiting creatives or CFT staff and get a unique insider's perspective at our Behind the Scenes... events throughout the season.

Hosted in the Minerva Bar, which will be open for refreshments.

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Spotlight events

A Spotlight on Adapting Stories for Stage

Date and time tbc

Hear from authors and playwrights from CFT's past about how novels are adapted for the stage. Hosted by Kate Mosse, there will be a chance to hear from the panel and an opportunity to ask questions of your own. Panellists to be confirmed. Ticket price includes a welcome drink, and the bar will be open for refreshments. 

Available to Encore, Ovation, Season Circle, Artists Circle and Directors Circle supporters. Information on how to book for this exclusive paid event to follow.

A pile of books by and about John le Carré on a table, behind a blue mug.
Rehearsals for CFT’s The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Image: Johan Persson

Dinner and Drinks events

Supporters Dinner

Thu 27 Mar 6pm

An evening with fellow supporters and members of the CFT team. Enjoy a two-course dinner and hear about the impact of your generous support.

Available to Ovation, Season Circle, Artists Circle and Directors Circle supporters. Invitation to follow.

Drinks with Directors

Date and time tbc

Enjoy private drinks with Justin Audibert and Kathy Bourne as we raise a toast to Festival 2025 and celebrate the brilliant impact of your generous support.

Available to Artists and Directors Circle supporters. Invitation to follow.

Chairman's Dinner

Date and time tbc

Join us for a very special celebration of your support at an exclusive evening in a beautiful Chichester venue. Enjoy dinner alongside writers, directors and actors from CFT past, present and future.

Available to Directors Circle supporters. Invitation to follow.

Two guests wearing smart clothes sit at a dinner table, drinking fizz. They smile and chat comfortably. Other guests can be seen around them and in the background and the table has been beautifully dressed with a white table cloth and colourful flowers.
Development lunch event at Chichester Festival Theatre Image: Tim Hills 2024

Dress rehearsals

Marie and Rosetta
Wed 25 Jun 2.15pm
Top Hat

Mon 14 Jul 2.30pm

Lord of the Flies

Fri 19 Sep 2.30pm

Safe Space

Sat 11 Oct 2.15pm

An audience in a theatre auditorium are seated and clapping with smiling faces. They're really loving the show.
Audiences at the Gala performance Image: Tim Hills 2024

An exclusive first-look at Festival 2025 shows before they open to audiences. 

Supporters at each level are invited to attend the following:

  • Ovation: the dress rehearsal for either Top Hat or Lord of the Flies
  • Season Circle: two dress rehearsals, choosing between Marie & Rosetta, Top Hat and Lord of the Flies
  • Artists and Directors Circle: two dress rehearsals, choosing between any of the above

Invitations and information on how to choose which rehearsal(s) you would like to attend will follow.

Directors insights

Sir Gregory Doran: The Government Inspector

Tue 15 Apr 6.15pm

Hear from Sir Gregory Doran, former Artistic Director of the RSC, learning more about his journey directing The Government Inspector and making his Chichester debut.

Justin Audibert: Hamlet

Tue 26 Aug 6.15pm

Hear from our Artistic Director on directing Chichester's first ever production of Shakespeare's towering tragedy. 

Anthony Lau: Lord of the Flies

Tue 9 Sep 6.16pm

Hear about Anthony Lau's journey as a director with tales from the rehearsal room of this epic adventure.

Dale Rooks: A Boy Called Christmas

Date and time tbc

Dale Rooks returns to direct the CFYT Christmas show in the Festival Theatre. Find out how rehearsals are going for this delightful festive treat.

Two people sit talking at an event. One holds a microphone that he speaks into and the other looks at him with interest. They look comfortable together.
Justin Audibert and Paul Unwin Image: Tim Hills 2024

Season, Artists and Directors Circle supporters are invited to select up to three Directors Insights events from the list above. Invitations and information on how to choose which events you would like to attend will follow.

Technical rehearsals

Anna Karenina

Thu 5 Jun time tbc

Top Hat

Wed 9 Jul time tbc

Choir

Thu 31 Jul time tbc

Hamlet

Thu 4 Sep time tbc

A man's hand moves a lever on a lit up technical desk
Technical desk Image: Tim Hills 2023

Marvel as the creative teams make the finishing touches to Festival 2025 productions before they open to audiences. 

Artists and Directors Circle supporters are invited to select three technical rehearsals from the list above. Invitations and information on how to choose which rehearsals you would like to attend will follow.

Writers Round Table

Fri 4 Apr and Fri 25 Oct 2pm

Hear from writers about bringing new plays to life. Each event will include discussions with two writers plus a confidential insight into the plays and musicals that we're commissioning. 

Directors Circle supporters will receive invitations to Writers Round Table events closer to the time. 

Audience members mingle in a crowded bar, lit in an atmospheric pink. In the centre is a lady sipping a glass of fizz, looking up at a man whose back is to the camera, listening. They look relaxed and casual.
All events are subject to change, and we’ll endeavour to give as much notice as possible if any changes to date, times or speakers occur. Access to rehearsals is at the discretion of the Director of each show. If it becomes necessary to close a rehearsal, we will let you know as soon as possible and discuss alternatives.

Open to all

  1. A circular cut-out silhouette, like an old-fashioned fairy story image, shows a boy wearing a red cap, a scarf, coat and boots, holding up his hand on which is perched a mouse. He stands surrounded by snow-laden pine trees, and a reindeer is leaping above his head.

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  2. A graphic illustration of skyscrapers in shades of blue with a dark background. On top of the buildings, yellow text reads 'Irving Berlin's Top Hat The Musical'. The 'O' is represented by a top hat with a couple in glamorous Hollywood costumes dancing elegantly in hold.
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