Guys And Dolls at Chichester Festival Theatre
A sure-fire hit
A new production of Guys And Dolls brings Broadway music magic to Chichester Festival Theatre
Following a string of hit musicals – Sweeney Todd, Singin’ in the Rain and Barnum – that have all transferred to the West End, Chichester Festival Theatre have another musical hit on their hands. Their production of the multi award-winning Guys and Dolls, the first musical to grace its stage following a major redevelopment to spruce and renew the Festival Theatre, has received a host of glowing reviews.
Clare Foster, Jamie Parker, Peter Polycarpou and Sophie Thompson are the endearing foursome in this entertaining classic. Hugely popular, this musical originally opened in 1950, winning five Tony Awards including ‘Best Musical’. It inspired the award-winning 1955 movie which starred Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson, and Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit.
Now with New York sass, Cuban rhythms and plenty of romance, Chichester’s Guys and Dolls has all the Broadway musical magic you could want, including the hit numbers ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’ and ‘Luck Be a Lady’. Roll the dice on this classic Broadway musical and we gamble you’ll be in for a sure-fire hit.
The Festival season at Chichester continues to offer theatrical delights into the autumn, as the Theatre awaits Gypsy with award-winning Imelda Staunton as the legendary Mama Rose.
Gypsy reunites the team from another Sondheim musical, Sweeney Todd, as Jonathan Kent returns to direct with Anthony Ward, again designing this highly anticipated production.
Lara Pulver returns to Chichester to play Louise following her performance in Uncle Vanya (2012). Kevin Whately, familiar to many as Lewis (ITV), makes his Chichester debut as Herbie. Other highlights include Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband featuring Patricia Routlege as Lady Markby, and the renowned Chichester Festival Youth Theatre take us up to Christmas with their production of The Hundred and One Dalmatians – a tail-wagging festive treat!
The creation of Chichester Festival Theatre is an extraordinary story of local initiative and enthusiasm. In 1962, Sir Laurence Olivier, the theatre’s first Artistic Director, opened the doors to this ‘impossible theatre’ – strikingly modern with a vast thrust stage, built against all the odds in the green parkland of the cathedral city of Chichester.
Chichester Festival Theatre is now one of the UK’s flagship theatres with an international reputation for producing work of the highest quality, ranging from large-scale musicals to distinguished dramas, new writing and events. The Festival is followed by a programme of high quality touring shows in the winter months – soon to be announced.
The Theatre’s Learning and Participation team create a wide range of exclusive events, tours and talks designed to give audiences extra insight into the productions, classes for all ages, and run an extensive Youth Theatre reaching across West Sussex which produces a highly regarded Christmas production each year.
During 2012 – its 50th anniversary year – Chichester Festival Theatre embarked on a major capital project, RENEW, to restore and upgrade its Grade 2* listed building. In 2014 it reopened its completely refurbished 1,300-seat Festival Theatre.
With a transformed auditorium, expanded artist and audience facilities, and greatly improved visitor access, Chichester Festival Theatre can now proudly match its world-class artistic reputation with world-class spaces.
Guys and Dolls plays until 21 September (best availability late September).
Tickets from £15, discounts and concessions available, prices subject to change.
cft.org.uk / 01243 781312
The show has now transferred to the Savoy Theatre at the West End. For more information click here.
