Chichester Festival Theatre has announced a spectacular lineup for its 2026 season, promising a year filled with world premieres, classic revivals, and star-studded performances. The festivities begin on a grand scale in March with a giant-sized production of Roald Dahl’s The BFG, directed by Daniel Evans, followed by the gripping drama Magic, which stars David Haig as Arthur Conan Doyle and Hadley Fraser as Harry Houdini. In May, the Minerva Theatre hosts the world premiere of John Morton’s Eclipse, featuring Sarah Parish and Rupert Penry-Jones in a sharp and moving look at family tensions. This is followed by a landmark stage adaptation of Ian McEwan’s celebrated novel Atonement, brought to the Festival Theatre stage by Christopher Hampton.
The summer months offer an exceptionally diverse range of stories, including the stage version of the acclaimed film 45 Years starring Geraldine James and the much-anticipated Chichester debut of the glorious musical My Fair Lady. New writing remains at the heart of the programme with Emily White’s Atlantis and Stephanie Street’s a small and quiet light, which tells the heroic story of secret agent Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan with Priyanga Burford in the lead role. As autumn approaches, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream receives a vibrant nineties rave-inspired makeover, marking the theatrical debut of comedian Munya Chawawa.
The season draws to a close with festive magic for the whole family, including the return of Michael Morpurgo’s Hey! Christmas Tree and a musical adventure of Peter Pan presented by the Youth Theatre. Beyond the main stages, the 2026 programme includes an array of experimental performances at The Nest and a variety of community activities, such as the Walk of the Dandelion to celebrate Green Week. With a blend of intimate drama and large-scale spectacle, Chichester continues to reinforce its reputation as a leading light in British theatre.
