Chichester Festival Theatre

Laurence Olivier served as the founding artistic director when the theatre opened in 1962. His involvement helped establish Chichester as a major repertory venue, and many of his Chichester company members later formed the nucleus of Britain's National Theatre.

The building was designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya and is known for its open thrust stage and hexagonal auditorium. The thrust stage configuration brings the audience around three sides of the action, creating an intimate relationship between performers and spectators.

Chichester served as a crucial incubator for the National Theatre, with Laurence Olivier and many of his Chichester company members forming the core of the National Theatre when it was formally established in 1963. Numerous productions that originated at Chichester have subsequently transferred to the National Theatre or to the West End.

Chichester Festival Theatre operates primarily as a seasonal repertory venue, with its main festival season typically running from spring through autumn each year. The theatre also supports a year-round program of community and educational activities alongside its mainstage productions.