insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 20 - October 2016 | Page 37
ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
C H R I S T M A S AT
CHICHESTER
FESTIVAL THEATRE
Chichester Festival Theatre’s winter season offers an exciting array of entertainment for
the whole family, appealing to all tastes and ages from toddlers upwards. The theatre
welcomes children and families and is a proud member of the Family Arts Standards
(www.familyartsstandards.com). A range of special refreshments and high chairs are
available in the café - a fun area with lots of space in the foyer for buggies and lively little
ones, and baby changing facilities are provided in both male and female toilets.
Celebrate Christmas itself with Chichester
Festival Youth Theatre (CFYT), who return to
the Festival Theatre stage in perennial favourite
Peter Pan, suitable for ages 7 and over. Under
the direction of Dale Rooks, CFYT has been
presenting captivating productions for over a
decade, and last year the company won the
prestigious UK Theatre Award for ‘Best Show for
Children and Young People’ for Running Wild.
The annual Christmas shows have become
something of a tradition for many families and
Peter Pan is certain to delight with puppetry
designed by Michael Fowkes and enchanting
music composed by Eammon O’Dwyer.
J.M. Barrie’s classic tale tells the thrilling story of
the wistful, maverick boy who refuses to grow
up, teaches the Darling children how to fly, and
whisks them off to Neverland – a delightfully
frightening place. As well as other occasionally
ordinary children from the outside world, they
encounter a company of lost boys, mysterious
mermaids, and a gang of swashbuckling pirates
and their leader, the villainous Captain Hook.
A relaxed performance on December 30th at
2pm welcomes individuals, groups and families
with children on the autistic spectrum, with
sensory and communication disorders, or with a
learning disability - or anyone who would benefit
from a more relaxed theatre environment.
For younger ones, Mr Popper’s Penguins is the
perfect winter treat. Painter and decorator by
day, Mr Popper spends his time dreaming of
Antarctic adventures. He is astounded when,
one day, a packing crate arrives on his doorstep,
out of which waddles a penguin! This adaptation
of Richard and Florence Atwater’s popular book
(also made into a Hollywood film starring Jim
Carrey) is produced by the same team behind
equally phenomenal shows, The Tiger Who
Came to Tea and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Filled with warmth, humour, and of course
a troupe of endearing penguin puppets, Mr
Popper’s Penguins is the perfect introduction to
theatre for little ones aged 3 and over. Families
can enjoy a free play area in the Minerva Bar
and Grill before and after performances with
bean bags, play mats and lots of craft activities
for all ages.
The Royal Marines Portsmouth and Chichester
Cathedral Choir band lead this year’s
Christmas concerts, a celebration of the
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festive season with traditional carols, seasonal
singalongs, and a few Christmas-cracker jokes.
Last year’s entertaining evenings included a
repertoire of much-loved yuletide songs, which
varied from ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing!’
to ‘Carol of the Bells’, and Leroy Anderson’s
‘Sleigh Ride’. This year’s programme will once
again be topped off with an appearance from
the Royal Marine’s extraordinary band, Corps
of Drums, which is certainly not to be missed.
Throughout the season families can take part in
workshops and activities, designed to explore
the productions on and beyond the stage.
Celebrate Mr Popper’s Penguins at the Penguin
Bauble Workshop and Penguin Party! Or, find
out what goes on behind the scenes at the Peter
Pan Theatre Day. For further details, please call
01243 781312, or visit www.cft.org.uk.
Christmas concerts: December 6th to 10th;
tickets from £15.
Mr Popper’s Penguins: December 7th to 11th;
tickets from £12.50.
Peter Pan: December 17th to 31st; tickets
from £10.