Concerts in the Park offers open-air entertainment this summer
Chichester Festival Theatre is presenting a celebratory weekend of open-air entertainment in Oaklands Park from Thursday-sunday, June 3-6, heralding the reopening of the theatre ahead of the summer musical South Pacific.
Concerts in the Park will take place on Thursday, June 3, Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5 at 7pm and on Sunday, June 6 at 2pm.
Spokesman Lucinda Morrison said: “Concerts in the Park will feature a celebrity compere, West End stars including Carly Bawden (Romantics Anonymous, Alice, My Fair Lady) and Ako Mitchell (Caroline, Or Change, Sister Act, The Color Purple) and a superb live band to perform beloved numbers from musical theatre and beyond for an uplifting evening of (hopefully!) sunshine and song.
“The concerts are directed by Louise Shephard, whose recent work includes CFT’S Celebrating Sondheim concert, and the musical director is Theo Jamieson.
“Family Fun in the Park will take place on Friday,
June 4 and Saturday, June 5 at 1.30pm, with actors using puppetry to bring stories including Lauren Child’s That Pesky Rat to life. Families can also join in a fun Dance-along as part of Telling Tiger Tales. Suitable for ages four and up.
“The format will follow the highly successful model seen at last summer’s events, with a raised stage erected next to the Festival Theatre on Oaklands Park. Plots will be marked out on the Park for all events, with small plots for up to two people and larger plots for up to six people.
“Dress floral! Why not bring on the flower power, whether in your favourite frock, leggings, a fancy tie or just a buttonhole? Arrangements will be in place for social distancing, and all rules and guidelines prevalent at the time will be strictly adhered to throughout the event. The event is being planned with the cooperation and support of Chichester District Council.”
Tickets on www.cft.org.uk. Plots of varying sizes will cost from £10 (for two people) for Family Fun in the Park and from £40 (for two people) for the Concerts in the Park.
Concerts: running time approx 90 mins, doors open one hour beforehand for picnicking. Family Fun In The Park: running time approx 60 mins, doors open at 12.30pm for picnicking.