Event T2: Pergola Open Air Theatre
2026-06-29 19:30 - 21:45 (Europe/London) | West Dean Gardens, West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0RX, United Kingdom
Enjoy an enchanting summer evening’s theatre with six performances of Shakespeare’s everlastingly-popular masterpiece alternating with Ayckbourn’s classic comedy. You are welcome to bring your own picnics from 5.30pm.
For further info, see the West Dean website.
Come to this glorious setting at this ever-popular venue and enjoy two contrasting and entertaining shows to lift your spirits on a summer’s evening. You are welcome to bring your own picnics from 5.30pm and the the Gardens kitchen will be open on theatre nights for pre-theatre supper and drinks.
Please see the West Dean Gardens website for further info regarding picnics and restaurant.

Event T3: Arts Dream Selsey: Letters Live - A Performance
2026-07-03 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-04 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-05 14:30 - 16:30, 2026-07-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Westberry House, 51 West St, Selsey, West Sussex, PO10 9AE, United Kingdom
A wonderful celebration of the human experience, captured through the real words of real people where remarkable letters are read by a group of outstanding performers. Join us for an intimate night exploring love, joy, and crankiness and the enduring power of the letter.
Our troupe of actors showcase the joy that words can bring, and the sadness shared with a trusted confidante. We have letters from famous correspondents, but it’s often the stories and feelings shared by the unknown writer that tug at the heartstrings. Join us for this intimate gathering. And a glass or two!
Arts Dream Selsey has been promoting participation in artistic endeavours in the local community since 2012. We make access to music, sculpture, painting and theatrical performances available for all. Our troupe of professional actors have been working together for a number of years to create entertaining evenings.

Event T4: Poisoned Beds
2026-07-05 14:30 - 16:15 | New Park Centre, Chichester, New Park Rd, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7XY, United Kingdom
Who would have believed that 120 years ago, local water companies would pump untreated sewage into Chichester Harbour at Emsworth, the famous home of the finest oyster beds in Europe?
Poisoned Beds is set in December 1918. Elizabeth Wells is preparing a concert to celebrate women’s suffrage and the end of the Great War. But she cannot celebrate the future without reconciling herself to her tragic past.
Elizabeth recounts her captivating story of one woman’s personal liberation set against the fight for suffrage and the death of the Victorian oyster industry.
Poisoned Beds is a collaboration between Lucy Flannery and Greg Mosse, two highly-regarded theatre writers, and the play will delight audiences with its clever combination of comedy and pathos, sharp dialogue, unexpected plot twists and wonderfully witty lyrics.
West End actress Paula Tinker gives a virtuoso performance in this superb one-act script, accompanied on stage by much-loved theatre composer John Gleadall. After a short interval, there will be a chance for the audience to join in more songs of the sea and have an informal chat with the performers. Be prepared to sing!
‘A fascinating play, excellently performed by Paula Tinker, ably accompanied by musician and lyricist John Gleadall’ – Londonpubtheatres.com

Event SW18: Sentimentality, Scepticism and Struggle: British strikes and political protest on film
2026-07-11 10:30 - 12:10 | Chichester Cinema at New Park, New Park Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7XY, United Kingdom
In the second of two events for the Festival of Chichester, both of which are linked to productions at Chichester Festival Theatre, we mark the centenary of the General Strike with a look back at protest in British films.
In May 1926, a time of political, social and economic unrest, Britain experienced its only general strike. With one or two noticeable exceptions, such as My Old Dutch (1934), the General Strike is rarely represented in film.
To mark the centenary, this talk, illustrated by a range of clips, by Emeritus Professor of Cultural History Maggie Andrews, will explore a range of portrayals of strikes and political protest in British films. Whilst I’m All Right Jack (1959) and Carry On at Your Convenience (1971) have taken a satirical approach to industrial disputes, other films such as Comrades (1987) and Peterloo (2018) have been criticised as worthy but tedious. Alternatively, a range of films, including Billy Elliot (2000), Made in Dagenham (2010), Pride (2014) and Suffragette (2015) are uplifting but romanticised and sentimental. We will explore how the most successful films have managed to entertain audiences without sacrificing historical authenticity.
Pride will screen after the talk at 13.00 on July 11, and the new play Atlantis opens at Chichester Festival Theatre on July 18.

Event T5: Outdoor Theatre: Pinocchio
2026-07-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Chichester Cathedral, Chichester Cathedral, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1PX, United Kingdom
A wooden puppet runs away yearning for adventure, but instead finds cruel bosses, con artists and exciting attractions which always contain hidden dangers. Illyria celebrates this magical coming-of-age tale in a thrilling musical outdoor show.
Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, adapted by Oliver Gray. Carlo Collodi’s classic is a perennial favourite. It is the third most translated book in the world, having appeared in no fewer than 260 languages since it was published in 1883, and has never been out of print.
Running time: 95-minutes (approx.), including a 20-minute interval.
Recommended for ages 5+ (younger children also welcome).
