Coronavirus: Chichester Festival Theatre to make shows available online for free

Chichester Festival Theatre is to stream productions from its archive online for the first time, beginning with the musical Flowers for Mrs Harris.

The 2018 production stars Clare Burt, Joanna Riding and Gary Wilmot, and is directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s artistic director Daniel Evans.

It will be available to watch for free on the theatre’s website from 1pm on April 9 until May 8.

Evans and Kathy Bourne, executive director of CFT, said: “We are delighted that, thanks to the generous agreement of all the artists involved, we are able to make Flowers for Mrs Harris available for people to watch for free at home.

“Initially, this was intended to be no more than an archive recording, but we felt that the themes of kindness and compassion might bring a bit of joy to people’s lives during these very difficult conditions.

“While the ­­­­­­­theatre itself is closed, we are determined to keep working behind the scenes to bring theatre to people at home.”

Flowers for Mrs Harris began life at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 2016, and ran again at CFT in 2018. It has a book by Rachel Wagstaff and music and lyrics by Richard Taylor.

The production is designed by Lez Brotherston, with musical supervision and musical direction by Tom Brady, orchestrations by Richard Taylor, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Mike Walker, movement by Naomi Said and casting by Charlotte Sutton. It is presented in association with Vicky Graham, Joseph Smith and Bob Bartner.

Details of future broadcasts are to be announced.