A COMPELLING mix of drama, family shows, comedy and music will feature in Chichester Festival Theatre’s Winter 2015 season.

Penelope Keith returns in the world premier of Mrs Pat from October 15 to November 7. This one-woman play is about the celebrated 19th and 20th century actress Mrs Patrick Campbell.

Also receiving its world premiere is Walter & Lenny, which documents the delightful relationship between composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein and the Dean of Chichester Cathedral, Walter Hussey. The play, which runs from November 11 to 14, marks the 50th anniversary of the Cathedral performance of their choral collaboration, the Chichester Psalms.

The drama offerings also include the 60th anniversary production of a classic thriller, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap from November 23 to 28. The setting is a country house cut off by snow where a group of people discover there is a murderer in their midst.

The Olivier award-winning drama King Charles III runs from November 30 to December 5, following an acclaimed run in the West End. This provocative exploration of power, democracy and the conscience of Britain’s most famous family features Robert Powell as King Charles III.

Also exploring the enduring fascination with royalty – and Russian spies – is an award-winning double bill by Alan Bennett. Single Spies chronicles the lives of Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt, two of the ‘Cambridge Five’ spy ring in the 1950s, and runs from February 4 to 13.

The Youth Theatre returns to the Festival Theatre stage with a revival of its much-loved production of A Christmas Carol from December 18 to January 2.

Hetty Feather is an enchanting story about a young girl’s adventure following her escape from a Victorian Founding Hospital. Based on a novel by Jacqueline Wilson, this production uses songs, live music and circus skills to glorious effect and runs from January 27 to 31.

Thrills are also on offer from Dinosaur Zoo, which brings an array of prehistoric creatures to life ranging from cute baby dinos to ravenous reptiles from February 16 to 20.

Moscow City Ballet returns to herald the New Year with two classic productions accompanied by a live orchestra from January 5 to 10. Swan Lake is the powerful story of a tragic love affair, performed to Tchaikovsky’s evocative score, coupled with The Sleeping Beauty’s magical characters and opulent costumes.

The dark art of juggling will be unleashed by Gandini, making their Chichester debut on January 20 with an unforgettable mix of circus, dance and theatre in the mesmerising juggling show Smashed.

Comedy lovers can enjoy performances from Pam Ayres, returning on February 14 following her latest book You Made Me Late Again!, and Stewart Lee with his new live show A Room With A Stew on February 20.

There’s music for lovers of all genres ranging from iconic pop to classical concerts. Joan Armatrading plays a solo gig on November 20 as part of her final major world tour and the Christmas Concerts return from December 7 to 12 offering a festive mix of carols old and new alongside readings, anecdotes and poems.

The BBC Concert Orchestra returns to its regional home at Chichester for two dates. The Orchestra joins forces with award-winning folk duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan to reinterpret traditional material on November 18. This will be followed by a celebration of muscial productions at Chichester Festival Theatre including hit songs from The Music Man, Kiss Me Kate and Sweeney Todd on January 22 for a live Radio 2 broadcast.

There will also be musical offerings from The Band and Bugles of the Rifles whose concert will feature some of Britain’s best loved pieces.

such as Nimrod and Land of Hope and Glory on November 21, and Southern Pro Musica’s popular Children’s Concert which inlcudes musical classics and audience participation compered by magician extraordinaire Neil Henry and conducted by Jonathan Willcocks on January 19.

HMS Pinafore in Concert features the cast of the country’s finest G&S singers and orchestra on January 21, while one of the world’s most famous brass bands, the Black Dyke Band performs well known classical pieces, military marches and film music on January 23, and Spotlight on the Edge, a charity concert in support of Children On The Edge, will be an evening of music, song and dance on January 24.

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