SING YER HEART OUT FOR THE LADS By Roy Williams
WELCOME
KATHY BOURNE AND DANIEL EVANS PHOTOGRAPH BY SEAMUS RYAN
FESTIVAL 2022
In autumn 2019, the Chichester Spiegeltent opened with Nicole Charles’s new production of Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads. Roy Williams’s play hit the back of the net for audiences and critics alike. A planned National Theatre transfer was sadly shown the red card by the pandemic; so we are delighted that you now have another chance to see this compelling and powerful work in the Minerva, which revival director Joanna Bowman and set designer Joanna Scotcher have transformed to give an immersive sense of a south London pub. It’s testament to how special this production is, that 10 of the original cast of 14 are returning to their roles. It’s a joy to welcome them back, together with the four “new” actors joining them.
Much has changed since 2019, and even more so since 2002 when the play premiered at the National Theatre. Sadly, the scourge of racism both on and off the pitch has not; and in this World Cup and Women’s Euro year, the play is more pertinent than ever. As the sports writer Jonathan Liew says in his article in this programme, ‘if football is a microcosm of society, then by fixing the part we can start to fix the whole.’ We hope you enjoy the performance – and to see you again later in the season, particularly for the next contemporary play in the Minerva: Christopher Shinn’s gripping and witty The Narcissist.
Executive Director Kathy Bourne
cft.org.uk
Artistic Director Daniel Evans
F E S T I VA L 2 0 2 2
Harry Lloyd Claire Skinner
THE NARCISSIST A new play by Christopher Shinn A gripping, inventive and witty take on personal and political communication in the internet age. Harry Lloyd and Claire Skinner lead the cast in this world premiere from celebrated American playwright Christopher Shinn, directed by Josh Seymour.
MINERVA THEATRE 26 August – 24 September #TheNarcissist
cft.org.uk
F E S T I VA L 2 0 2 2
Jenna Russell
WOMAN IN MIND By Alan Ayckbourn Olivier Award winner Jenna Russell stars in Alan Ayckbourn’s dazzling black comedy, taking us on a dizzying journey through the looking glass into a woman’s mind. Anna Mackmin directs.
FESTIVAL THEATRE 23 September – 15 October #WomanInMind
cft.org.uk
LEARNING ON THE JOB Apprenticeships and Traineeships are an important feature of CFT’s work, not least because they support the training of the next generation of theatre makers and provide vital access routes into the creative industry.
WITHIN THE LAST SIX YEARS: • 10 Technical Theatre and two Education apprentices and trainees have successfully graduated from CFT and are all now working professionally in the industry • 12 Trainees and 42 Young Practitioners have trained in our Learning department, with 89% opting for careers in the arts. • Over 200 work experiences opportunities have been offered to school students • In 2021, an alumni apprentice, Jesse Caie, won the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) Award for Emerging Excellence.
• We have also partnered for three years with the Association of Professional Lighting Designers (ALPD) to launch Lumiere: an early career development programme to offer professionals working in theatrical lighting a six-month placement at CFT, followed by six months with a freelance theatre lighting designers. CURRENTLY: • We have a new Creative Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeship; a Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship (level 3); and a Creative Industries Production Manager Apprenticeship (level 7) which we believe to be the first of its kind in theatre. • We also have one Trainee Producer; two Youth & Community Trainees and six young people undertaking the annual Young Practitioners Training programme.
JESSE CAIE
F E S T I VA L 2 0 2 2
CFT TRAINEES RYAN PANTLING & AMY CLAYTON
Lucy Guyver is Creative Industries Production Manager Apprentice: a two-year MA-equivalent course at CFT in partnership with Chichester College I did a degree in technical theatre and stage at CFT; next, I’m going to help him on the management at RADA. I wanted to go into South Pacific tour. production management, but didn’t have The apprenticeship is 80% working at CFT, enough experience. So this apprenticeship, 20% college work or self-training. Alongside for this very specific job, was exactly what this is a lot of coursework, building up to my I needed. end-point assessment for which I have to The production manager oversees all the complete a big project and give a presentation physical and technical aspects of getting a on why I did it the way I did, and present production ready for the stage, making sure my portfolio. the set is built and every department has the This course is unique; it’s the first in the time they need to create the vision on stage. country. don’t know where I Alecky Blythe’s engrossing new verbatim playI genuinely tells the stories of a generation. You have to keepOften everyone happy! Budgets would be if I hadn’t found it. To be good too extraordinary to be fiction, Daniel Evans directs this funny aand and scheduling are the moving other key aspects. production manager, you need a lot of play in a co-production with the National Theatre. CFT has given me opportunities to be experience; it’s hard to get into and it’s still mentored by professionals. I’ve achieved male-dominated field, although the MINERVAa very THEATRE a West End credit as Assistant Production number of women is growing. Without this – 14 May I doubt I would still be Manager on Cock at the Ambassador’s 22 Aprilapprenticeship, #OurGeneration Theatre, which came through their production considering it as a career. It’s been pretty manager, Ben Arkell, who works regularly life-changing.
LEAP cft.org.uk
FOOD AND DRINK Enjoy delicious food and drink at Chichester Festival Theatre. Whether you’re having a meal before the show, simply relaxing with a coffee or powering up using our free Wi-Fi, we can’t wait to welcome you.
FOOD AND DRINK BEFORE THE SHOW
GREAT COFFEE IN A GREAT LOCATION
Enjoy tempting pub-style snacks from The Minerva Bar & Grill which also offers local gins and spirits, beers and wines. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday we serve a selection of sharing platters, small plates, burgers and desserts.
A great spot for barista coffee, freshly made sandwiches, delicious cakes and a range of drinks. Our Café on the Park offers indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Oaklands Park and family friendly areas in our spacious foyer.
For more formal dining, a contemporary British prix fixe menu is available in our stylish restaurant, The Brasserie.
Open Monday to Friday from 10am and from 9am on Saturday so ParkRunners can stop by for much needed refreshment.
Open for matinees from 12pm and evening shows from 5pm. Also available for private functions.
Visit cft.org.uk/eat, call 01243 782219 or email dining@cft.org.uk for opening times, reservations, menus and more.
SING YER HEART OUT FOR THE LADS By Roy Williams