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Chichester Festival Theatre

With its two auditoria, together offering some 1,600 seats, Chichester Festival Theatre is the major publicly funded theatre resource in the South East of England. It aims to balance a repertory of diverse and challenging productions and a socially inclusive educational policy with high attendances from a wide geographic and demographic spread.

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Activities & Mission

With its two auditoria, together offering some 1,600 seats, Chichester Festival Theatre is the major publicly funded theatre resource in the South East of England. It aims to balance a repertory of diverse and challenging productions and a socially inclusive educational policy with high attendances from a wide geographic and demographic spread.

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Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Local Authority

Financial Information

Latest Income
£20,204,168
Latest Expenditure
£21,823,920

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 90.2%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 83.5%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 3.0%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £2,313,392
Charitable Activities £12,504,666
Other Trading £3,139,932
Investments £257,911
Other Income £1,988,267

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £18,220,137
Raising Funds £546,329
Governance £101,516
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £3,057,454

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2026.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2026
£20,204,168
£21,823,920£18,220,137£22,580,611£6,368,219187 / 149
2025
£23,233,084
£21,140,922£17,782,180£24,200,363£6,997,456184 / 214
2024
£17,473,688
£17,642,185£14,929,796£22,108,201£4,459,483173 / 85
2023
£17,219,774
£17,662,951£15,017,103£22,276,698£4,840,552168 / 104
2022
£11,162,261
£12,274,766£10,386,663£22,719,875£10,896,242147 / 33

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Chichester Festival Theatre

What does Chichester Festival Theatre do?

With its two auditoria, together offering some 1,600 seats, Chichester Festival Theatre is the major publicly funded theatre resource in the South East of England. It aims to balance a repertory of diverse and challenging productions and a socially inclusive educational policy with high attendances from a wide geographic and demographic spread.

How much income did Chichester Festival Theatre report in 2026?

Chichester Festival Theatre reported total income of £20.20m and reported expenditure of £21.82m for the financial year ending 2026, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was Chichester Festival Theatre registered as a charity?

Chichester Festival Theatre was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 24 September 2001 as charity number 1088552. It has been registered for 25 years.

Who runs Chichester Festival Theatre?

Chichester Festival Theatre is governed by a board of 13 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Chichester Festival Theatre operate?

Chichester Festival Theatre operates in West Sussex, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Chichester Festival Theatre a registered charity?

Yes — Chichester Festival Theatre is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1088552.

Details

Contact (address, email, phone)
Registration Date
24 September 2001
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
3983195
Charity Number
1088552

Trustees

Aled David Anthony Hanson
Anne McMeehan Roberts
Also governs 1 other charity
CAROLINE DENISE NEWLING
Daniel William Matthew Humby
Jessica Sian Louise Brown-Fuller
MARK FOSTER
Also governs 1 other charity
Natasha Gladman
Nitin Pasricha
Also governs 1 other charity
Patrick George Dillon
Philip Anthony Shepherd
Stephanie Street
Victoria Illingworth

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
9 November 2026
Report a data issue