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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.

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
£23,233,084
Latest Expenditure
£21,140,922

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 76.5%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 84.1%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 2.8%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £3,291,112
Charitable Activities £14,592,729
Other Trading £3,115,771
Investments £273,738
Other Income £1,959,734

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £17,782,180
Raising Funds £475,214
Governance £119,576
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £2,883,528

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
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
2021
£5,643,877
£5,783,683£5,147,363£23,832,381£11,139,246138 / 35

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 2025?

Chichester Festival Theatre reported total income of £23.23m and reported expenditure of £21.14m for the financial year ending 2025, 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

Address
Chichester Festival Theatre
Oaklands Park
Chichester
PO19 6AP
Registration Date
24 September 2001
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
3983195
Charity Number
1088552

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Trustees

Anne McMeehan Roberts
Also governs 1 other charity
CAROLINE DENISE NEWLING
Daniel William Matthew Humby
Jessica Sian Louise Brown-Fuller
Jordi Michael Carter
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
30 July 2026
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