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.
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
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 26% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample: 125). How is this calculated?
Higher than 22% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 61% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £23,233,084 | £21,140,922 | £17,782,180 | £24,200,363 | £6,997,456 | 184 / 214 |
| 2024 | £17,473,688 | £17,642,185 | £14,929,796 | £22,108,201 | £4,459,483 | 173 / 85 |
| 2023 | £17,219,774 | £17,662,951 | £15,017,103 | £22,276,698 | £4,840,552 | 168 / 104 |
| 2022 | £11,162,261 | £12,274,766 | £10,386,663 | £22,719,875 | £10,896,242 | 147 / 33 |
| 2021 | £5,643,877 | £5,783,683 | £5,147,363 | £23,832,381 | £11,139,246 | 138 / 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.
How efficient is Chichester Festival Theatre?
Chichester Festival Theatre has a program ratio of 76.5%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 26% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample of 125 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
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
Oaklands Park
Chichester
PO19 6AP
Registry Information
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Sectors & Classifications
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated