Chichester

Great news! Gypsy is back! This time the show will be playing as part of the prestigious Chichester Festival and will run for a month at the Festival Theatre.

Imelda Staunton

Imelda Staunton will star as Mamma Rose in Gypsy the Musical at the Chichester Festival Theatre

Gypsy has been hotly rumoured to make a comeback at the Chichester Festival with Imelda Staunton at its helm… and guess what, the rumours were correct!

This production of  Arthur Laurents’ and Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy will be directed by veteran Sondheim director, Jonathan Kent, who presented the Sweeney Todd at the festival in 2011, also starring Staunton.

Staunton will, as predicted, fulfil the character of Mama Rose, the leading lady of the show. Imelda won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her previous work with a Sondheim musical as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd.

Lara Pulver will also return to Chichester in Gypsy, following her critically acclaimed performance in Uncle Vanya in 2012. Pulva will fulfil the role of Louise, Mama Rose’s daughter. Acting alongside Pulver and Staunton will be Kevin Whately, who makes his Chichester debut in the role of Herbie.

Gypsy will run at the Festival Theatre between the 6th October to the 8th November 2014. Tickets can be purchased from the official Chichester Festival website: http://www.cft.org.uk/

Gypsy Chichester Reviews

Following the show’s official press night on the 15th October 2014, Chichester Festival Theatre’s Gypsy received rave critics reviews. Below are just a small selection of the many 5 star reviews the show received!

the-guardian-110x80star-rating-5.0“The specific joy of this production is that it reunites Imelda Staunton with Jonathan Kent, who directed her so memorably in Sweeney Todd; and the first thing to say about Staunton’s Momma Rose is that it is a superb piece of acting.” Michael Billington – The GUARDIAN 

daily-telegraph-110x80star-rating-5.0“Staunton takes everything in her stride: the full-throttle showstoppers (“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” included), the whip-crack humour and the growing sense of isolation as she faces the blind-alley nature of ambition and pushy parenting. She bathes the character in charm even as her eyes glint in steely-minded opportunism. It’s her night, but there’s fantastic work across the board.” Dominic Cavendish – The TELEGRAPH

the-stage-110x80star-rating-5.0 “Jonathan Kent tackles the work with equal style and respect. Anthony Ward’s settings celebrate the seedy glamour of a third-rate vaudeville tour, while Stephen Mear’s choreography is a joy, particularly Dan Burton’s moment in the spotlight as Tulsa for All I Need is the Girl.” Paul Vale – The STAGE

Gypsy has not been seen on the West End in over 30 years. The question on everyone’s lips is, like Sweeney Todd in 2011, will this production find it’s way back to London?

1 thought on “Chichester

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *