Approx 0.4 miles from the centre of Chichester

The Grade II listed Festival Theatre was designed by Philip Powell and John Hidalgo Moya and opened to the public in 1962. With 1206 seats, the Festival Theatre was the first modern theatre in this country to have an open 'thrust' stage. Based on the designs of Greek and Roman performance spaces, a 'thrust' stage is open to the audience on three sides, making the experience more intimate for both the performers and audience. 

With its 283 seats, the Minerva Theatre offers a smaller and more intimate space. Built in the 1980's the studio theatre is based on a thrust layout, making Chichester Festival Theatre the only theatre in the UK to have two thrust stages. The Minerva Theatre also contains bars, a restaurant and a café.