New Theatre Productions members past and present gathered at the weekend to remember their founder John Hyatt. An afternoon celebration at West Dean Gardens honoured a remarkable man of the theatre.
The company return to West Dean Gardens for the Festival of Chichester in their usual summer spot, promising a double bill of comedy.
But amongst the laughs – and there will be plenty of them – there will also be a certain poignancy this year. This is the first summer without John, the distinctive, inspiring, characterful founder of the company. John died last autumn at the age of 87.
The productions, as always, are in the The Pergola Open Air Theatre, West Dean Gardens: Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett offers farcical fun (contains adult humour) alternating with Outside Edge, the cricketing comedy by Richard Harris. Tickets allow entry to West Dean Gardens from 5.30pm, and picnics are welcome. Habeas Corpus: June 24, 28, 30, July 6 and July 8; Outside Edge: June 27, 29, July 1, 5, and 7. Go to the theatre entrance for seat allocation on arrival. Picnics welcome or you can order a summer picnic in advance from West Dean on 01243 818215.
