The Inquiry By Harry Davies
Justin Audibert and Kathy Bourne Photograph by Peter Flude
Festival 2023 Welcome to the third world premiere, and last production, of Festival 2023: Harry Davies’s The Inquiry. The fact that tickets flew out the door from the moment they went on sale in March – so much so that we were pleased to be able to add an extra week of performances to satisfy demand – is ample evidence of our audiences’ appetite for new plays, and political dramas in particular. So we are delighted that Harry chose to open his new – and, indeed, first – play in Chichester. As he explains in his Q&A with director Joanna Bowman in this programme, while his work as an investigative reporter at The Guardian has shaped the drama, it is Harry’s theatre background which has birthed this grippingly pertinent exploration of the corridors of power. Joanna makes a hugely welcome return to the Minerva following her staging of Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads last year. We’re also
privileged to see the return of distinguished actors Deborah Findlay, who last appeared at Chichester in 2009’s Separate Tables, and Malcolm Sinclair, well known to audiences here for productions including This House and Pressure; and to welcome John Heffernan who makes his Chichester debut after many leading roles for the National Theatre and in the West End. They head a superb company, and we wish them all a very enjoyable run. Soon, our Winter season will be in full swing with a packed programme of classic dramas, sparkling comedies and family entertainment. And with Christmas coming ever closer, don’t forget to check out our stockingful of fabulously festive offerings for the whole family. A big thank you for your support throughout Festival 2023; we hope you enjoy today’s performance and to see you again in the near future.
Justin Audibert Artistic Director
Kathy Bourne Executive Director
A Voyage Round My Father By John Mortimer
Festival Theatre 7 – 11 November Tickets from £10 Book at cft.org.uk
Rupert Everett and Julian Wadham star in John Mortimer’s celebrated autobiographical play about the delicate relationship between a young man and his father, a brilliant and eccentric barrister, directed by Richard Eyre.
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‘Breath-taking. Roar it out: this is a hit’ Sunday Times
Life of Pi Adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti from the novel by Yann Martel
Festival Theatre 16 November – 2 December Tickets from £10 Book at cft.org.uk
Winner of five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards, this five-star ‘theatrical phenomenon’ (Telegraph), directed by Max Webster, is the hugely popular story of an epic journey of endurance and hope. Ages 8+
Asphaleia Asphaleia is an organisation located in Worthing which offers young people a place of safety, supporting and encouraging those that need their services. CFT has been working in partnership with Asphaleia since 2018, delivering weekly sessions for young unaccompanied asylum seekers based in West Sussex. Recently, Poppy Marples and Jess Smith, our experienced theatre practitioners, have led a programme of dynamic, creative and nurturing workshops with these inspiring young people. Focusing on wellbeing and arts skills such as puppetry and physical theatre, the workshops also support the young people in learning English. These sessions enable them to make friends, develop confidence
socially, and build skills. We currently work with 24 young people who are also completing a Bronze Arts Award. ‘The sessions with Asphaleia are always full of lots of laughter and provide a safe space for the young people to develop their skills. When I look back to our first session with this year’s cohort compared to now, the difference in their confidence, social and language skills is just incredible. I’m so proud of them all and it’s been a joy and privilege to work with them this year.’ Poppy Marples, Lead Practitioner
In July we welcomed 17 of the Asphaleia group – including unaccompanied young people from Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia – for a fun-packed day at CFT. Starting with a backstage tour, they enjoyed a certificate of achievement presentation and games on the park before watching a matinee of The Sound of Music. For almost all the participants it was their first time in a theatre.
In the young people’s own words: ‘I will never forget this day. It will be in my mind for ever.’ ‘Drama has helped me learning English, respecting each other and feeling strong in my mind.’ ‘Sometimes I am angry because I miss my family, Poppy asks how I feel and talking helps, drama makes me feel better.’ ‘I am proud we have learnt all together and enjoyed no matter what country.’
Discover new foodie experiences Christmas food & drink
Dine with friends
In the Minerva Bar, we’re changing it up with truly scrumptious Afternoon Teas and in The Brasserie a new family friendly bistro style menu, bursting with local ingredients and epic desserts. Children can enjoy half portions of firm family favourites like posh fish & chips, burgers and, of course, turkey with all the trimmings. Yum!
If you’re looking for a great spot to dine with your theatre pals, look no further than The Brasserie. Fantastic food featuring local, seasonal ingredients plus à la carte options, top notch service and excellent wine. It also happens to be the closest restaurant to the Theatre so there’s no need to rush to catch the overture.
In the Café on the Park we’ll have mince pies, and we can’t wait for the smell of mulled apple juice from The Bar (extra shots of festive cheer available!).
Like some more? Pop in for pizza, cracking cakes and barista coffee from the Café on the Park, where you'll also find free WiFi and family-friendly books, toys and beanbags.
For the full menu of food and drink, visit cft.org.uk/eat, email dining@cft.org.uk or call 01243 782219.
The Inquiry By Harry Davies
Robert Maxwell, April 991 Photo: David Fowler/Shutterstock
Blame Robert Maxwell Frederick Wilmot-Smith on the history of public inquiries
Public inquiriesare an ancient institution. Edward I’s Statute de Officio Coronatoris of 1276, which codified already longstanding law, obliged coroners to ‘go to the place where any be slain or suddenly dead’ to investigate. But coroners’ inquiries rarely deal with matters of general public concern. The idea of holding an inquiry in response to a public scandal is comparatively recent. Until well into the 20th century, such matters were left to parliamentary select committees, which were, inevitably, subject to political influence. In 1912, the Marconi Company won a government contract to build wireless telegraph stations across the British Empire. There were widespread allegations of corruption in the tendering process, and a select committee was appointed to investigate. The (Liberal) majority absolved the (Liberal) government of responsibility; a Conservative minority declared the government guilty of gross impropriety. It was clear that a more independent process was needed. When, in 1921, there were allegations that officials in the Ministry of Munitions had destroyed documents relating to procurement contracts, Parliament legislated for
a system of public inquiries. There have since been inquiries into a wide range of matters of public interest, from the Aberfan disaster to the death of David Kelly, Profumo to tabloid phone hacking.
The Bloody Sunday inquiry took 12 years to investigate the events of one day. On 15 June 2009, Gordon Brown announced an inquiry into the Iraq War – to investigate, as Sir John Chilcot, the inquiry’s chairman, put it, ‘the UK’s involvement in Iraq, including the way decisions were made and actions taken, to establish, as accurately as possible, what happened and to identify the lessons that can be learned’. Although oral hearings finished in early 2011, the inquiry wasn’t published until July 2016. Part of the reason was that the scope was vast. Chilcot was asked to investigate nine years of sensitive foreign policy; he took nearly seven years to do it. (The Bloody Sunday inquiry took 12 years to investigate the events of one day.)