Comedian Munya Chawawa is to play Bottom in a production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Chichester Festival, set amidst the Sussex raves of the 1990s.
It will run from 18 September – 17 October.
Artistic Director Justin Audibert follows 2025’s Hamlet and his 2024 Festival Theatre production of Redlands, turning from the rock ‘n’ roll of the 1960s to 1990s raves for this new production, co-directed with Hannah Joss (Choir).
Kicking back against the rules imposed by their stuffy elders, four spirited young lovers take off to a forest thronged with mischievous creatures who march to a different beat.
But the king and queen of the fairies are at loggerheads, and psychedelic potions create startling transformations. For a bunch of budding actors, staging a play proves more of a headache than they bargained for. As traditional values go head to head with hedonism and freedom, amidst a whirl of conflicting desires, how will this madcap night of revels end?
Comedian and satirist Munya Chawawa makes his theatrical debut as Bottom. Jemima Rooper (The Norman Conquests CFT, One Man Two Guvnors, Geek Girl) plays Titania.
The set designer will be Joanna Scotcher, costume designer Ryan Dawson Laight, composer & sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, and casting director Matilda James CDG.
Tickets go on general sale on Thursday, February 26 here.
