This is an extract from super 8 film taken by founding members of the Theatre Society, Mr and Mrs Gibbons, showing key events from the Theatre’s founding and early years. This clip shows moments from Chichester Festival Theatre’s opening night including members of the audience arriving and interior shots of the foyer and auditorium.
Opening night, 5 July 1962, CFT digital archive
File Type: Video
Archive: Backstage footage, The Chances (1962)
This is an extract from super 8 film taken by founding members of the Theatre Society, Mr and Mrs Gibbons, showing key events from the Theatre’s founding and early years. This clip shows members of the cast of Chichester Festival Theatre’s first production The Chances getting ready in their dressing rooms alongside moments from a dress rehearsal.
CFT digital archive
Archive: Footage, Topping Out ceremony (1961)
This is an extract from super 8 film taken by founding members of the Theatre Society, Mr and Mrs Gibbons, showing key events from the Theatre’s founding and early years. This clip shows moments from Chichester Festival Theatre’s Topping Out ceremony – an event that marks the building reaching its highest point. This clip includes views of the Festival Theatre under construction and shots of Artistic Director, Laurence Olivier and the Theatre’s founder, Leslie Evershed-Martin giving speeches.
Topping Out Ceremony, 23 November 1961, CFT digital archive
Archive: Backstage footage, Gypsy (2014)
This clip from Gypsy features the number ‘Little Lamb’, sung by Lara Pulver. Though the action on-stage is minimal, backstage is a flurry of activity to prepare for a big scene change.
Here you can see different points of view from the front of the stage and backstage to show the strategic technical elements that go into a big musical production. The top right-hand screen shows the point of view of the Company Stage Manager.
CFT digital archive