Parkland to Performance is a volunteer curated exhibition that shows highlights from Chichester Festival Theatre’s archive.
The exhibition has evolved from an archive of 300 boxes, including over 2,000 folders and countless pieces of paper, into a collection of carefully chosen items presented in two sections; the Foundation archive and the Production archive.
A team of eight volunteers have been coming together since August 2014 to research, select, arrange and design this exhibition with the support of a range of heritage experts and museum professionals.
Exhibits include letters, photographs and costume designs as well as some unusual objects such as models, props and set pieces. Footage from the early 60s and oral histories collected throughout the project have also helped to bring some of these stories to life.
‘For visitors who haven’t been to the Festival Theatre before we hope that the exhibition will be an interesting introduction to the building’s extraordinary story. For regular visitors it is a chance to gain a greater insight into the backstage workings of the Theatre and productions they have seen.’ Sophie Shaw Heritage Activities Manager
The exhibition is free will tour venues in West Sussex and east Hampshire throughout 2015 and into 2016, including:
The Capitol, Horsham – 17 February to 21 March
The Spring, Havant – 4 April to 27 June
Midhurst Museum, Midhurst – 30 June – 2 August
The Minerva Foyer, Chichester Festival Theatre – 3 July – 5 September
Littlehampton Museum – 12 September to 16 October
