Shakespeare’s most famous comedy is set to close the Festival 2026 season at Chichester Festival Theatre with a distinctively local twist, transposing the action to the 1994 Sussex rave scene.
Opening on Friday 18 September, this new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream reimagines the classic conflict between the Athenian court and the forest fairies as a battle between the 1990s political establishment and the “Second Summer of Love” counter-culture.
A 1994 Chichester Setting
Co-directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Justin Audibert and Hannah Joss, the production is set specifically in Chichester and the surrounding South Downs during the summer of 1994. This period was marked by the introduction of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which famously targeted “repetitive beats” and unlicensed outdoor gatherings.
In this version, the character of Theseus is portrayed as a Conservative MP who has led a crackdown on free raves across the county. The “Mechanicals”—traditionally a group of amateur actors—are reimagined as members of the Young Conservatives, while the magical forest of the original play becomes a psychedelic rave landscape inhabited by Titania and Oberon.
Cast and Debut
The production marks the theatrical debut of popular comedian and social media creator Munya Chawawa, who will take on the role of Bottom. Joining the cast as Titania is Eve Ponsonby, who stepped into the role following the withdrawal of Jemima Rooper for personal reasons.
The full company, confirmed by Chichester Festival Theatre, will perform against a backdrop of 1990s-inspired music and visuals, bringing the social tensions of 30 years ago to the Oaklands Park stage.
Booking and Ticket Information
A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs from 18 September to 17 October 2026. A formal press night is scheduled for Friday 25 September.
Tickets for the production are priced from £10. To encourage younger theatre-goers, the venue is offering a limited number of £5 tickets for those aged 16 to 30 through its Prologue discount scheme.
Bookings can be made through the Chichester Festival Theatre box office on 01243 781312 or via the theatre’s official website.