1.
GV TOWN CENTRE
0.04

2.
GV TILT DOWN CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
0.11

3.
LV EXT THE NEW THEATRE
0.15

4.
SLV EXT THE THEATRE
0.19

5.
INT SHOWING STAGE
0.27

6.
GTV PAN STAGE TO SEATS
0.38

7.
CV MAN AT LIGHTING CONSOLE PAN TO LV STAGE WITH LIGHTS LIGHTING UP
0.49

8.
MV LIGHTING CONSOLE
0.52

9.
GTV STAGE
0.57

10.
STAGE
1.01



Initials DR/V/JF/FW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE FESTIVAL THEATRE AT CHICHESTER, SUSSEX, U.K., IS NEARING COMPLETION, AND WILL BE OPENED ON JULY 3, WITH SIR LAURENCE OLIVIER AS ITS FIRST DIRECTOR. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS WERE SHOWN OVER THE BUILDING FOR THE FIRST TIME ON MAY 3.

STANDING IN 43 ACRES OF PARKLAND, THE BUILDING IS THE FIRST OPEN STAGE PLAN THEATRE OF ITS TYPE TO BE BUILT IN BRITAIN. PLANNED IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR SUMMER SEASONS, A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE AUDITORIUM IS CANTILEVERED OUT IN FRONT OF THE FOYER TO FORM A COVERED FORECOURT. THE FOYER HAS A WIDE AREA OF GLASS TO DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A GRADUAL TRANSITION FROM THE PARK OUTSIDE INTO THE BUILDING.

THE AUDITORIUM ITSELF IS CAPABLE OF SEATING 1,360. SEATS ARE ARRANGED AROUND THREE SIDES OF THE STAGE IN UNBROKEN RISING TIERS, FORMING AN INTIMATE LINK BETWEEN THE ACTORS AND AUDIENCE. NO MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE IS MORE THAN 66 FEET AWAY FROM THE STAGE.

THREE YEARS AGO, MR LESLIE EVERSHED-MARTIN, A LOCAL PROFESSIONAL MAN, SAW A TELEVISION INTERVIEW WITH SIR TYRONE GUTHRIE ABOUT HIS OPEN STAGE THEATRE AT STRATFORD, ONTARIO, CANADA. FROM THIS THE IDEA WAS BORN FOR THE THEATRE AT CHICHESTER - AN IDEA SOON TO BECOME A REALITY.