Music, performance and comedy this winter at Chichester Festival Theatre

Music, performance and comedy run right through the newly-announced Chichester Festival Theatre winter season.

Among the shows coming up:

• Judi Dench: Is it too late to make a run for it? October 28, Festival Theatre. Dame Judi Dench joins her friend and writing partner Brendan O’Hea in conversation about her extraordinary new memoir. At turns deeply touching and riotously funny, this evening will show Judi at her inimitable best: telling the stories of a lifetime spent as one of the world’s best-loved performers.

• Liza Pulman & Joe Stilgoe: Hooray for Hollywood, October 29, Festival Theatre. The duo return with their hit new show, weaving a century of movie-musical songs to life, once again in their own unique fashion, in an evening of laughter, romance and joy.

• Stitches Comedy Club present Sara Pascoe, Zoe Lyons and Stephen K Amos, October 30, Festival Theatre. Three household-name comedians come to CFT for a one-off night of hilarity, introduced by award-winning comedian and compere James Alderson. For ages 16+

• The Archers: Live at 75, October 31, Festival Theatre. Hosted by comedian and superfan Angela Barnes and set at the beloved Ambridge Flower & Produce Show, The Archers steps onto the stage with Timothy Bentinck (David Archer), Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter), Ben Norris (Ben Archer) and Annabelle Dowler (Kirsty Miller).

• Juliet & Romeo, November 5-7, Minerva Theatre. It turns out Juliet & Romeo didn’t die in a tragic misunderstanding; they grew up and lived happily ever after. Well, they lived at least. With Lost Dog’s blend of dance, theatre and comedy, this duet, directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ben Duke, takes on our cultural obsession with youth and our inevitable issues with longevity. For ages 13+

• Mitch Benn: The Lehrer Effect, November 23, Minerva Theatre. Mitch Benn looks at the legacy of elusive American comic songwriting legend Tom Lehrer, the creative debt that he – and all who mix humour and melody – owe to him, and performs some of his own more Lehreresque songs. Expect a few Mitch Benn-ified covers of Tom’s most famous creations as well.

• Mark Thomas: 40 in Stand-Up Years, November 24, Minerva Theatre. Mark Thomas celebrates 40 years at the mic. In that time he has changed laws on tax, jailed arms dealers, kickstarted a comedy circuit in Palestine, given evidence before three Parliamentary select committees and taken the police to court three times and won. Expect a taster menu of mayhem, jokes and rants. For ages 16+

• Burt Bacharach: His life story in music and theatre, November 25 & 26, Minerva Theatre. Composer, songwriter, record producer and pianist Burt Bacharach is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music. His life is revealed as his four wives gather at the Brill Building at the behest of Hal David to share memories of Burt. Written and directed by Mike Carey, featuring an 11-piece ensemble.

• Zoe Rahman: Hull Suite Live, November 27, Minerva Theatre. Zoe Rahman and her world-class jazz trio present their new album Hull Suite Live. Based on themes of voyage, migration and the sea, expect earthy blues influences, soulful melodies and cinematic musical textures.

• I Musicanti, January 9, Minerva Theatre. Founded and directed by double bassist Leon Bosch, I Musicanti is a mixed instrument chamber ensemble bringing together many of Britain’s leading musicians, renowned soloists and principal orchestral players. Soloist Jack Liebeck joins the quintet to perform pieces by Mozart, Farrenc and Beethoven.

• Yippee Ki Yay / Top Gunchained, January 11-16, Minerva Theatre. Director and performer Richard Marsh with Yippee Ki Yay and Top Gunchained – his joyfully funny, unauthorised parody celebrations of favourite films Die Hard and Top Gun. Essential viewing for superfans and newcomers alike.

• Fascinating Aïda: Bawdacious! January 14, Festival Theatre. Dillie, Liza and Adèle, with Michael Roulston on piano, are back. With brand -ew songs generated by human neural networks and using their combined deep‑learning age of 278 years, they have data-mined their back catalogue to bring audiences their “greatest, most sensationally analogue show ever.”

• Tarantara! A Gala Celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan, January 15, Festival Theatre. Featuring favourites from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, these gala concert performances from Tarantara’s 34-piece orchestra and eight renowned soloists will be a celebration of all that’s best in G&S’s extraordinary operas.

• Sir Derek Jacobi in conversation with Richard Clifford, January 16 at 2.30pm, Festival Theatre. Sir Derek Jacobi has BAFTA, Olivier, Emmy, Screen Guild and Tony Awards. With his partner, actor and director Richard Clifford in the driving seat, there will be insight into his life and work, with the joy of Shakespeare and so much more.

• Friday Night Is Music Night: BBC Concert Orchestra, January 28, Festival Theatre. Join the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Tess Jackson for the BBC’s long-running radio show, including Percy Grainger’s Shepherd’s Hey, Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte, Ruth Gipps’ Knight in Armour and Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with trumpeter Kate Moore.

• The BBC Big Band and Claire Martin: The Art of Swing, January 29, Festival Theatre. The BBC Big Band are joined by multi-award winning vocalist Claire Martin and conductor Barry Forgie for a celebration including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee, plus classics from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman.

• The Magic Flute, January 30 & 31, Minerva Theatre. A dance-theatre adaptation of Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, adapted and directed by Luca Silvestrini. Join the fun-loving Papageno and Prince Tamino as they journey through a magical world. Brought to life through Protein’s playful mix of dance, storytelling, singing and visuals.

• The Lion Inside, February 16-21, Minerva Theatre, ages 3+, daytimes. Based on the book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field, adapted & directed by Sarah Punshon with music & Lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer, The Lion Inside is a heart-warming tale about confidence, self-esteem and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar.

• Who Let the Gods Out? February 24-28, Minerva Theatre, ages 7+, daytimes. With book and lyrics by bestselling author Maz Evans and music by Luke Bateman, this first adventure in the Who Let The Gods Out? series is brought to life in a brand-new stage musical. Elliot needs to save the world – and save his mum. Enter some epic Greek Gods with a few tricks up their togas…

• Nerina Pallot: Fire Escape Symphonies, March 12, Minerva Theatre. Following her Royal Albert Hall performance celebrating 25 years of music, Brit and Ivor Novello nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot performs solo, armed only with her songs, stories, piano and guitar: a rare opportunity to experience her music in its most direct and personal form.

• Priority booking for Champions and Friends of Chichester Festival Theatre opens: Saturday, September 5 from 9am (online and by booking form only); Tuesday, September 8 from 10am (phone and in person) Groups and schools booking opens: Thursday, September 10 from 9am

Public booking opens: Saturday, September 12 from 9am (online only); Tuesday, September 15 from 10am (phone and in person)

Box office 01243 781312; online cft.org.uk