The transformed Festival Theatre reopens after a £22 milion refurbishment, and the theatre's Artistic Director Jonathan Church and Executive Director Alan Finch have announced the Festival 2014 season.
The first production will be Peter Shaffer's Amadeus, directed by Jonathan Church with Rupert Everett as Salieri. A celebration of Shaffer's work will be at the heart of the season, which also features Black Comedy and host of special events.
Three world premières reveal undiscovered histories: Pitcairn by Richard Bean, Pressure by David Haig and Taken at Midnight by Mark Hayhurst.
There will be two new adaptations, of Strindberg's Miss Julie by Rebecca Lenkiewica and The Hundred and One Dalmations by Bryony Lavery.
Two major Broadway musicals also mark Festival Theatre reopening. Guys and Dolls will be directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Carlos Acosta, both making their Chichester debuts. Gypsy will be directed by Jonathan Kent and choregraphed by Stephen Mear with Imelda Staunton as Mama Rose, Lara Pulver as Louise and Kevin Whately as Herbie.
Other leading actors taking part in Festival 2014 include Lynda Baron, Rosalie Craig, Clare Foster, David Haig, Dervla Kirwan, Chris Larkin, Jamie Parker, Peter Polycarpou, Patricia Routledge, Malcolm Sinclair, Sophie Thompson, Zoe Wanamaker and Penelope Wilton.
The improvements to the Grade II listed building include a transformed auditorium, increased seating capacity of 1,300, more spacious foyer areas with new café bars and outdoor terraces aand improved and expanded artist facilities.