Chichester Festival Director Resigns Amidst
Date: 21 November 1997
Duncan Weldon, director of the Chichester Festival Theatre offered his resignation this week, according to The Stage newspaper. The move follows the suspension of theatre administrator David Bownes and the end of a disastrous summer season. Despite the pull of big name film stars such as Kathleen Turner, Julie Christie and Lesley Caron, the West Sussex theatre only maintained half-empty houses and has now reached a deficit of £600,000. In response, Weldon suggested closing the theatre for the winter months, cutting next year's summer season from 30 to 20 weeks and seeking public subsidy for the first time in its 37-year history. Three board members have since resigned and backers have announced a separate £200k rescue package, without Weldon's consultation.
Related Content
