Chichester Festival Theatre announces A Midsummer Night’s Dream cast joining Munya Chawawa

Chichester Festival Theatre has announced the full company joining Munya Chawawa in its 2026 Festival finale, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, co-directed by Justin Audibert and Hannah Joss.

The production runs from 18 September to 17 October 2026, with a press night on Friday 25 September.

Set in 1994 Chichester, the production transposes Shakespeare’s comedy to 1990s Sussex, where Tory MP Theseus is celebrating his success in shutting down free raves across the county, supported by local Chief Constable Egeus. Meanwhile, four young lovers escape the restrictions placed upon them and head to the South Downs…

Joining comedian and satirist Munya Chawawa as Bottom are Eve Ponsonby as Titania (replacing the previously announced Jemima Rooper) and David Sturzaker as Oberon. The company also includes Charlie Beck as Snug / Mustardseed, Shane David Joseph as Puck, Celeste Dodwell as Hippolyta, Henry Everett as Egeus, Tom Kanji as Theseus, Ellie Larkin as Lysanda, Afi Okaidja as Snout / Peaseblossom, Freya Parks as Helena, Gavin Rasmussen as The Changeling / Philostrate, Angela Sant’Albano as Hermia, Anna Soden as Starveling / Moth, Giles Taylor as Peter Quince, Kieran Taylor Ford as Demetrius, and Kishore Walker as Flute / Cobweb.

The Ravers are Adhish Arul, Scarlette Guilfoyle, Mariana Fonseca, Hattie Musgrove, Jaz Reynolds, Cache Thake, Phoebe Tyler and Riley Woodford.

The creative team includes set designer Joanna Scotcher, costume designer Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting designer Elliot Griggs, composer and sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, video designer Ian William Galloway, movement director Jade Hackett and casting director Matilda James.