ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Chichester Festival Theatre Cancels A Midsummer Night's Dream After Cast Member Attacked

other · 2026-10-15

Chichester Festival Theatre cancelled its Tuesday 13 October evening performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream after a cast member was aggressively hounded and physically pursued through central Chichester earlier that day. The venue said the victim, company and staff were extremely shaken, prompting the cancellation. Artistic director Justin Audibert informed the audience, and the box office will arrange return visits or refunds. Police are handling the matter, so no further details were released. The cast member was not physically injured, and performances resume today through the run's end on Saturday. The theatre expressed profound sadness and dismay, pledged support for the actor and companies, and thanked the audience for its sympathy and understanding. The production is from the writers of Spring Awakening.

Key facts

  • Chichester Festival Theatre cancelled a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Tuesday 13 October.
  • A cast member was aggressively hounded and physically pursued through central Chichester in the early evening before the show.
  • Artistic director Justin Audibert announced the cancellation to the audience.
  • The box office will contact ticket holders to arrange return visits or refunds.
  • Police are handling the incident, so the theatre cannot provide further details.
  • The cast member was not physically injured.
  • Performances resume today and continue until the run ends on Saturday.
  • The theatre said it will support the affected actor and its companies now and in the future.

Entities

Artists

  • Justin Audibert

Institutions

  • Chichester Festival Theatre
  • WhatsOnStage

Locations

  • Chichester
  • United Kingdom

Sources