In the Autumn term we invited 150 school children from 5 schools across West Sussex to attend their first theatrical production. The performance of Life of Pi which contains world class puppetry and has won awards in the UK and USA, was performed in the Chichester Festival Theatre to sold out audiences. The production is based on the fantasy novel by Yann Martel, which won the Booker Prize in 2002, and tells the magical story of a young Indian, who finds himself shipwrecked and lost at sea in a large lifeboat with four wild animals, most notably Richard Parker, a Bengal Tiger.   We were also fortunate enough to have been able to support some schools with their transport costs.

Manor Green College

"Thank you again so much for a truly wonderful and memorable experience for our students. Most of the students we took had not been to a theatre production, aside from a Christmas pantomime. All of them were rapt with attention, they loved every minute of it." Manor Green Arts Lead 

"Wow, the beginnings of a beautiful friendship between man and animal, thanks to this shared moment". Student, Manor Green College

Riverbeach Primary School

‘It was the first time I had been to a theatre and I thought it was amazing how they made the animals look real. My favourite part was when the tiger was fighting Pi and the way Pi didn’t give up.’ Riverbeach Primary student

‘The puppets were amazing. The tiger had a person inside it to support the back. The monkey swinging on sticks (which were trees) was excellently done! The sounds of the animals were made by people operating them. My favourite part was when the tiger laid his head in Pi’s lap. It felt like I was there. It was magical.’ Riverbeach Primary student

‘It was the best experience I have ever had. We all gasped when the scenery opened up.’ Riverbeach Primary student

Chichester Festival Theatre

"Watching a child experience live theatre: seeing the magic come to life in their eyes & their imagination unfold, is one of the greatest pleasures there is. Every child deserves the chance watch, feel and experience live theatre as it can ignite a love for creativity, play and storytelling that can last a lifetime." Matt Hawksworth, Head of Children & Young People at Chichester Festival Theatre