Open Air Theatre at Chichester Cathedral | Twelfth Night with The Lord Chamberlain's Men

Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer, in their 21st year, for Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy, Twelfth Night.

With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, they present this joyous play as he first saw it – in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

“If music be the food of love play on!”

Orsino, Duke of Illyria, is desperately in love with Countess Olivia. But she, in mourning for her brother, has sworn off all men. Suddenly Viola, separated from her twin brother in a shipwreck and now disguised as a man, enters Orsino’s court as his servant and turns everyone’s world upside down. Sent to woo Olivia on Orsino’s behalf, Viola is stunned to find herself the object of Olivia’s affections and, as Olivia falls in love with Viola, so Viola falls in love with Orsino.

“O time, thou must untangle this, not I. It is too hard a knot for me to untie.”

Romantic confusion, mistaken identity, practical jokes and riotous disorder abounds in Shakespeare’s hilarious and lyrical romantic comedy about love, its many and glorious facets, and the mess it can make of us all.

“Nothing that is so, is so.”

Bring a chair and a picnic and prepare to be entertained and transported. Book early to avoid missing out!


  • Running time (approx) 2 hrs 10 min (including interval)
  • Doors: 6.00pm
  • Starts at 7.00pm
  • Adult £20.00 | Child (under 16) £10.00 + booking fees apply

More information

Can you help with my ticket?

Please note that Chichester Cathedral is not responsible for the Box Office for this event. For ticketing queries, please contact T: 0208 852 5761 or E: boxoffice@tlcm.co.uk

Venue information

Chichester Cathedral is located in the centre of Chichester, surrounded by lawns and minutes away from the award-winning Bishop’s Palace Gardens. The open air production will be performed on the South West Lawn, where the audience can indulge in a splendid close-up view of the 950 year old cathedral.

What to bring

Please bring your own low-backed seating. Picnics, sun hats, sun cream, sunglasses, raincoats and rain hats should all be considered!

Access

This venue is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. For information about carer’s tickets please click here>>

Getting here

There is no parking at this venue. Located in the heart of Chichester there are many options for nearby car parks and public transport.

Weather

Our performances continue in all but the very worst weather! On very rare occasions, it will not be possible for us to complete the performance, but we will never cancel a performance before the advertised start time.

Should the performance start and then be called off by the weather, no refund can be issued however if the weather is so bad that the performance cannot even begin, a full refund will be issued.

Please visit this WEATHER PAGE for more details.

Relaxed performances

We believe that all of our performances can be considered as relaxed. The lights don’t go down (until the sun sets!), the performances take place in the open air where there is plenty of space for audience members and all are welcome. We believe that theatre should be as accessible as possible and will be happy to talk to you about how we can make it accessible for you. If you have specific questions regarding your attendance at one of our performances please do not hesitate to get in contact with us so that we can help to welcome you. Contact details are here>>

Other information
  • The performance will be approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes long including an interval.
  • Patrons are required to bring a chair/blanket/something to sit on. Seating is NOT provided.
  • Only assistance dogs are permitted at this performance.