Minerva Theatre, Chichester

The Minerva Theatre is a small studio space in Chichester, England. It seats 310 people and sits next to the larger Chichester Festival Theatre. The building opened in April 1989 under the leadership of Sam Mendes as its first artistic director. Justin Audibert now leads the theatre. The theatre’s name comes from the Roman goddess Minerva. The Minerva has hosted productions for the University of Chichester’s Musical Theatre Degree programme. In November 2009 it presented a week-long run of Oh, What a Lovely War! The show received strong reviews. Garth Bardsley directed the production, with Julian Kelly arranging the music. Inside, the theatre has a simple, intimate stage surrounded by seating on three sides. The space feels close to the action, making every performance feel immediate. Outside, the building sits in a quiet part of Chichester near the festival theatre. The area is easy to reach and has cafes and shops nearby.