Somerset Maugham's social satire The Circle previews at Chichester Festival Theatre from, July 22.
Susan Hampshire returns to Chichester to play Lady Catherine Champion-Cheney (Lady Kitty) after playing the part of Elizabeth in Chichester Festival Theatre's 1976 production of the play.
Dorset, 1921: thirty years ago, Lady Kitty abandoned her hu
sband and young son to run away with politician Lord Porteous. Kitty returns from exile in Italy, worn down by age but clinging to her glamorous past. At the family reunion, she discovers that her daughter-in-law Elizabeth is tempted to embark on an affair leaving Kitty, as events turn full circle, to decide whether or not to encourage the elopement.
In his third season as artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre Jonathan Church will direct this production. Church previously directed Hobson's Choice in Festival 07 and Howard Brenton and David Hare's Pravda for Festival 06. He also co-directed the two-part epic hit Nicholas Nickleby, which toured nationally before transferring to the West End and Canada.
Susan Hampshire plays Lady Kitty. Her theatre credits include The King and I, Relative Values and Lady in the Van.
The Circle plays in repertoire with The Music Man at Chichester Festival Theatre July 22 to August 29. Tickets priced £11 - £33 are available online at www.cft.org.uk or from the box office on 01243 781312.
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