Gypsy, Guys & Dolls and A Damsel in Distress musicals planned for Chichester

Chichester artistic director Jonathan Church has revealed at today's press briefing for the new season that three major musicals are currently in development

He confirmed the rumour Sweeney Todd star Imelda Staunton returning to Chichester to star in Gypsy directed  by Jonathan Kent. Dates are still being worked on but the show could be one of the first to be staged in the Festival Theatre when it reopens next year.

Other planned musicals  for the future are a new revival of Guys and Dolls and a collaboration between American choreographer/director Rob Ashford and director/composer  Jeremy Sams on new stage version of the 1937 comedy film A Damsel in Distress which starred Fred Astaire with songs by George and Ira Gershwin and a book by PG Wodehouse.