Abuse at Chichester Festival Theatre prompts council action

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 13:41 · Archive

Chichester community leaders are seeking a meeting with the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner after racist and homophobic abuse targeted actors at the Festival Theatre.

Chichester community leaders have asked to meet with the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner to discuss recent racist and homophobic abuse aimed at actors from the Festival Theatre. In October, a performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream was cancelled following an assault on a cast member. Comedian and satirist Munya Chawawa, who played the character of Bottom, reported racism, xenophobia and homophobia witnessed during his time performing in Chichester.

During a district council meeting on Tuesday 3 November, council leader Adrian Moss said he had written to Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne asking for a meeting. He will be joined by MP Jess Brown-Fuller, community leaders and representatives from the Festival Theatre. Moss said: 'There is also a meeting taking place later this week where community leaders will be coming together to look at how we take this forward and how we support those that have been attacked.'

Moss added that the council wants to ensure 'Chichester continues to be, on the whole, a welcoming place for everybody'. Bourne said she was 'concerned to hear about the appalling abuse experienced by Mr Chawawa in Chichester city centre' and confirmed that the Neighbourhood Policing Team are investigating the incident and working to identify those responsible. She stated: 'If we want our high streets and our world-renowned cultural sites to thrive, we must make them safe and welcoming for everybody.'

How it is being reported

• Council condemns racist and homophobic attacks on actors in cityChichester community leaders have asked to meet with the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner to discuss recent racist and homophobic abuse aimed at actors from the Festival Theatre.The Argus · 5 Nov, 13:08
• Racist and homophobic abuse aimed at actors condemned by Chichester District CouncilChichester community leaders have asked to meet with the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner to discuss recent racist and homophobic abuse aimed at actors from the Festival Theatre.Sussex Express · 4 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Chichester District Council · Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner · Chichester Festival Theatre · Munya Chawawa · Chichester

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