New Theatre Productions, occupying their usual Chichester Festivities slot in the Garden's open-air Pergola Theatre, will be reviving Mortimer's A Voyage Round My Father on June 30, July 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12.

It will run in repertoire with Dandy Dick by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero on July 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

There won't be any Shakespeare this year, but the Bard - previously a staple in the company's programming - certainly isn't ruled out for the future.

Peter Breskal, New Theatre Productions co-chairman, said it was a question of providing a variety of plays, coupled with the fact that Shakespeare can be difficult to cast.

"Having said that, Voyage Around My Father is quite a big cast!"
The attraction of the piece, as Peter says, is that it lends itself ideally to open-air theatre, with no need for a big set.

"It's a warm and moving tribute to his family. There is a lot of humour in it and there are lot of good characters to get into. There really is something for everyone."

It will be directed by Tiffin Jones who has appeared with New Theatre Productions before but is now directing the company for the first time.
Alternating with the Mortimer will be Dandy Dick, directed by New Theatre Productions' founder and long-time artistic director John Hyatt.

"It's a popular but not very well-known play," Peter said. "The Dean is being played by Eddie Lintott - a part which was played by Alastair Sim when it was at Chichester Festival Theatre.

"It's great fun. It has got a horse-racing theme and is set in a cathedral city. It's pretty appropriate, I would reckon!"

For this year, the team at West Dean are going to use a raised stage which should improve the overall experience, but still with the beautiful background of the Gardens, Peter said.

As for the weather, it's a case of fingers crossed.
"Last year was mixed. It's the perennial problem. You just have to grit your teeth and get in with it. But generally we are lucky and the majority of nights the weather is good."

/blob/ The box office is on 01243 780192 or at the gate at the main entrance at West Dean on the night.

A Voyage Round My Father directed by Tiffin Jones features Roger Menhenett, Paul Bennett, Chrissie Horgan, Geoff Goble, Derek
Tansill,Owen Everson, Andy Horner, Sue Field, Gill Montgomery, Caroline Vagg,Barbara McWhirter, Anna Breskal, Megan Gent, Sam O'Hanlon and Olly Geering.

Dandy Dick directed by John Hyatt features Eddie Lintott, Mike Smart,Linda Hull, Peter Hall, Jonathan Dodd, Matt Mayell, Rosie Hull, Lizzie Harling, David Rosser, Peter Breskal and Marian Mountain.