Chichester star Dame Patricia Routledge resting following a fall

Dame Patricia said she was “deeply disappointed not to be able to appear in conversation with Edward Seckerson at the wonderful Chichester Festival Theatre” on November 11 as part of the CFT’s Facing the Music series.

Janie Dee will be talking with Edward Seckerson instead

CFT spokeswoman Lucinda Morrison said: “Dame Patricia has suffered injury following a fall and has been advised to take a period of rest in order to speed recovery. We send her our best wishes and look forward to welcoming her back in the future.”

Dame Patricia, who is 91, has enjoyed a long and hugely successful association with Chichester Festival Theatre. Her roles on the main-house stage have included Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest and Lady Markby in An Ideal Husband. She first performed at the CFT as part of the 1969 season.

Dame Patricia, who has lived in Chichester for many years, is a proud supporter of the arts and young performers in particular. She is patron of the Festival of Chichester.

Festival of Chichester chairman Phil Hewitt said: “Dame Patricia has been a magnificent patron for us, always incredibly generous and supportive. We send her our warmest wishes for a speedy recovery.”

Dame Patricia’s slot at the CFT on November 11 will be filled by Janie Dee who will be in conversation with Edward Seckerson on the main-house stage.

Janie Dee was last seen at Chichester in My One and Only, which transferred to the West End, and A Month in the Country. She won an Olivier Award for her role in the National Theatre’s Carousel (in which she appeared with Patricia Routledge), as well Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential in the West End.

She regularly performs her own cabaret, and her most recent musical theatre appearances were in the acclaimed revivals of Follies at the National Theatre and The Boy Friend at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

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