As part of the Priory Park 100 celebrations in September, Chichester Community Theatre will be performing, the world premier of The Hawkhurst Gang, a play specially written for the celebrations by local playwright, Greg Mosse.

According to the director, Roger Redfarn: “We have managed to cast some of the finest community actors for Greg’s play, which is set in and around Chichester in 1749, when a group of smugglers were tried and condemned for kidnap, torture and murder.

“We will be performing the play in the Guildhall in Priory Park, which at the time of the play was used as the Assizes and was where the smugglers’ trail actually took place. The smugglers were found guilty and executed in and around the City.

“This is the story of why, how and who with many references to off-stage violence, so the recommended audience age is 12-years and over.”

There will be four performances on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 September at 7.30pm and on Saturday 29 there will be two performances at 3pm and 7.30pm.

During the morning of Saturday 29 September at 11am at the Novium Museum, there will be a special performance of Cutlasses & Countraband devised by Roger Redfarn when the cast of ‘The Hawkhurst Gang’ in costume will perform readings and songs telling some of the extraordinary stories of smugglers yesterday and today.  Admission is free, but booking is essential.

The Box Office is now open and tickets for The Hawkhurst Gang are £12 and available from The Novium, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QH, or by calling 01243 816525 or visit www.thenovium.org/boxoffice

For more information about the Chichester Community Theatre visit www.chichestercommunitytheatre.org.uk