Alex Jennings stars in Stephen Beresford’s funny and humane new play in Chichester Festival Theatre

The Southbury Child play overview

Triple Olivier Award-winner Alex Jennings returns to Chichester to lead the cast in Stephen Beresford’s funny new play – a deeply humane exploration of family, faith, tradition and tolerance in a rapidly changing world.

Sharp-witted, wilful and frequently drunk, vicar David Highland has kept a grip on his parish through a combination of disordered charm and high-handed determination. But when his conscience forces him to take a hard line with a parishioner who wants Disney balloons at a family funeral, he finds himself dangerously isolated from public opinion.

As his own family begins to fracture, David must face a future that threatens to extinguish not only his position in the town, but everything he stands for.

A co-production with The Bridge Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner – former director of the National Theatre.