Summer 2025

For the launch event of Chichester Festival’s newest space, I commissioned and directed a new play by Hannah Bates called dead low and curated an evening of theatre, music and comedy, including work by the Artist Development Programme and a new devised piece from Chichester Festival Youth Theatre. The event was hosted by the fabulous cabaret artiste Ada Campe and comedian Alistair Barrie.

Featured artists: Will Rendle, Man!fest, Ben Grant, Daisy Chapman, Connie Rees, Annalise Bradbury, Scarlette Guilfoyle, Tilly Groves and Jess Oyo.

dead low by Hannah Bates was performed by Samuel Armfield, Tom Simper and James Westphal.

Assistant Director Becca Chadder
Nest Venue Technician Sam Cole
Stage Manager Hannah Lipton
Nest Producer Daniel Hill

“A triumph. Dazzling” – West Sussex Gazette

“Endlessly inventive and beautiful to look at” – Chichester Observer

“A real joy … oodles of charm” – Susan Elkin

“Beautiful” – Portsmouth News

A new musical with an acting company of 72 young people, alongside 24 members of the Technical Youth Theatre, doing everything from helping to make costumes to ASMing and follow spotting.

A new version by Philip Wilson
with music by Jason Carr
Set Designer Simon Higlett
Costume Designer Abigail Caywood
Musical Director Audra Cramer
Lighting Designer Emma Chapman
Sound Designer Gregory Clarke
Choreographer Julia Cave
Puppet Designer Charlie Tymms
Puppet Director Steve Tiplady
Assistant Director Kate Potter
Voice Coach Marcia Carr
Intimacy Director Bethan Clark
Production Manager John Page
Costume Supervisor Loz Tait
Wigs Supervisor Natasha Pawluk
Props Supervisor Victoria Baylis
Company Stage Manager Robin Longley
Deputy Stage Manager Sharon Hobden
Assistant Stage Managers Jasmine Smith & Laura Hackett
Chaperones led Janette McAlpine and Boo Chapman
Producers George Waller and Nicky Wingfield
Production Photography Manuel Harlan
Rehearsal Photography Tim Hills

This Christmas, Jon will return to Chichester Festival Theatre to direct a new adaptation of Cinderella by Philip Wilson, with music by Jason Carr, and set and costume design by Simon Higlett and Abigail Caywood.

“this might be the night – for its sheer inventiveness and charm – that stands out above all else.” – Phil Hewitt, Chichester Observer

Designer Abigail Caywood
Composer & MD Michael Henry
Movement Director Julia Cave
Fight & Intimacy Director Bethan Clark
Voice Coach Marcia Carr
Band Leader/Vocal Captain Zoë West
Assistant Director Anastasia Alexandru
Band Zoë West, Luc Garner-Gibbons, Theo Bracey & Eleanor Mead
Stage Management Sally Garner Gibbons, Lou Bann & Harriet Saffin

“A blistering black comedy” – The Telegraph
“Laugh-out-loud funny” – The Reviews Hub
“A tightly wound, highly polished comedy [which] takes the play’s many peaks of hysterical emotion and brutal wit like a series of ski jumps … it’s bloody smart and bloody funny” – Evening Standard

Company Rosie Yadid, Ashley Margolis, Olivia Le Andersen and Charlie Beaven, with understudies Danny Becker and Ellie Sager

Designer Richard Kent
Lighting Designer Richard Howell
Sound Designer Adrienne Quartly
Fight Director Bret Yount
Voice & Accent Coach Salvatore Sorce
Singing Coach Louise Shephard
Assistant Director Kayla Martell Feldman
Lighting Associate Ryan Stafford
Original production directed by Michael Longhurst
Produced by Simon Friend, Gavin Kalin and Keren Misgav

Production Manager Gemma Brooks
Company Stage Manager Eric Lumsden
Deputy Stage Manager Lara Mattison

Bad Jews premiered at the Bath’s Ustinov Studio in 2013, transferring to London’s St James Theatre in 2014 and the Arts Theatre in 2015. The original company were Jenna Augen, Ilan Goodman, Joe Coen and Gina Bramhill.

In 2015-16 we did two UK tours and a run at the Haymarket with a second company of Ailsa Joy, Daniel Boyd, Jos Slovick and Antonia Kinlay, with Ilan Goodman returning as Liam for the Haymarket and subsequent tour.

“Jon Pashley’s approach is audacious … vital modern theatre” – Boyz
“Strong performances and bold ideas” – The Guardian
“Compelling … an emotionally complex piece” – Love London Love Culture

Company Sylvester Akinrolabu, Geoff Aymer, Marc Bosch, Buffy Davis, Jimmy Essex, Devesh Kishore and Aryana Ramkhalawon. Due to illness, Nicola Sloane took over from Buffy Davis.

A new play by Paul Harvard
Set and costume design Bettina John
Movement Director Gerrard Martin
Lighting Designer Tony Simpson
Sound Designer Rona Castrioti
Additional Casting Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG
Production Manager Jonathan Simpson
Press – Kate Morley PR
Producer James Quaife Productions
Rehearsal Photography Adam Stevens
Production Photography Bettina John

Rehearsed amid covid restrictions following the first lockdown, the second lockdown began on what should have been our first preview. Following an open dress rehearsal, work stopped until lockdown was lifted. We were lucky enough to re-rehearse and open, running into January and release a filmed version for streaming in March 2021.