Review by: Paul Towers, 14/10/20

 “At last some good news!”

 Curve has announced its reopening schedule to give us all some festive cheer thanks to the recent grant from the  government’s Culture Recovery Fund and the ongoing support from Arts Council England and Leicester City Council. Credit should also go to the management of Curve who have successfully steered Leicester’s flagship theatre through these unprecedented times.

The season will officially launch with a special, exclusive live-streamed event on 12 November.

From 23 Nov to 3 Dec The Color Purple will return to Curve in a concert production reimagined by the original  creative team of director Tinuke Craig, musical director Alan Parker and choreographer Mark Smith. Original cast members T’Shan Williams (Celie) and Danielle Flamanya (Nettie) will return. Other cast member will be announced when confirmed.

Christmas will see the return of Sunset Boulevard from 14 Dec to 3 Jan. Staged as a concert performance it will be directed by our own Nikolai Foster with original cast members Ria Jones and Danny Mac. There will also be a 16 piece orchestra.

Continuing into the New Year there is the return of Memoirs of an Asian Football Casual. Director Nikolai Foster will helm this story of local boy Riaz Khan’s life from 25 Jan to 6 Feb

All three shows are award winning productions and full castings will be announced in due course.

Continuing Curves very popular community led events there will be a socially distanced Family and Community Day on Sat 14 Nov which will include a selection of low cost and free workshops, performances and activities for all ages from Midlands artists and theatre companies. All events will be ticketed and MUST be booked in advance.

The reopening of Curve to the public has been made possible because of the unique design of Leicester’s award winning theatre. By raising the wall between the two theatre spaces (I bet you didn’t realise they could do that!) to create one huge space they can accommodate 533 seats in a socially distanced way. Add into this the incredibly generous donation by Sir Cameron Mackintosh of a triple revolve and Curve once again has a world beating performance space which will be the envy of  theatres everywhere.

To ensure the safety of both artists and audiences there will be a one way system in the building, additional cleaning and temperature checks before you are allowed to enter the building. Further information can be found on the website.

Tickets for all shows and events go on sale on Thursday 15 October for Friends of Curve, Mon 19^th October for Members and on General sale at noon on Weds 21 October.

Curve https://www.curveonline.co.uk/
http://ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk/