Sylvia
Educating Rita
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Daisy and the Trouble with Christmas
Savage
What Would You Like to See?
Full casting announced and run extended for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
We are pleased to announce full casting for our Made at Curve Christmas musical, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, as well as an extension to the initial run dates due to high demand.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY will now run at Curve from Saturday 21 November to Saturday 16 January 2027.
Leicestershire actor Jonny Fines will be playing the eccentric and mysterious Willy Wonka, returning to Curve after appearing in previous Made at Curve productions of THE WIZARD OF OZ, MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN and GREASE.
For the full casting and further details, click below.
Casting Announced for EDUCATING RITA
We’re delighted to announce the full cast of our Made at Curve production EDUCATING RITA, playing exclusively at Curve this autumn.
Playing the bright-eyed twenty something Rita is Alexandra Mardell (CORONATION STREET, SMOGGIE QUEENS) and completing the duo as disillusioned University Lecturer Frank, is Dominic Mafham (VIGIL, KILLING EVE).
Directed by Cara Nolan (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, PRIDE & PREJUDICE), this brand-new revival of Willy Russell’s hilarious play is set to bring this extraordinary journey of self-discovery to the stage.
Click below to read the full announcement.
Listen to the latest episode of our Curve in Conversation podcast now
Step inside rehearsals – if you dare! – of our world premiere Made at Curve production of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS in our latest episode of Curve in Conversation.
Find out more below and listen wherever you find your podcasts now.
Curve partners with Frantic Assembly on Ignition 2026
We are delighted to be a partner venue for Frantic Assembly’s Ignition, their free, nationwide talent development programme for people aged 16 – 24, with little or no previous experience of the arts.
Working with 13 regional partners, Ignition sets out to find people with the potential to work in the Arts, opening doors and making them feel their presence is welcome.
They will hosting trials at venues across the UK throughout September and October, including here at Curve, and sign-ups are now open! Click the link below to apply.
Watch EDUCATING RITA Director Cara Nolan explain the show in one minute
Join us this Autumn for our new Made at Curve production of the Olivier Award-winning Best Comedy, EDUCATING RITA!
Not familiar with Willy Russell’s comic-drama? Spend a minute with director Cara Nolan (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, PRIDE & PREJUDICE) as she explains the story and what to expect from our revival production this September.
Full casting announced for SYLVIA The Musical
Full casting for SYLVIA has today been announced, as it embarks on a UK tour this Autumn, opening at Curve 24 September – 4 October.
Starring alongside Beverley Knight as Emmeline Pankhurst will be Naomi Katiyo as Sylvia Pankhurst.
Click below to read the full announcement and full casting.
Neighbour-hubs Writers Showcase
Over the past six months, four aspiring playwrights from Leicester have been working with Curve’s Associate Director, Cara Nolan, as part of the Neighbour-hubs Writers Scheme, and we are now delighted to showcase their new work as rehearsed readings at Curve.
The project set out to discover and support new playwrights from the city wards of Saffron, New Parks, Evington, Braunstone and Highfields & St. Matthews, providing a platform for stories that speak directly to our communities.
Barnum: The Circus Musical
Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.
West End star Matt Rawle will take centre stage as the legendary 19th century showman P.T. Barnum. This spectacular production directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts.
Tim Key: Loganberry
Tim Key (Alan Partridge, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Tim Key’s Late Night Poetry Programme) again pops his suit on, plods about, in a brand new show.
Bit gutted he’s old. Guzzling continental lager. Magnetic lol. Decent reviews for previous shows. Played a pigeon in Bong Joon Ho’s latest movie. Been on Richard Herring’s podcast. Book out: “L.A. Baby!”. Met Steffi Graf in 1998/9.
This show has poems in, and he’ll stamp and howl. Won the Perrier Award in 2009!
SYLVIA
The untold story of the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst takes centre stage in this irresistible hip hop, funk and soul musical that moves your feet and fires your spirit.
Whilst her mother and sister battled for women’s suffrage, Sylvia ignited a revolution for the forgotten: working women, the impoverished, the silenced. Caught between her family and her beliefs, Sylvia risked it all to bring change to millions.
Educating Rita
Bright-eyed twenty-something Susan ‘Rita’ White dreams of making more of her life. Armed with an interest in literature and unwavering determination she enrols in the Open University, forming an unlikely friendship with disillusioned and dishevelled Frank – her self-proclaimed “appalling teacher”. Through their weekly tutorials, they challenge each other into a life-changing journey of self-discovery.
EDUCATING RITA is written by Willy Russell (BLOOD BROTHERS, OUR DAY OUT) and directed by Cara Nolan (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, PRIDE & PREJUDICE), with Alexandra Mardell (CORONATION STREET, ITV, SMOGGIE QUEENS, BBC) as our Rita and Dominic Mafham (VIGIL, BBC, KILLING EVE, BBC) as Frank.
Bharatanatyam Beyond Boundaries
Caste Away: From Tradition to Heresy is a powerful solo Bharatanatyam work by Dr. Prathiba Batley, exploring five shades of womanhood — divine, comic, lover, survivor, and the disruptor. Drawing inspiration from ancient Tamil poetry, the piece reimagines the classical dance form for contemporary audiences. It is both celebration and provocation — a visual and emotional odyssey that speaks across cultures, generations, and identities.
The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre - Amber Crowle's Story
Our annual fundraising appeal for The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre has now come to a close.
Established in 2021, the programme has since supported four talented Creative Venue Technician Apprentices to develop their technical theatre skills.
We heard from Amber Crowle, a previous apprentice, to find out more about how the scheme has supported her technical career.
Click below to read the full interview.
Go behind-the-scenes of Curve!
Discover the inner workings of Curve; its history, the building’s secrets, and the stories of people who shaped Curve and made it what it is today.
Attendees will have a unique glimpse into what goes on behind the curtain to create a show at Curve – right from the rehearsal rooms to the costumes, sets and technology that bring the magic alive. And a rare chance to see the auditorium as you’ve never seen it before … from the stage!
Explore our Digital Learning Resource Library
To support learning around our Made at Curve productions, we have created a number of Education Packs filled with insights and activities that everyone can enjoy.
Delve deeper into Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, West Side Story and more in our resource library at the link below.
Little Curve Workshops
We’d love to welcome you and your little ones to Little Curve Workshops. Little Curve Workshops are a weekly creative arts class for children aged 18 months to 5 years with their parents, carers and grandparents. Sessions will be led by Curve practitioners Chandni Mistry, Tamika Gore & Deepali Foster and will either explore magical, colourful storytelling, or creative dance, music and movement.
CQ Earlies
On the second Saturday of each month, we host CQ Earlies – fun, free, and creative sessions for children and families.
Suitable for ages 5+
Learn with top artists in Curve Classroom
Since January, we’re proud to have supported home-schooling during the third national lockdown with our educational initiative, Curve Classroom.
The free sessions cover a range of topics for all ages and are delivered by a host of leading artists including performers Molly Lynch, Garry Robson and Hareet Deol, Designers Grace Smart and Kate Unwin, Director Julia Thomas, Choreographers Arlene Phillips and Mel Knott, Writers Jess Green and Rob Ward, as well as a number of Midlands-based artists local to Curve in Leicester.
Find out more and explore the full archive here.
