Created and shared during lockdown in 2020, Curve in Conversation was a series of in-depth video interviews with leading creatives and performers – from Jodie Prenger, Hanif Kureishi, Arlene Phillips and many more – hosted by our Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster!

Curve in Conversation now continues as a podcast, released on the final Thursday of every month. Hosted by former BBC Radio Leicester presenter Martin Ballard, listen to hear insights from Curve and the people who make work both on and off our stages.

Listen to our Curve in Conversation podcasts here.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION... HANIF KUREISHI

In the first of a series of in-depth interviews with leading theatre creatives and performers, Nikolai talks to playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker and novelist Hanif Kureishi, whose Oscar-nominated screenplay My Beautiful Laundrette became a world-premiere Made at Curve drama last year.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...JODIE PRENGER

In this episode of Curve in Conversation, our Artistic Director Nikolai Foster is joined by the incredible Jodie Prenger (A Taste Of Honey, Calamity Jane, Oliver!).

From her upbringing surrounded by music in a B&B, to meeting Liza Minnelli and securing the role of Nancy in Oliver! in the West End, watch this interview to find out more about Jodie and her advice for aspiring performers.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...STEPHEN MEAR

In this episode of Curve in Conversation our Artistic Director Nikolai Foster speaks to Olivier Award-winning Choreographer Stephen Mear.

Stephen, who choreographed previous Made at Curve productions of Scrooge and White Christmas, talks about growing up in Loughborough and embracing his passion for dance, his first job in the West End, receiving a CBE and his process for creating and inspiring movement on stage.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...ANITA DOBSON

In this in-depth conversation, Nikolai Foster speaks to Anita Dobson about growing up in London’s East End, finding a connection with the characters she’s played and making magic from the mistakes.

Having become a household name for her portrayal as Angie Watts in EastEnders, Anita’s career also includes an Olivier Award-nominated performance in Bryony Lavery’s Frozen, as well as starring as Mama Morton in Chicago in the West End. Last year, Anita appeared as Miss Hannigan in the touring production of Annie, directed by Nikolai.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...CATHERINE RUSSELL

In this episode of Curve in Conversation, our Artistic Director Nikolai Foster speaks to Catherine Russell about her early memories of childhood, her advice for aspiring actors and working on our 2017 Made at Curve production of Joe Orton’s What The Butler Saw.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...SARAH TRAVIS

In this episode of our Curve in Conversation series, Nikolai Foster speaks with Tony Award-winning Orchestrator, Musical Supervisor and Curve Associate Artist Sarah Travis.

The in-depth interview covers the teachers who inspired Sarah’s career, her path into the industry and her passion for new work.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...CATHY TYSON

In this episode of Curve in Conversation, Nikolai Foster speaks to Cathy Tyson (The Importance of Being Earnest, My Beautiful Laundrette, Band of Gold) about the experiences in her youth which shaped her career as a performer, the people who inspired and enabled her to act and finding a home at her local theatre.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...LESLEY JOSEPH

In this week’s Curve in Conversation, our artistic director Nikolai Foster speaks with star of stage and screen Lesley Joseph (Annie, Birds of a Feather, Young Frankenstein).

This in-depth interview covers Lesley’s early memories of growing up in Northampton, meeting the Pope, and the strength of the theatre community.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...KAY MAGSON

Nikolai Foster talks to Curve Associate Artist and Casting Director Kay Magson CDG
 
Having assembled the casts for many Made At Curve productions including West Side Story, My Beautiful Laundrette and Grease, in this in-depth conversation Kay discusses the evolution of her role over the years, the importance of respect and creating a safe audition space, as well as her top tips for auditions.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

In this episode, Nikolai Foster speaks to the multi-talented Craig Revel Horwood. In 2016, we welcomed Craig to Curve as he directed Sister Act and, more recently, Craig performed as Miss Hannigan in Annie, directed by Nikolai.

From playing the recorder at the Sydney Opera House to performing on stages across the world and directing shows of his own, find out more about Craig’s career and his hopes for the future of theatre.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...DAKOTA BLUE RICHARDS

Our Artistic Director Nikolai Foster speaks to Dakota Blue Richards (A Streetcar Named DesireJoe Orton‘s What The Butler Saw, both at Curve).

Dakota shot to global fame when, at the age of 13, she appeared as Lyra Belacqua in the blockbuster adaptation of Philip Pullman‘s The Golden Compass. Since then she has gone on to star in series including Endeavour and Skins. In this in-depth interview Dakota and Nikolai discuss dealing with fame at a young age, the differences between television, film and theatre, and her approach to acting.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...AKRAM KHAN

In this in-depth interview, Curve Associate Artist, dance artist and choreographer Akram Khan speaks to Nikolai Foster about growing up surrounded by music, dance and storytelling, performing in Peter Brook‘s legendary production of The Mahabharata, his process for creating work and the necessity of finding a raw connection with an audience.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...GRANT OLDING

From child-actor to Tony Award-nominated composer, in this week’s Curve in Conversation, Curve Associate Artist Grant Olding (Breakfast at Tiffany’sSimply CinderellaOne Man Two Guvnors) talks to Nikolai Foster about his career, the success of streamed theatre throughout lockdown, and how he finds the sound of a show.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...ARLENE PHILLIPS

In this episode of Curve in Conversation, our Artistic Director Nikolai Foster talks to legendary choreographer Arlene Phillips, who most recently joined us at Curve to bring dynamic moves to our touring production of Grease.

Arlene takes us back to her first ever ballet class, the formation of dance troupe Hot Gossip, and discusses her approach to working with performers.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...BEN CRACKNELL

In this Curve in Conversation our Artistic Director Nikolai Foster talks to award-winning Lighting Designer and Curve Associate Artist Ben Cracknell (My Beautiful Laundrette, Sunset Boulevard, Breakfast at Tiffany’s) about his journey to a career in lighting design, the role that lights play in a performance, and how new technology is creating exciting opportunities in theatre lighting.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...SHANE RICHIE

In this episode of Curve in Conversation, Artistic Director Nikolai Foster speaks to Shane Richie, who joined us in 2019 for our Made at Curve production of John Osborne‘s The Entertainer.

With a career spanning television, theatre, stand-up, presenting and more, watch as Shane talks about his career beginning in his dad’s clubs, how he has been able to move between genres, and why Curve is not just about theatre.

Please be aware, this video contains strong language which some viewers may find offensive.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...ELLEN KANE

In this episode of Curve in Conversation, Nikolai talks to Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Ellen Kane, choreographer of our Made at Curve production of West Side Story.
Listen as Ellen discusses how she came to work in musical theatre, her work on Billy ElliotMatilda the Musical and Groundhog Day, as well as her approach to finding the right moves for West Side Story at Curve.

CURVE IN CONVERSATION...COLIN RICHMOND

In this episode, Nikolai talks to Theatre Designer Colin Richmond, whose previous work includes our Made at Curve productions of Grease and Sunset Boulevard.

Watch and listen as Colin discusses how he became interested in theatre and design, the importance of collaboration among creative teams, and his advice for the next generation of theatre designers.

Curve in Conversation...My Beautiful Laundrette

To coincide with the release of the dress rehearsal archive recording of My Beautiful Laundrette, cast members Paddy DalyKammy DarweishHareet DeolJonny FinesNicole JebeliOmar MalikBalvinder SopalCathy Tyson and Gordon Warnecke reunited online with Director Nikolai Foster, Writer Hanif Kureishi and Designer Grace Smart.

Almost one year since the acclaimed Made at Curve drama hit our stage, in this discussion the team reflect on the production and its impact, with questions sent by audience members.