#DMUPride return to Curve with in-person world premiere of Is He Musical?

Curve will host the live, world premiere production of Jude Taylor’s Is He Musical? as De Montfort University’s #DMUPride returns to the theatre with in-person performances for the first time since 2020.

#DMUPride marks LGBTQ+ History Month with a series of events and activities which raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of the community. Each year as part of the festival, a group of DMU students work with Curve professionals to arrange performances and workshops at the theatre.

This year, Curve Resident Creative Jude Taylor’s Is He Musical? will make its world premiere to live audiences on Wednesday 23 February. Originally scheduled to run at the now cancelled VAULT Festival,  Is He Musical? is an intimate, joyous musical comedy inspired by the true stories of the queer friends who loved, lived and partied across 1930s London.

Writer and co-producer Jude Taylor (he/him) comments:

“I am thrilled that Is He Musical will receive its world in-person premiere at Curve, a much-loved local venue that has had a significant influence on my journey. Following the sad cancellation of VAULT Festival last month, I’m so pleased that we still have an opportunity to bring this production to life, showcasing a story that celebrates the value of community and commemorates an important piece of LGBTQ+ history. We are particularly excited to engage with student audiences in Leicester through our series of additional workshops relating to the piece, too. 

“As a Curve Resident Creative I’ve been overwhelmed by the fantastic support our cohort has received over the course of the past year, and I am very excited about this collaboration.” 

The musical stars Teddy Hinde (they/them) as Wilfred and Barry O’Reilly (he/him) as Laurence. Joining director Matt Powell (they/he/she) on the creative team are musical director Francesca Fenech (she/her), set and costume designer Ana Webb Sanchez (she/her), movement director Ryan Wiggins (he/him), musical supervisor and arranger George Strickland (he/him), dramaturg Sarah K. Whitfield (she/her), with further team members to be announced in due course.

Alongside performances of Is He Musical?, co-producers Jude Taylor and Matt Powell will lead free in-person and online workshops on writing, creating and staging new musical theatre.

Performances of Is He Musical? as part of DMUPride at Curve are available to book now. To find out more, visit www.curveonline.co.uk or call Curve’s Box Office on 0116 242 3595.

Is He Musical? is supported by Arts Council England, University of Wolverhampton, Curve and De Montfort University and is produced by MPTheatricals.