A Theatre Nation Partnerships production produced by Curve

My Beautiful Laundrette

Sat 17 - Sat 24 Feb 2024

Synopsis

“Could anyone in their right mind call this silly little island off of Europe their home?”

Based on Hanif Kureishi’s iconic and Oscar-nominated screenplay and last brought to the stage in 2019 directed by Nikolai Foster, My Beautiful Laundrette is set in South London during the Thatcher years and tells the story of Omar. After a confrontation with a racist gang, including his former school-friend Johnny, Omar uses their history to defuse the situation. Against a backdrop of nationalism, racial tensions, financial crisis and political turmoil, the pair come together to transform a run-down laundrette and realise their feelings for one another.

This culture clash comedy is also a subversive work of social realism, sprinkled with magic and joy running through the rich veins of Kureishi’s writing. This bold production of Kureishi’s ground-breaking film, directed by Nicole Behan, explores cultural conflict, gender equality, class and generational strife, all presented against a funky backdrop of 80s music and culture with additional original music composed by the Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

My Beautiful Laundrette was developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme and is a Theatre Nation Partnership production, produced by Curve.

Show Guidance: This production contains very strong language and adult themes including violence and racism, plus smoking on stage.
Age Guidance: 14+
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 20-minute interval.

Tickets

DISCOUNTS*
£5 off Under 16s (Mon – Thu only)
£5 off 16-26 yrs and/or Students (with a free 16-26 & Student Membership), and Curve Connect (Mon – Thu only)
£15 Under 18s school groups (Mon – Thu only)
£4 off for Groups 8+
15% off for Members or 2-4-1 tickets for Friends and Supporters on Mon 19 Feb, 7.45pm

Public Dress Rehearsal
Sat 17 Feb, 3pm

ACCESS PERFORMANCES
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted: Thu 22 Feb 2024, 7.45pm
BSL Interpreter: Emma Phillips
Emma will be interpreting from the left of the stage, as you are facing it.

Captioned: Fri 23 Feb 2024, 7.45pm
Captioner: Theatre Captioner Network – Jenny Skene

Audio Described: Sat 24 Feb 2024, 2.30pm with Touch Tour from 1pm
Audio Describers: Talking Sense – Nadine Beasley and Kate Taylor Davies

Listen to our pre-show audio notes for MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE in the player below, or here on SoundCloud.

Curve Theatre, Leicester · Access at Curve | Talking Sense Audio introduction to My Beautiful Laundrette

For more information about our Access Performances, please click here.

Access performances at Curve are kindly sponsored by Hotel Brooklyn, Leicester and David Wilson Homes.

*Discounts are subject to availability and may be removed at any time. Only valid on certain performances - terms and conditions apply.

Credits & Acknowledgments

Director: Nicole Behan
Original Director: Nikolai Foster
Set and Costume Designer: Grace Smart
Composers: Tennant/Lowe
Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall
Original Curve Casting Director: Kay Magson CDG
Revival Casting Director: Harry Blumenau CDA
Production Manager: Milorad Žakula
Resident Assistant Director (Birkbeck): Joe Gilmour
Associate Lighting Designer: Dale Driscoll
Associate Sound Designer: Chris Campbell
Associate Set and Costume Designer: Alys Whitehead
Movement Director: Stacey McCarthy
Fight Director: Bret Yount
Company Stage Manager: Megan Bly
Deputy Stage Manager: Eleanor Walton
Assistant Stage Manager: Francesca Mai