Curve Announces Full Festival Line-up Celebrating the Best Talent in the East Midlands

Leicester’s Curve theatre today announces the full programme for its first annual arts festival, Inside Out, which celebrates the region’s best up-and-coming talent from 10 – 19 April 2014.

Taking place over 10 days during the Easter holidays, Inside Out is packed full of exciting new shows, including comedy, dance, and plays as well as family-friendly workshops, free performances, live music and interactive installations – all created by over 150 emerging East Midlands artists who are taking the country by storm.

Suba Das, Curve’s Associate Director who is curating Inside Out commented:

“Inside Out has something for everyone to enjoy, from family-friendly experiences to rule-breaking fresh new theatre, and with over 40 free performances and workshops, it’s never been easier to try something new and exciting from these emerging artists working right here on our doorstep. With a sensational line-up of local theatre makers, musicians and performers, Inside Out proves without doubt that the future of British theatre can be found right here in the East Midlands. We are very proud to be able to support these artists on their journey, and are all hugely excited to bring them together at Curve for our first festival.”

Family highlights include Derby based company Maison Foo’s hilarious, nonsense-filled Alien Tour of Curve, taking groups of all ages backstage and around the building on Saturday 12 April. Then, on Tuesday 17 April, families can take part in a full day of free creative workshops, open mic jams and performances at Lyric Lounge. Kids of all ages can enjoy free hip hop, rap, urban poetry and funny storytelling, before taking part in comic book workshops and spoken word Slam sessions.

Throughout the festival, Curve’s Foyer Stage will be transformed into the magical Inside Out Park, created by Leicester designer Kate Unwin. Using a treasure trove of scenery and props from Curve’s best loved shows, the Inside Out Park will be an enchanting place to chill out and experience an extensive programme of free live music and performance. The Inside Out Park’s highlight will be a free gig by BBC Introducing on 17 April, starring the region’s best up and coming bands.

There will also be an opportunity to see talented local actors from Leicester perform the UK premieres of two extraordinary New Plays from India; OK Tata Bye Bye by Purva Naresh and The Pereira’s Bakery at 76 Chapel Road by Ayeesha Menon. Both were originally developed by the Royal Court Theatre and Rage Productions in Mumbai. Directed by Curve Associate Director, Suba Das, these hilarious new plays will run from 17 April – 19 April in Curve’s Studio.

On 15 April, new spoken word, hip hop show, Shame, looks at moments in life when you knew you were doing the wrong thing. Devised at Curve, Leicester-based poet John Berkavitch explores the feeling of shame through combination of contemporary dance, animation and original music by dance DJs Jamie Woon and Royce Wood Junior.

Inspired by courageous people willing to risk everything for what they believe in, see three British women take action in Small Acts of Protest on 11 April. Presented by all-female Nottingham based theatre company, The Gramophones, this joyous celebration of the power of protest was a hit at last year’s Edinburgh Festival.

Another Edinburgh festival smash, Fine Frenzy’s Vessel will dock at Curve on 12 April.  Using only raincoats, rope and torchlight, Vessel tells the story of five siblings that reunite to build a boat in memory of John, a brother lost at sea, whilst confronting their troubled past.

Cardboard Citizen’s production Glasshouse, sees three interwoven stories that look into the lives of members of a single family on the fringes of homelessness on 17 April. Featuring haunting poetry from Kate Tempest, this Forum Theatre play evokes a dark gritty city illuminated by moments of comedy and tenderness. Audience members are also invited to join the actors on stage to help influence the outcome of the play.

Drama highlights also include award-winning Nottingham writer and theatre maker Michael Pinchbeck’s The Trilogy on 11 April. Comprising of three devised experimental performances inspired by the work of William Shakespeare The Trilogy features The Beginning an interpretation of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, The Middle, a deconstructed Hamlet and The End, triggered by a stage direction from A Winter’s Tale.

Leicester based artists will bring the festival to a close on 19 Aprilwith Elaine Pantling performing her new one-woman show, The Last Cuppa and Off The Fence presenting, England Expects by Tom Glover. This new play follows the story of Vesta Tilley, music hall’s greatest male impersonator and her role in WW1, in this centenary year.

As well as this electrifying mix of fun and inventive new theatre, Inside Out is giving opportunities to get involved and take part in free writing workshops and acting master-classes led by BBC Writersroom, The Actors Centre and Writing East Midlands.