Full Curve on the Square line-up announced
Curve has revealed the full line-up of talented local performers joining Curve on the Square, the theatre’s weekend of free outdoor entertainment for all from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 August.
As Curve celebrates its 15th year in 2023, a stage outside the theatre’s building on Orton Square will host free live entertainment and activities, supported by Leicester-based music licensing company PPL PRS.
The weekend will begin at 6pm on Friday 11 August with musical theatre performers Matt Hilton and Yasmina Berraoui, dance performances from Moving Together Senior Company and Over-55s dancers, and throwback party tunes from live band 80s Revellers.
On Saturday 12 August, a session of Little Curve – the theatre’s regular creative workshop for young children – will kick off the day from 11am, followed by vibrant Indian dance from Curve Associates Nupur Arts and a creative and interactive family workshop from Leicester theatre-makers Mix It.
Throughout Saturday afternoon musical theatre performers Indialily Cooper, Ava Fletcher and Joshua Taylor-Williams will sing a variety of favourite musical numbers, while sarangi and tabla duo String Beats UK will bring fresh twists on modern chart hits. Curve Community Company will also take to the stage, celebrating their time as part of the theatre’s group with puppetry and drama pieces focused on community spirit. Between 4:30pm and 5:30pm, audiences can enjoy spoken word poetry from Ruben Whitter, Oviya Thirumalai, Carol Leeming MBE and The Orator (Boston Williams Jackson).
Saturday evening continues with live rap from DulzoTheGreat and rap duo Sly and Estar, followed by singer Harri Georgio. Pianist and singer-songwriter Lady Affirmation will bring the day to a close from 8pm to 9pm.
Local performer Mary Bonam will begin the entertainment on Sunday 13 August with a playful workshop for children from 11am. The day continues from 12:10pm with a Dementia Friendly singalong for all ages from Leicester Musical Memory Box, followed by acapella performances from the Heart of England Chorus. The afternoon continues with Curve Young Community Company Musical Theatre members Aimee Coe and Alex Budding, dynamic Japanese drumming from Hajimari – Bullfrog Festival Taiko and music from Junkyard Jazz Cats Band. This year’s Curve on the Square will conclude with an acoustic session from singing duo Ally and James from 4:20pm to 5pm.
Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:
“Curve on the Square came about during the lockdowns as part of our determination to keep audiences and community groups connected. This lively and informal outdoor event proved massively successful and we’re thrilled it’s back as a regular fixture.
“It’s fun, free, family entertainment on Orton Square and everyone is welcome. Huge thanks to PPL PRS for their support, and the extremely talented artists from across the city who will be performing ‘on the Square’ across the weekend.”
Andrea Gray, Managing Director at PPL PRS commented:
“Being able to support this wonderful, free event really does mean a lot to us here at PPL PRS. Helping to ensure that music and the performing arts is accessible to everyone is so important. It enables people from all backgrounds to experience the wealth of talent that we have here in Leicester, and also encourages them to get involved themselves.”
Each performance at Curve on the Square will be free with no need to book, and Curve will operate an outdoor bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks throughout the weekend.
Curve on the Square – Full Listings
Friday 11 August
6pm – 6:30pm – Matt Hilton
6:40pm – 6:50pm – Moving Together Senior Company and Over 55s
7pm – 7:30pm – Yasmina Berraoui
7:30pm – 7:55pm – Matt Hilton
8:10pm – 9pm – 80s Revellers
Saturday 12 August
11am – 11:50am – Little Curve on the Square
12pm – 12:30pm – Nupur Arts
12:30pm – 1:10pm – Mix It
1:20pm – 1:50pm – Indialily Cooper
2pm – 2:30pm – String Beats UK
2:40pm – 3:10pm – Ava Fletcher
3:20pm – 3:40pm – Curve Community Company
3:50pm – 4:20pm – Joshua Taylor
4:30pm – 4:45pm – Ruben Whitter
4:45pm – 5pm – Oviya Thirumalai
5pm – 5:15pm – Carol Leeming MBE
5:15pm – 5:30pm – The Orator (Boston Williams Jackson)
5:40pm – 6:10pm – DulzoTheGreat
6:10pm – 6:40pm – Sly and Estar
6:55pm – 7:45pm – Harri Georgio
8pm – 9pm – Lady Affirmation
Sunday 13 August
11am – Mary Bonam
12:10pm – 12:50pm – Leicester Musical Memory Box
1pm – 1:30pm – Heart of England Chorus
1:40pm – 2:10pm – Aimee Coe
2:20pm – 2:50pm – Alex Budding
3pm – 3:30pm – Hajimari – Bullfrog Festival Taiko
3:40pm – 4:10pm – Junkyard Jazz Cats Band
4:20pm – 5pm – Ally and James