About Our Work

A Producing Theatre
Curve is one of the country's leading producing theatres.

Our artistic team is led by Paul Kerryson, our Artistic Director, who plans, develops and quite regularly directs our productions.  The artistic team also put together creative teams, such as designers (set, costume etc), musical directors, choreographers, sound designers, lighting designers, as well as casting the actors for the production.

The Designer, working closely with the Artistic Director creates the look and feel for the show and builds a 1:25 model of the set for reference for the workshop.  More often than not these sets are then built at outside workshops and finished/constructed here at Curve although sometimes, as in the case of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Buried Child, they are created in our workshop space.  We have an in-house audio visual suite and recording studio where video material and sound effects can be created and we also have a wardrobe department where costumes are made and maintained throughout the run of a show. 

Throughout Leicester Theatre Trust’s 38 year history we have produced a wide range of productions, and have been perhaps best known for producing musical theatre. From On Your Toes, which transferred to London and Japan I 2003/4 to The King and I, which opened here at Christmas 2010, and opens a UK tour in Edinburgh in December 2012, Chicago, West Side Story, Godspell, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Carousel, The European Premiere ofThe Light in the Piazza and Hot Stuff, and the numerous works of Stephen Sondheim.

We also produce and co-produce a range of other genres, from dark contemporary drama such as The Pillowman, to classic and comedic drama such as Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn, contemporary dance (recently we worked closely with Akram Khan Company on 3 co-productions, all of which were devised and world premiered here in Leicester) and children’s theatre, such as Mr Stink by David Wailliams and The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo.

We also enjoy and encourage regular work with the local community, focussed around our annual Community Production. Aspiring actors and performers have the opportunity to audition for a part in these productions, and those that are successful, then work with the professional teams in the theatre to create a production for everyone to enjoy.  Being part of a Curve community show helps develops skills, community spirit, and an understanding of the role the arts has to play in society, for everyone who participates, whether as actors, technicians or audiences who come to see the show.

Curve Productions

2008

Theatre

  • Lift Off

    Lift Off – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson, photos by Graeme Robertson

  • Simply Cinderella – Curve Production

    Directed by Adam Cooper

2009

Theatre

  • As You Like It – Curve Production

    Directed by Tim Supple

  • In-I – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Akram Khan Company

  • Piazza

    The Light in the Piazza – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson, photos by Catherine Ashmore

  • His Dark Materials – Part 1 – Curve Community Production

    Directed by Adel Al-Salloum

  • All My Sons – Curve Production

    Directed by Walter Meierjohann

  • Peter Pan A Musical – Curve Production

    Directed by David Taylor

Studio

  • Pillowman

    The Pillowman – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson, photos by Johan Persson

  • The Fastest Clock in the Universe – Curve Co-Production

    Directed by Edward Dick

  • The Moon The Moon – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Unlimited Theatre

  • Cosmos – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Dragon Breath

2010

Theatre

  • Salome – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Headlong

  • Vertical Road – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Akram Khan Company

  • Hot Stuff – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson

  • The King and I – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson

Studio

  • The Lieutenant of Inishmore – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson

  • The Long Road – Curve Production

    Directed by Adel Al-Salloum

  • Dolly – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with New Perspectives

  • Translations – Curve Production

    Directed by Mick Gordon

  • Molly Sweeney – Curve Production

    Directed by Selina Cartmell

 

2011

Theatre

  • The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Mike Walsh and Daniel Sparrow Productions, directed by Emma Rice

  • Greek – Curve Collaboration

    Collaboration with DMU, directed by Adel Al-Salloum

  • East – Curve Collaboration

    Collaboration with DMU, directed by Paul Kerryson

  • Absurd Person Singular – Curve Production

Directed by Paul Kerryson

  • West Side Story – Curve Community Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson

  • Desh – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Akram Khan Company

  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Curve Production

    Directed by Michael Buffong

  • 42nd Street – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson

Studio

  • Mr Stink – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Stink on Stage Ltd

  • Bang, Bang, Bang – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with Out of Joint

  • Entitled – Curve Collaboration

    Collaboration with Quarantine

  • Indian Classical vs. Contemporary – Curve Collaboration

    Collaboration with the Centre for Indian Classical Dance

  • Buried Child – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson

2012

Theatre

  • Gypsy – Curve Production

    Directed by Paul Kerryson

  • Oliver! – Curve Community Production

  • Entertaining Mr Sloane – Curve Production

            Directed by Paul Kerryson

  • Hello, Dolly! – Curve Production

            Directed by Paul Kerryson

 

 

Studio

  • Hotel Paradiso – Curve Collaboration

    Collaboration with Familie Flöz

  • Rising – Curve Collaboration

    Collaboration with Aakash Odedra

  • The Butterfly Lion – Curve Co-Production

    Co-production with New Perspectives

  • Gulliver’s Travels – Curve Collaboration

    Collaboration with Dragon Breath

Participation and Learning

We are committed to providing a range of opportunities for people of all ages to get involved with us, and sharing the usually hidden process of theatre making. Opportunities include:

Festivals

We are delighted to support and play a part in Leicester’s annual festival programme.

Leicester Comedy Festival

Each year we programme a range of shows as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival - the longest running comedy festival in Europe. Each February, over 60,000 people enjoy the festival: "More gag filled gigs than anything outside Edinburgh" The Sunday Times

Leicester’s Comedy Festival becomes Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival next year, and we are once again proud to have a wide programme of events as part of this, including for the first time, a programme of up and coming acts performing in one of our rehearsal rooms, as well as a great selection of local, UK and international comedy talent.

Website: http://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/

Spark Children’s Arts Festival

Spark Festival - The Spark Children‘s Arts Festival is a two-week summer festival of the performing and visual arts for children in Leicester and Leicestershire, which takes place every year in May and June. We are proud to be the hub of the Festival for 2012, for the second year running. Not only does our programme form a key part of the Spark Festival programme, but we also have a range of interactive activities for families in the theatre over this family. Look out for more info coming soon!

Website: http://www.sparkfestival.co.uk/