January always starts with the lull after the busy Christmas season but Leicester’s Curve theatre is already urging people to buy tickets for this year’s winter classic – 42nd Street.
Paul Kerryson, artistic director for the Leicester Theatre Trust, spoke to Jemma Crowston, about what’s coming up this season including the announcement of their Christmas gem.
The end of 2010 was marked by the great success of the King and I for Curve with lead actress Janie Dee wowing the audience with her performance as Anna.
With the demand for tickets high, Kerryson has released the details of this year’s Christmas special – 42nd Street - and tickets are already selling fast.
He said, “We’ve been very lucky to get the rights to do 42nd Street and we only got them because of the success of previous performances such as King and I.
“It’s a very magical story and one of the most famous around the world so we wanted to give the audience time to buy their tickets especially those who couldn’t get tickets this Christmas to our sell out show.”
The spring programme at Curve includes a return from the touring theatre company, Kneehigh. Following the success of Red Shoes last November the company will return this month with The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
Audiences can expect romance, heart break and surprise with this exciting new adaptation of the cult French musical film.
Next month will see dozens of comedians gather for the cities 18th annual comedy festival.
Kerryson said, “We only had a few shows for the comedy festival last time but this year we’ve got about ten shows and we’re looking to increase this next year.”
Some of the acts to feature at Curve for Leicester’s Comedy Festival include Jon Richardson, Sarah Millican, Milton Jones and Ceri Dupree. Adding to the spectacular comedy line-up will be Kerryson’s take on Alan Ayckbourn’s play – Absured Person Singular.
He said, “This is a show about three nightmare Christmas’ which I’m sure we can all relate to. It’s a great piece of comedy to kick start the year.”
For the family audience members, Curve is pleased to see the debut adaptation of David Walliams book, Mr Stink.
The show, which will be out from May 26 to June 4, tells a story about a girl’s friendship with a smelly tramp and her mission to hide him from her mother who is campaigning to be an MP and rid the streets of homeless people.
Last January Kerryson spoke about the constant comparison being made between the modern glass theatre and Leicester’s old Haymarket Theatre. But now, Curve proudly stands on its own merits.
Kerryson said, “Over the past five months I’ve seen a definite change in audience appreciation for Curve. We’ve had the foyer revamped to make it more comfortable and we’re looking to improve our food offer too. And I’ve not heard us being compared to Haymarket for such a long time which is great.”
He added, “We have the wow factor. Whenever we pull the side of the stage up so people can see outside or look into the backstage area I always see people looking on in amazement even the old Haymarket Theatre fans are impressed.”
Mr Kerryson’s role involves being one step ahead and he is already planning a bumper packed autumn programme which will be released in April.
For tickets and information on all the seasons upcoming shows phone 0116 242 3595 or visit www.curveonline.co.uk.
Article written by freelance journalist Jemma Crowston
