Curve in Conversation

Join Curve in Conversation for this exclusive look behind the curtain in the Come From Away rehearsals! 

This Made at Curve co-production of the award-winning musical has wowed audiences across the globe. Join our host Martin Ballard as he speaks to the cast about this moving production. 

Featuring interviews with Sara Poyzer, Oliver Jacobson, Amanda Henderson, Nicholas Pound and Mark Dugdale, listen to find out why the show has been such a hit. 

From all at Curve, welcome to the rock! 

Join us for the first Curve in Conversation episode of 2024.   

This month, Martin speaks with Hareet Deol of My Beautiful Laundrette, exploring his previous work at Curve, and why he’s excited to return to the drama as Salim.  

Sister Act’s Landi Oshinowo talks about her unexpected entry into the theatre industry, success on the West End, and the on-stage antics of her character, Deloris Van Cartier.  

Finally, Neil Hurst explains what his family thinks of his role in The Full Monty, and why he loves to work on the stage. 

The final episode of Curve in Conversation in 2023 is here! 

December’s edition flies into The Owl Who Came For Christmas rehearsals, exploring the cast's wide range of talents, as well as how the show has been adapted to welcome everyone into Rosie the Owl’s home.  

Get an insight into the smash hit musical, Come From Away, and hear from the writers about the road to theatrical success, including first-hand stories from the residents of the Newfoundland town of Gander who inspired the story.  

Finally, Evita cast member Dan Partridge (Magaldi), speaks to host Martin Ballard about coming back to Curve, how audiences have reacted to this new Made at Curve production, and how this experience differs from his previous roles such as Danny in Grease. 

In this jam-packed episode of Curve in Conversation, host Martin Ballard enters the rehearsal room for our Made at Curve production of Evita. 

Featuring interviews with Director Nikolai Foster, Martha Kirby (Eva Perón), Tyrone Huntley (Che), Company Stage Manager Paul Sawtell, Musical Director Ben van Tienen and Gary Milner (Perón), hear all about the show through the words of those involved. 

This behind-the-scenes exclusive explores what rehearsals involve, the themes of Evita, entry ways into the theatre industry, plus much more. 

Listen now for this exciting look behind the curtain at Curve. 

In this episode of Curve in Conversation, host Martin Ballard speaks to Evita choreographer, Adam Murray (Rocketman, Cruella), about the vision for this epic new Made at Curve production.   

Martin is also joined by Cara Nolan, Artist Development and New Work Producer at Curve, who is directing this year's festive family Made at Curve show, The Owl Who Came for Christmas. Find out how Cara and the team are approaching this world premiere stage adaptation of the bestselling book by John Hay and Garry Parsons, and working to create a fun show with accessibility and joy at its heart. 

Finally, hear from Curve's Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster as they discuss some exciting returns for acclaimed Made at Curve productions. 

Timestamps:
1:05 – My Beautiful Laundrette
4:13 – A Chorus Line
8:55- The Owl Who Came for Christmas
17:46 – Evita

In this jam-packed episode, hear from writer, broadcaster and journalist Danny Robins (Uncanny: I Know What I Saw, 2:22 A Ghost Story), Curve favourite and star of The Drifters Girl Carly Mercedes Dyer, and cast members of the new musical adaptation of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, including Obioma Ugoala, Jack Lord and Daniel Krikler.

In the latest episode of Curve in Conversation, find out more about two exciting new productions - the powerful musical adaptation of Markus Zusak's novel The Book Thief, and Frantic Assembly's electrifying new take on Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis.

The Book Thief runs at Curve 29 September to 14 October. In this episode, host Martin Ballard catches up with international bestselling author and the musical's co-librettist Jodi Picoult, director Lotte Wakeham and musical director Matthew Malone, as well as young cast members Tilly-Raye Bayer (Liesel) and Preston Cropp (Rudy).

Frantic Assembly's new production of Kafka's Metamorphosis, adapted by Lemn Sissay OBE, comes to Curve 19 to 23 September. In this episode, find out more about the play from cast member Joe Layton.

In this episode hear from Jordan Li-Smith (book, music and lyrics) and Director Alex Sutton as, respectively, they bring the National Youth Music Theatre's productions of The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair and Kiss Me, Kate to Curve this August.

Also, host Martin Ballard catches up with Christina Bianco to find out more about her journey down the Yellow Brick Road from Curve to London's Palladium as Glinda in our production of The Wizard of Oz.

In this episode, host Martin Ballard goes behind-the-scenes with our technical team members to learn more about the vital role they play in the theatre.

Also this month, hear from Curve Creative Programmes Practitioner Chandni Mistry, as she talks about adapting John Hay and Garry Parsons' The Owl Who Came For Christmas, our festive family show.

Finally, Offie Award-winning actress Liv Andrusier tells us about returning to the role of Annie Londonderry in acclaimed new musical Ride, a Made at Curve co-production which hits Leicester in July.

In this episode, join host Martin Ballard as he chats to the cast and creatives of our new Made at Curve co-production of 42nd Street, including director Jonathan Church, chorographer Bill Deamer and cast members Ruthie Henshall, Les Dennis, Adam Garcia and Nicole-Lily Baisden.

Step into the rehearsal room to learn all about Road, this year's Made at Curve and De Montfort University (DMU) co-production. Hear about Abby Clarke's exciting set design and listen to DMU students discuss getting stuck into Jim Cartwright's seminal state-of-the-nation drama, which runs at Curve 18 - 20 May.

Also in this episode, host Martin Ballard speaks with Curve Resident Creative Si Rawlinson to find out more about his work with Curve and new dance theatre production Saving Face, which premieres at the theatre 26 - 27 May.

Finally, hear from cast members of beatbox-play Unexpected Twist, as they prepare to bring this vivid spin on Charles Dickens' classic tale, Oliver Twist, to Curve's stage this June.

In this episode, hear more about the new work being created and shared at Curve as host Martin Ballard speaks to the creatives involved in Curve's New Work Festival, which took place 9 - 12 March.

Martin also catches up with Curve Associate Tasha Taylor Johnson, co-writer of the music and lyrics for new musical Cake, which comes to Curve 18 - 22 April.

At the beginning of February we shared an exciting look at the year ahead at Curve, with exclusive interviews, insights and performances at our spring Season Preview. In this episode, go behind-the-scenes of the event and hear more from those who took part, including The Stage's deputy editor Matt Hemley, BBC Radio Leicester presenter Aminata Kamara, Come From Away West End cast member Alice Fearn and producer Joe Smith, Sucker Punch director Nathan Powell, Girl From the North Country cast member Justina Kehinde, Curve's schools and partnerships manager Lorrine Douglas, The Book Thief cast member Bea Glancy, Curve's artistic director Nikolai Foster and chair of Curve's board, Sita McIntosh.

In the first episode of 2023, find out more about The Spark Festival Curve Community Day, which will see pupils from local schools taking over Curve with a range of creative activities on Saturday 18 February.

Host Martin Ballard also speaks to multi-award-winning Curve Associate Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell about his career in theatre, from his first steps into the industry to lighting productions at Curve including Billy Elliot the Musical, Beautiful - The Carole King Story and The Wizard of Oz.

In the final episode of 2022, Curve's Chief Executive Chris Stafford reflects on the past year and looks ahead to 2023, Leicester's Mark Peachey - The Wizard of Oz himself! - discusses Curve's Christmas production and local actor Daniel Cornish speaks about returning to perform at Curve as part of the National Theatre's tour of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

In this episode, meet Curve's Creative Programmes Community Practitioner Lily Brearley-Viney and The Wizard of Oz cast members Geoffrey Aymer, Christina Bianco and Jacqui Dubois.

Having just celebrated her first year at Curve, Lily talks to host Martin Ballard about her role and reflects on the last 12 months spent engaging with and building relationships with people and groups all across Leicester's communities.

Rehearsals are underway for this year's Made at Curve Christmas musical, The Wizard of Oz. In this episode, join host Martin Ballard in the rehearsal room as he speaks to Director Nikolai Foster, 'Dorothy' Georgina Onuorah, 'The Wicked Witch of the West' Charlotte Jaconelli and 'Scarecrow' Jonny Fines.

October is Black History Month, and in this episode of Curve in Conversation host Martin Ballard finds out more about what's happening at Curve by speaking with Apphia Campbell (Black is the Color of my Voice), Ameera Conrad (Celebrating Plays of Excellence) and Stephen Hayward (A Final Act of Friendship).

In this episode, host Martin Ballard speaks to Frantic Assembly Artistic Director Scott Graham about the new tour of acclaimed production Othello, co-produced with Curve, which begins in Leicester this September. Martin is also joined by Curve Resident Creative Rob Ward to find out more about an exciting new play commission, his recent run in Edinburgh and what Curve means to him as an artist. Finally, star of Sister Act Sandra Marvin talks about her career so far and how she feels to be bringing this divine musical comedy back to her hometown.

This month, learn more about our Made at Curve community production of Finding Home - Leicester's Ugandan Asian Story at 50 as host Martin Ballard speaks to members of the company and creative team as they prepare to stage three brand new plays from local writers: Ruka, Ninety Days and Call Me By My Name.