Curve in Conversation

In this month's episode of Curve in Conversation, host Martin Ballard is joined by three guests, exploring how theatre changes lives both on and off stage. Hear from Amber Crowle, a former Curve Creative Venue Technician Apprentice, supported by the Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre. As our annual fundraising appeal comes to a close at the end of June, learn more about the scheme&apos...

Step inside the rehearsal room for the hotly anticipated PUBLIC THE MUSICAL , now playing exclusively at Curve (30 May - 13 Jun) following its success at the Edinburgh Fringe. Four strangers. A gender-neutral public toilet. No way out. Trapped together, tensions high - nothing stays private for long as personalities clash and the group's differing views are laid bare. Host Martin Ballard is j...

Step inside the rehearsal room for our Made At Curve co-production BANK OF DAVE, a brand new musical comedy by Pippa Cleary and Rob Madge and directed by our own Nikolai Foster, opening at Lowry, Salford before playing at Curve 20 - 30 May. Host Martin Ballard is joined by Rob (Book/Lyrics), Nikolai (Director), Pippa (Music/Lyrics) and Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Hugh) as they discuss bringing Dave to t...

Step inside the rehearsal room for KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN in the second instalment of this episode, as our Made at Curve production prepares to open here in Leicester from 3 - 25 April. Host Martin Ballard is joined by Anna-Jane Casey (Aurora/Spider Woman), George Blagden (Valentin) and choreographer Joanna Goodwin as they discuss the scale and ambition of bringing this show to life, the product...

Our Made at Curve production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN opens here in Leicester 3-25 April and we're stepping inside the rehearsal room with director Paul Foster, alongside cast members Fabian Soto Pacheco (Molina), Gabriela Garcia (Marta) and Damian Buhagiar (Guard). In this episode, hosted by Martin Ballard, the team share how KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN brings its political themes to a conte...

Find out more about artist development at Curve in the latest episode of Curve in Conversation, as we introduce you to our brand-new cohort of eight Curve Resident Creatives (CRCs) - Leicester theatre-makers who will be closely associated with the theatre for the next 18-months. Hear from Associate Director Cara Nolan and our new CRCs as they discuss the scheme with host Martin Ballard. Are you a...

OMIGOD YOU GUYS! Step into the rehearsal room to hear all about rehearsals for our latest Made at Curve co-production - LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL, which opens here in Leicester before a major tour. In this episode, host Martin Ballard catches up with Hannah Lowther (Margot/Alternate Elle), Musical Director Cerys McKenna, Jocasta Almgill (Brooke), Jamie Chatterton (Warner), Daisy Twells (Ensemble)...

Get ready for the final Curve in Conversation episode of 2025!  As Christmas draws near and we reflect on an incredible year of Made at Curve and visiting productions, Artistic Director Nikolai Foster joins us to look back on the highlights that shaped our 2025 season. We’re also delighted to welcome Megan Ellis — Sister Sophia in THE SOUND OF MUSIC — who shares the joy of working with Nikolai on...

From Harmony House music hall on Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, and now on its way for the UK premiere here in Leicester, INSIDE AMERICAN PIE has been thrilling audiences for more than five years.  This innovative docu-concert experience explores the story behind Don McLean ’s legendary song ‘ American Pie’ , unpacking the riddles, cultural references and world-shifting moments...

Curve is alive with THE SOUND OF MUSIC!  With rehearsals for our Made at Curve Christmas production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC well underway, our host Martin Ballard made a visit to catch up with some of the cast and creatives.  Hear from our returning leads David Seadon-Young and Molly Lynch about how this iconic musical is still so relevant today and how excited they are to spend another festive seas...

In this month’s episode of Curve in Conversation, we blast off into the extra-terrestrial world of ALIENS LOVE PANTA CLAUS as we’re joined by Jude Taylor , the show’s Music and Lyrics creator. Jude shares the creative process for composing music for children’s theatre and gives a sneak peek into the exciting workshop on Tuesday 9 December where you can have give it a try yourself! Here at Curve, w...

With autumn in full swing, our host Martin Ballard checks in with MATILDA’s ballroom loving mother Mrs Wormwood, aka. Rebecca Thornhill. This smash hit Royal Shakespeare Company production prepares to open right here in Leicester next month, and Rebecca sheds light on why the show has been such a fan favourite. We’ll soon be welcoming an iconic showbiz pair to our Studio stage, as NOEL & GERTI...

With the Christmas season here at Curve fast approaching, our host Martin Ballard chats with director Julia Thomas about the magic behind our Made at Curve Christmas family show, ALIENS LOVE PANTA CLAUS . From funky dance numbers to red-nosed reindeer, Julia shares her imaginative vision for this out-of-this-world holiday production.  We also celebrate the thrilling announcement of our upcoming re...

With the summer holidays in full swing, host Martin Ballard chats with Curve’s Schools & Community Partnerships Manager, Lorrine Douglas , about the exciting line-up of summer workshops for young people this August. From Dance and Musical Theatre to Play in a Day, Lorrine shares what participants can expect from these fun, hands-on sessions designed to spark creativity and confidence.  We’re a...

Things are about to get kooky and spooky at Curve as THE ADDAMS FAMILY takes over our stage this summer. In this episode of Curve in Conversation, fan favourite Wednesday Addams aka Lauren Jones makes her triumphant return to Leicester!  Lauren talks all about her journey into the world of theatre, ranging from her first experience on the stage to her adventures as part of Curve’s Community Compan...

It’s the 50th episode of Curve in Conversation!  Thank you to all our listeners who have continued to join us behind-the-scenes at Curve and the fantastic productions that grace our stages.  In this month’s episode, we explore the colourful world of brand-new musical INDIGO . Our host Martin Ballard is joined by Katie Cailean who takes on the role of Emma, and The Bill ’s Lisa Maxwell who plays he...

It’s that time again – another brand-new episode of Curve in Conversation is here!  This month, our host Martin Ballard speaks to star of KIM’S CONVENIENCE James Yi , as this hit show heads out on its first UK tour. James talks all about this heartwarming drama which inspired the Netflix show of the same name, and why this production has become so meaningful for its audiences.  We then prepare for...

It’s time to go behind-the-scenes of another Made at Curve production!  Join our host Martin Ballard for this brand-new episode of Curve in Conversation as he steps foot into the rehearsal room for MURIEL’S WEDDING THE MUSICAL . Martin is joined by best of friends Muriel & Rhonda, aka Megan Ellis and Annabel Marlow as they talk all about the bond between their characters and the journey of sel...

For this episode of Curve in Conversation, we take a look at Theatre Nation Partnerships – a collaborative network of arts organisations aiming to strengthen their relationships with local audiences, schools and communities – and the impacts of Curve’s involvement.  Hear from the National Theatre ’s Head of National Partnerships Kiri Grant , as she delves into the amazing work of the collaboration...

Happy new year!  For the first full episode of Curve In Conversation of 2025, our host Martin Ballard explores some of the exciting shows arriving in Leicester over the next couple of months.  Kicking things off with an insight into George Orwell ’s chilling and timeless classic ANIMAL FARM , actor Sam Black delves into his character of Boxer and the strong themes of power and revolution which run...

***Note – this episode contains strong language.*** In this special bonus episode of Curve in Conversation, hear how hit-songwriting duo Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall composed brand-new music for MURIEL’S WEDDING THE MUSICAL. The acclaimed production is based on the iconic 90s film and had its world premiere in Australia in 2017. This spring, the musical will make its UK premiere at Curve wh...

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a look at some of the fantastic productions playing at Curve early next year.  Our host Martin Ballard catches up with Leicester local Kraig Thornber of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE , as Kraig talks about why he can’t wait to bring this magical show to his hometown in late January.  We also look back at Curve’s season preview to hear from Megan Ellis...

To celebrate the opening of our loverly Christmas production MY FAIR LADY , our host Martin Ballard recently made a visit behind-the-scenes of rehearsals for this classic musical comedy.  Hear from cast members David Seadon-Young , Minal Patel , Cathy Tyson , Andy Barke , Sarah Moyle and Steve Furst , as they bring you with them on their trip to 20th Century London.  Exploring their characters and...

Ahead of the opening of our Made at Curve Christmas Musical, MY FAIR LADY , Martin Ballard is joined by our very own Eliza Doolittle, Molly Lynch . In this loverly episode, Molly talks all about her journey into the world of theatre, and why she is excited to take on the lead role at Curve this festive season.  Also hear about the show from Artistic director Nikolai Foster , Chief Executive Chris...

Following the success of 2023’s staged reading, THE MOUNTAINTOP is back at Curve for a full-scale production. Our host Martin Ballard joined cast members Ray Strasser-King (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) and Justina Kehinde (Camae) in the rehearsal room as they prepared to showcase this thrilling and moving look into Martin Luther King ’s final hours.  Also appearing in this month’s episode is SIX ro...