Spectacular shows and a warm welcome at The Curve, Leicester

Posted by Coach Tours UK on | No Comments
Spectacular shows and a warm welcome at The Curve, Leicester

The friendly team at this magnificent theatre in the heart of historic Leicester invites coaching groups to experience brilliant world class entertainment, lots of group benefits and a delicious meal, all at great value for money.

School and collage groups are also catered for and offered ticket discounts and other benefits for groups of 10+. Benefits include:

• Discounted rates for selected shows (further discounts apply to groups of 20+ and 50+)
• No transaction fees and free postage
• An option to reserve your tickets and pay at a later date via invoice
• Free teacher tickets for school groups (one free ticket for every 10 booked)
• An option to pre-order drinks and ice creams for your convenience
• Bespoke backstage tour can be arranged
• Access to exclusive hospitality and dining packages

To book or discuss your  group requirements contact the Group Sales team on 0116 242 3595 or email groupbookings@curvetheatre.co.uk

 

Curve looks forward to Cameron Mackintosh’s Spectacular Production of Miss Saigon

Monday 3 July – Saturday 22 July 2017

Curve is delighted that Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical Miss Saigon – a recent smash hit in the West End – will embark on a major UK tour opening at Curve from Monday 3 July 2017.

Miss Saigon tells the story of young bar girl named Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with Chris, an American GI – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.

www.miss-saigon.com

 Don’t miss Curve’s  new production of Grease The Musical

… hits the stage from the 26th November. We headed over to the Rydell High headquarters at Curve to chat to Sandy, Jessica Paul and Danny, Dex Lee to find out why they’re hopelessly devoted to the show.

ONSTAGECURVEGREASENew Image

Welcome to Leicester, Is this your first time here or at Curve?

Dex: It’s actually the second time I’ve been at the Curve. I was in a show called Hairspray, last year playing the role of Seaweed.  I am very excited to be back here in Leicester as I didn’t get much chance to explore the city before.

Jess: It’s the first time here for me. Curve’s fantastic; I’ve never performed in a theatre as big so it’s an amazing experience and I’m really enjoying it.

So how did you get into acting?  

Dex: Well actually I remember seeing a show my Sister was in and it was a massive tap number performance. It was from watching her do that that I realised that I wanted to be on the stage. From that initial realisation I then went on to progress into taking up Ballet and then going into singing and acting. I then went to do a three year course at Arts Ed in London.

Jess : I got involved in lots of amateur productions. I was quite academic and actually it was my singing teacher at the time who told me I should really go for it and audition for drama school.  I really enjoyed that big family feel you get with a lot amateur theatre groups and it’s been the same with Grease; the rest of the cast and everyone at Curve have been  so welcoming. Over a period of time you get so close to people and make friends for life.

So how did you both initially get involved with Grease?

Dex: When I got the call from my agent, saying that I had an audition for the lead role, Danny  I was like ha, ok great let’s see how this goes. I actually wanted to work with Nikolai for ages as he’d directed something at Arts Ed and it was one of the best shows I’d ever seen at my college. So after I knew that he was directing this and knowing Grease is such a classic story, I just had to get on board. Nikolai asked us to write a monologue in the style of the character, going into their background and he wanted it to reflect the nitty gritty of 1950’s. It was one of the first auditions that I had to delve into the research and even that process alone was incredible, I loved it. I went into the room, did my monologue, sang the song Sandy and then very luckily Nikolai liked what he saw and now we’re here.

Jess: For me it was quite a short audition process to be honest. We had a dance call and then I was called back in to sing and do some scene work with Nikolai and that was it really. I’ve not been out of drama school that long, so for me it was really nerve wracking time; most auditions are once you come out of drama school!  My first performance prior to this was in Titanic at Charing Cross, so I’ve had a bit of experience but this is my first leading role and it’s very exciting.

How much did you both know about Grease?

Dex: Who doesn’t know Grease? It’s like everything that happens in Grease is relatable for everyone on every level, from first love, heartbreak, to trying to stay with the cool kids. Because it’s such a relatable and classic story, it’s very much a staple of musical theatre and it resonates with some people’s lives. It’s an incredible show and story.

Jess: Everyone’s seen the film and when I saw it I loved it, but I haven’t seen the stage performance.  Now working on the production I have noticed that there are quite a few differences. When I read the script there were parts that were completely different to the film. With Nikolai’s production, he’s added parts from the original production and I think it’s going to make it very real. Not as cutesy like the film, a bit more gritty but still a huge amount of fun.

So tell us about the leading characters, Danny and Sandy.

Dex: Danny is on the outside, Mr cool, top of the class and finds everything very easy but inside he’s just as vulnerable as the rest of us. He’s actually a very flawed character as he is head strong and needs to be the alpha male and that’s his downfall as it almost makes him loose Sandy, the first girl he’s actually ever loved.

Jess: Sandy is a middle class all American girl that’s recently moved to a new place and met a boy, Danny. For me Sandy can be very miss judged as being weak but I think she’s really strong; she doesn’t transform herself for anyone else but for her, she does it on her terms.

Are there any similarities between yourself and the characters in Grease you are playing?

Dex: There are many moments that I have read it and thought oh I’m in a way like him. For example he can be quite a jerk. Maybe that’s why I got cast, clearly Nikolai saw elements of that in me too! (laughs).

Jess: I think I relate to her in a lot of ways as well because I can be quite nervous and self-conscious, but I also have that strength in me. It’s lovely to play a part I can really connect to.

What is it do you think about Grease that makes it so appealing to audiences? 

Dex: I think that because it is such a timeless story and that it explores all the emotions that we can all relate to in our lives, it’s very reminiscent of a simpler time where your biggest worries were about whether someone likes you or getting your homework in on time. At the time it is set in there was a huge era of change, there was a massive surge in change from the very prim and proper 50’s to the rock and roll of the 6o’s.

Jess: It’s iconic and it’s a family based show. All my family are coming to see it and I know my little sister is going to love it – I’m really excited for them to see it.

What’s your favourite part of the show?

Dex: Nikolai has taken songs and parts of the original production from the 1970s and incorporated it into this piece. So I was like this is awesome as well as singing the classic Sandy, I’ve got some songs that people may not have heard before. It’s almost like Grease XL!

Jess: I love the song, Hopelessly Devoted and to be able to sing that on the stage is going to be fantastic.

Grease opens on 1 December, with previews from 26th November, and runs until 21st January. So round-up your Burger Palace Boys, pick up your Pink Ladies and get ready to burn up the quarter mile this Christmas! For tickets and further information visit www.curveonline.co.uk or call 0116 242 3595.