Situated on Rutland Street in Leicester’s designated Cultural Quarter, Curve Theatre is one of the city centre’s most architecturally distinctive buildings. The theatre sits adjacent to the Leicester Athena conference and banqueting centre, and its glass façade opens the interior to street level in a way that few theatres manage. When two 18-tonne steel walls separating the stage from the foyer are raised, passers-by can see straight through to the stage from outside – an unusual feature that reflects the building’s design philosophy.
Architecture and Design
The building was designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, working alongside scenographers ducks scéno and Charcoalblue, acousticians Kahle Acoustics, and structural engineers Adams Kara Taylor. Mechanical and electrical systems, including environmental control of the theatre and foyer, were handled by Arup. Inside, the open-plan foyer gives views onto the café, bars, backstage area, and across the stage. Curve has two auditoria: the main Theatre, with 970 seats, and the smaller Studio, which holds 350 and has its own power flying system. When both spaces and their stages are combined, the total capacity reaches 1,300.
Opening and Funding
The theatre opened on 11 November 2008 with a celebratory show called Lift Off. Its official opening came on 4 December 2008, when Queen Elizabeth II attended the first performance of Simply Cinderella – a new musical written by Grant Olding and Toby Davies and directed by dancer Adam Cooper, which ran until January 2009. The project was funded through a partnership involving Leicester City Council, Arts Council England (with National Lottery money), the East Midlands Development Agency, Leicester Shire Economic Partnership, and the European Union’s ERDF fund. Undertaken by Lendlease, the construction was affected by cost increases that more than doubled the original estimates. Previously operating under the name Leicester Performing Arts Centre, Curve is now managed in association with Leicester Theatre Trust and Phoenix Arts Centre.
Productions
Since opening, Curve has staged a broad range of work. Notable productions have included In-I starring Juliette Binoche and Akram Khan, The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh with Marc Warren, and a Festival of Friel featuring Brian Friel’s Molly Sweeney and Translations. The theatre has also produced musicals including 42nd Street, Hello Dolly!, Chicago, Hairspray, The Sound of Music, and an adaptation of Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾.