A trio of new Made at Curve productions for 2020 have been revealed, with an enchanting musical, classic drama and brand new dance piece set to take to the theatre’s stages.
The announcements were made by Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster at Curve’s Season Preview event last night, where audiences enjoyed exclusive discussions and performances at the theatre.
Speaking about Curve’s plans for 2020 productions, Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster said: “Diversity and eclecticism sit at the heart of our theatre and city and we are excited to present a new slate of projects stretching across 2020.
“Alongside our already announced shows, we are thrilled to announce the return of Associate Artist Aakash Odedra with a brand new Curve co-commission, Samsara. And it’s made all the more exciting by Aakash’s collaboration with Chinese artist Hu Shenyuan.
“Musicals continue to play a huge part in our journey and Kirsten Guenther & Paul Blake’s adaptation of Roman Holiday will bring Italian chic, the great songs of Cole Porter and a bit of la dolce vita to our stage this summer.
“It’s been a joy working with Royal Theatrical Support Trust, colleagues at English Touring Theatre, Rose Theatre Kingston and Alexandra Palace and we are delighted to be working with rising star director Anthony Almeida on his bold reimagining of Williams’s magnificent play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”
From 15 Jul – 1 Aug, Curve will create a brand new UK premiere production of musical Roman Holiday, based on the 1953 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Directed by Nikolai Foster (West Side Story, White Christmas), the musical will feature songs from American Composer Cole Porter including Easy to Love, Just One Of Those Things and Night and Day.
It was also announced that Anthony Almeida, winner of the 2019 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award, will direct a production of Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with set and costume design by Rosanna Vize (Hedda Gabler, Sherman Theatre). A Made at Curve, Rose Theatre Kingston, English Touring Theatre (ETT) and Alexandra Palace co-production supported by grant funding from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST), the drama will run at Curve 11 – 26 Sep. The production will then visit Alexandra Palace and Rose Theatre Kingston ahead of a UK tour.
Curve is also co-commissioning a new major dance collaboration from Curve Associate Artist Aakash Odedra and Hu Shenyuan, two of the greatest champions of culturally-specific dance forms from their respective countries of origin, India and China. The international tour of Samsara from the Aakash Odedra Company and Bagri Foundation, co-commissioned with Birmingham Hippodrome, begins in Melbourne, Australia this March and comes to Curve 20 – 21 Oct.
Curve also revealed that its hit Made at Curve production of Hairspray would be returning on 20 – 29 Aug to open a new UK tour.
Tickets for all shows go on sale to Curve Friends and Supporters Tue 14 Jan, Members Wed 15 Jan, Groups Fri 17 Jan and on general sale on 21 Jan, all at 12pm.
For more information and to book, visit www.curveonline.co.uk. Alternatively, call 0116 242 3595 or visit Curve’s Box Office.
