Advertise on podcast: Curve in Conversation

In this episode, step inside the rehearsal room for our upcoming Made at Curve production of EDUCATING RITA, directed by Curve’s Associate Director Cara Nolan (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?). Host Martin Ballard speaks to Alexandra Mardell (Rita), Dominic Mafham (Frank) and Associate Director Martha Kent about why this much-loved play remains so relevant today, the rehearsal process, and why audiences should step into the study with Rita and Frank this autumn. EDUCATING RITA plays at Curve from Saturday 26 September to Saturday 17 October.

In this month's instalment of Curve in Conversation, step behind the curtain of SYLVIA, THE LAST LAUGH and Curve's very own stage.  Hear from Beverley Knight as she discusses reprising her Olivier award winning role as Emmeline Pankhurst in SYLVIA, bringing Suffragette history to life on stage and what it means to kick off the UK tour here in Leicester. Portraying the legendary comedian Tommy Cooper, Damian Williams shares how it feels to depict his idol in THE LAST LAUGH, coming to Curve this October. Dave Norton, Curve's Head of Sound and Video, and Eden Lorinson, Curve's Head of Wardrobe, discuss their roles behind the scenes, their routes into the industry and what it takes to bring productions to life on Curve's stages and beyond.

Step inside the rehearsal room for the world stage premiere of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.  In this latest instalment of Curve in Conversation, host Martin Ballard is joined by Oliver Farnworth (Jack Crawford), Mark Peachey (Lucas, Pilcher, Greg and understudy Buffalo Bill), Andrew Joshi (Peterson, Lamar, Pembry and understudy Jack Crawford) and Mary Timbrell Hill (Ensemble) as they discuss bringing one of the world’s most iconic psychological thrillers to the stage for the first time.

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's impact and how your support allows technicians like Amber to build backstage careers. Find out more about Shine, as Kay Hardiman (Director of Creative Programmes) reflects on the first year of this creative partnership with the Randal Foundation to support young people's mental health and wellbeing in Leicester. THE CHOIR OF MAN, the worldwide smash hit, comes to Curve this July. Hear from Joshua Lloyd (Barman) as he discusses why so many love this uplifting musical and the show's journey through the years.

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 joined by Kyla Stroud (Writer/Composer), Hannah Sands (Writer/Director), Natalie Stroud (Writer/Choreographer) and Cole Dennis (playing Laura) as they discuss the process of creating a new musical, the pop-rock score and the show's journey from the Edinburgh Fringe to Leicester.

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 the stage, depicting the real life 'Barnum of Burnley' and creating a brand new British musical.

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 production's history and test their Kander and Ebb knowledge.

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 contemporary audience and reflect on the significance of staging the musical in the UK for the first time in over 30 years.

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 Midlands artist or theatre company? Find out more and sign up to Curve Connect, our free community hub for theatre-makers in the region - https://www.curveonline.co.uk/artists/get-involved-call-out-for-artists-curve-connect/

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), Louie Wood (Ensemble) and the team at Performing Pets.

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 this much-loved festive musical.  Plus, step behind the curtain as tour leader Chandni Mistry takes host Martin Ballard on one of our popular Curve Tours. Together, they explore parts of the building rarely seen by the public — from the Studio theatre’s backstage spaces to the vibrant costume department — offering a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world that brings our theatre to life. Don’t forget to book your tour for 2026!  Finally, we blast off to outer space with the cast of ALIENS LOVE PANTA CLAUS. Local performers Yasmin Parekh and Callum Concepcion, who play Elf and DJ Rudy, share all the festive fun, music and mayhem audiences can expect from this year’s Made at Curve family Christmas show.  Hear all this and more in December’s episode of Curve in Conversation.

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 of 20th-century history woven into its lyrics.  For this special episode of Curve in Conversation, we are joined by show creators Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson as they reveal how the show came about in the first place, and how one major event in music history led to a song of such significance.  Tune in and discover the stories behind the song — and the show — in this bonus episode!

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 season in Leicester.  Also joining Martin on his trip to Salzburg (aka. the rehearsal room) are cast members Aviva Tulley, Minal Patel, Mark Peachy and Choreographer Ebony Molina.  Do not miss your chance to get this exclusive look behind-the-scenes at Curve!

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, we work hard to ensure the magic of live theatre is accessible for all. To shine a light on the range of performances we offer, Audiences and Access Coordinator Lisa Brain joins us to talk about upcoming access performances, including British Sign Language interpreted, Relaxed, Dementia Friendly and more.  To wrap things up, host Martin Ballard chats with comedy duo Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel – better known as ERIC & ERN! Discover how their tribute to the legendary Morecambe and Wise began with impromptu impressions at a golf club and grew into a full-scale production, exclusively at Curve this January. Marking the 100th birthdays of the icons, expect all your favourite sketches and plenty of laughs.

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 & GERTIE prepares to introduce audiences to a world of laughter, music and showbiz charm. Gary Tushaw will take on the role of Noël Coward, and he shares why his character’s friendship with Gertrude Lawrence became so admired. Our fantastic runners are preparing to take part in the Run Leicester Half Marathon and 10km as part of the Curve Run Challenge. By taking part, our representatives will raise money to help support Curve's mission to ensure all young people, regardless of their background or financial circumstances, can access, enjoy and shape the future of theatre. Martin speaks to Laura Kearsley of Nelsons all about why she has volunteered to run for Team Curve. Also in this episode, hear more from Curve's Senior Lighting Technician and Curve Young & Community Company (CYCC) Tech group leader, Nathan Clamp, who tells us more about inspiring the next generation of theatre technicians.