On Sunday August 26th 2018, Curve theatre, led by Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster with their fantastic Curve Team, celebrated its 10th Birthday with an epic Concert of Music, Dance and Drama, for a live audience of 1,500 (live stream internet audience also courtesy of PRS/PPL) in the round. This featured a stunning array of stars from Stage & TV, e.g. Sam Bailey, Jodie Prenger(Host), Lucie Jones(Host), Anton Stephans, Melanie La Barrie, Mark Peachey, Amara Okereke, Dex Lee, Stewart Clarke, Djalenga Scott,Dan Burton, Alyshia Dhakk, Alex Parker,Nathaniel Landskroner, Jessica Paul, Sheep Soup, Molly Lynch. Most of whom featured in the many successful shows over the years at Curve. In addition there were other associated marvelous local artists onstage e.g. Akash Odedra, Curve Young Company, Over 55’s Dance Company and Carol Leeming Dare to Diva company. All in all the event was a total triumph, a magical memorable, wondrous evening was enjoyed by all.
Carol’s contribution, to this celebratory party, was to read a poem titled Curve Leicester- An Undulating Though , which she had written specially to celebrate Curve’s 10th Birthday. This poem and her reading of it was very well received by the audience, who were so very quiet, as Carol spoke in the poem passionately of Curve: the building, its people and their work, and what she felt about all of that. Carol received many compliments on the poem, her reading of it and her eye catching afrocentric attire. From Curve Staff members, both artistic and technical, alongside young people from CYC (Curve Young Company) and audience members, With many of them commenting the poem had really captured something about Curve in a very unique and special way. Much to Carol’s delight, she said of the “I felt so honoured, humbled to take part in this incredible concert, alongside so many hugely talented artists, with the biggest audience I have ever had for my poetry such a pleasure.”
The show ended with some words of thanks from Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster, for the continued support of funders Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and importantly Hastings Direct, who sponsored the entire evenings event, which enabled FREE Tickets for the audience. Followed by Happy birthday song pyrotechnics and rendition of This Is Me. (The Greatest Showman Film) sung by Lucie Jones being joined by the entire team of artists that took part in the show. The feel good feelings were felt throughout the building, spilling over into an animated, euphoric atmosphere of the After Party in the Foyer Bar. An unforgettable night that paves the way for even bigger success and bright future for Curve.
dare to diva 