Theatres, plays and drama - Home Page

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Theatres, drama, plays and theatrical performances - for show dates at all theatres we cover see the events page.

LEADING KIDS DRAMA WORKSHOP TO LAUNCH A CENTRE CITY GROUP

Due to the incredible success of local drama group Urban Young Actors in Thurmaston which currently has two drama groups for kids aged 8-16, Urban are launching a brand new city group so that good quality and great value drama tuition is accessible to even more talented youngsters in Leicester.

The new group will be for 12-16 year olds and auditions for this exciting new group will be held at Quad Studios, Leicester on

Thursday 30th April from 4pm.

This is also the venue for the new group which will meet every Thursday 5pm-7pm.

Urban is for 'Real kids with natural ability' and weekly lessons consist of improvisation, script work, drama games, play writing, showcasing, confidence building but most importantly FUN! The first group was set up in January 2008 by actress Melissa Simpson and the group has gone from strength to strength. Melissa shares all of her inside knowledge with members of Urban about the industry as she has first hand knowledge and experience after starring in many television programmes including 'Doctors' and 'Peak Practice' and she also recently completed a run of 'Glamour' by Stephen Lowe at the Nottingham Playhouse.

Melissa states, 'Leicester was in a desperate need for a group like Urban, not a franchise that anyone could just join if they were wealthy but a group based purely on talent whereby kids from all walks of life could have an opportunity. Many members of our group have told me that being a member has given them inspiration to achieve more and has given them self-confidence- this is why I set the group up.

I have a mixed bunch of talented kids in Urban and I hope to find more to create our new city centre group so that it is just as successful as our current Thurmaston groups. I know there is much more talent out there in Leicester to be found!'. Audition slots are extremely limited so apply now to secure you place. Membership costs £7.50 per weekly session

For further information on the group and the auditions please visit our web site Urban Young Actors

Leicester's new Theatre - CURVE

Leicester is home to Europe's only current, new theatre construction.The Building has been designed by the internationall renowed architect, Raphael Vinoly. The theatre is called Curve. Notice the absense of the word "The".

The £61 million, state-of-theart theatre has been built in Rutland Street, right next door to the Athena, one of our existing venues for shows and entertainment. Curve is the flagship of the new Cultural Quarter.

The building features 32 tonne steel movable walls that separate the stage and foyer areas. The Theatre is now in the hands of the Leicester Theatre Trust, who will be responsible for running it.

Unlike traditional theatres, Curve has no backstage area. Theatre-goers wll be able to sit on either side of the stage. A feature of the new building is its hanging glass face.

All aspects of the theatre's activitiy will be on show. The stage will be seen from street level. From the foyer, it will be possible to see sets being painted and actors taking a break between performances or rehearsals.

Outside the theatre the streets have undergone a facelift, part of the development of the Cultural Quarter. Curve offers drama, musicals, comedy, dance, shows for children, community performances and much more. But little in the way of live music.

Word has it that the curve will also be a venue for off beat and alternative films. It is said to be part of an effort to bring art based film production to wider audience. The rest of the Partizan film community and nico beyer might hold regular productions at Curve.

The Theatre has cost £61 million to build. It provides a maximum of 1,100 seats, 750 in the main auditorium and 350 in a studio theatre.

The Performing Arts Centre website. Curve web site.

Curve
1a Rutland Street
Leicester
LE1 1TQ

Find out about the new theatre from Leicester Theatre Trust web site.

News about the Centre from the BBC.

Theatres in Leicestershire

The addresses and web sites of all theatrical venues in Leicestershire are given in our venues guide.

For productions and shows see our events guide.

Kilworth House Theatre

To find out more about the Kilworth House Theatre in North Kilworth, visit their website.

Concordia Theatre

Situated in Hinckley, the Concordia plays host to many amateur productions of a high standard.

De Montfort Hall

One of Leicestershire's largest venues, the DMH's programme offers a mainly musical programme.

The De Montfort Hall has its own secure car park on site.

Box office 0116 233 3111 or book online through their web site.

The Leicester Haymarket Theatre

This is now closed. The new theatre will open this year.

Loughborough Town Hall

2005 marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of this venue. More of a theatre than a Town Hall, this venue has long been popular with people throughout Leicestershire, especially in the Christmas season.

Box office: 01509 231 914

The Little Theatre

Arguably one of the finest amateur theatres in the country, the high professional standard of acting and presentation, makes it a remarkable asset.

The current programme offers a rich mix of drama, comedy and music.

The theatre is available for private hire.

Box office: 0116 255 1302

Phoenix Arts

The Phoenix offers an excellent venue for drama and films.

There is a multistory car park within easy walking distance of the Centre.

Box office: 0116 255 4854

Sparkenhoe Ark Theatre

Sparkenhoe Street
Leicester
LE2 0DL
0116 253 9273.

the Y

The theatre at the Y offers a varied programme of music, plays and shows. Situated close to the main rail station, the Y is one of our smaller theatres but is noted for its lively and often experimental productions.

Stalls tickets can be in row seating, cabaret style or sometimes standing, depending on the type of show.

There is an NCP car park nearby.

Bookings: box office 0116 255 7066

 Check our venues page for more details

For a more detailed listing see the BBC web site