Curve Theatre was designed by the architect
Rafael Viñoly in association with the scenographers
ducks scéno and Charcoalblue and the acousticians Kahle Acoustics;
Adams Kara Taylor engineered the structure for the project whilst the Mechaical and Electrical design, including environmental controlof the theatre and foyer, and cabling distribution for theatre equipment and lighting, were by
Arup. Curve stands in the centre of what the City Council calls the new "Cultural Quarter" on Rutland Street. It features two auditoria, one with 970 seats (referred to as the Theatre) while a 350-seat auditorium (referred to as the Studio) provides a smaller space with its own power
flying system. The Theatre, Studio and their stages can also be opened up to create one large space with a capacity of 1,300. When the 2 18 tonne steel walls separating the stage and the foyer are lifted, the stage is visible from street level. The glass façade encloses an open plan foyer with views onto the café, bars, backstage area, and across the stage. The theatre was built by a partnership of
Leicester City Council,
Arts Council England (with funds from
The National Lottery),
East Midlands Development Agency, Leicester Shire Economic Partnership, with the project part-financed by the European Union (ERDF), in partnership with Leicester Theatre Trust and in association with
Phoenix Arts Centre. The project, which was undertaken by
Lendlease, was blighted by huge cost increases that more than doubled the initial estimates. The theatre opened on 11 November 2008 with a celebratory opening show called
Lift Off. This was followed by
Simply Cinderella, which ran from 4 December 2008 (the day it was officially opened by Queen
Elizabeth II) until 24 January 2009 – a new musical of the fairytale, written by Grant Olding and Toby Davies, and directed by dancer
Adam Cooper. ==Selected productions==