THEATRE REVIEW: THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AT CURVE, LEICESTER

Last Updated on 20th November 2023 by Bejal

The Curve: A New Reworked Theatre

Leicester welcomed the return of theatre to our city with a bang! There is no better accolade than to launch the new season at our city’s theatre than to dedicate a show to the godfather of musicals, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Disclosure: I received a press invite to experience ‘The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber’. All opinions and views are my own and along with non-production photography remain a copyright of be-lavie.

Please note: All production photography is credited to Ellie Kurttz

After a long and arduous 15 months for the city and the Curve theatre, it has been no more than a labour of love to see the work the staff have put into making the auditorium and whole theatre experience an absolute rapture!

Walking into Curve, I couldn’t have been more proud of the work the theatre has put in, especially the safety measures. There are now two entrances, which are allocated as per seat location, a one-way system, infra-red temperature monitoring, an at seat drinks service via a QR code as well as sanitation stations. The biggest change is the seating configuration, which is now in singular seats, pairs, or quartets. The revolver stage is 360° and kindly donated by Cameron Mackintosh and seating is located around the stage with the theatre being down to a third of it’s capacity for each performance.

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber Performance

Take your seat, get comfortable for the next 2 hours 40 mins (including a 20 minute interval)  and prepare to be blown away by some of the best voices I have truly ever heard in musical theatre.

The show concentrates on the musicals as well as other scores Andrew Lloyd Webber has written throughout his career.  Call it a porthole into decades of his fabulous compositions. The incredibly selected cast members, who all have taken and still take leading roles in all Andrew’s musicals on the West End, will transport you effortlessly through his music. Interspersed between each set of songs, there is a VT of Andrew walking the historic streets of Leicester, talking us through the magic of the stories, inspiration and personal anecdotes of the songs. He even talks about some of the errors he made with certain shows, reflecting a great adoration and devotion of his personality to his craft. These never heard before stories and his personal involvement with Leicester elevated the show in my opinion and just added the cherry on the cake of what was a truly special and memorable evening.

I’m sure even if you’re not the greatest fan of musical theatre, you will most definitely recognise a few of the songs in the show. The evening is bursting with hits from shows like Phantom, Cats, Evita, Joseph & His Technicolour Dreamcoat, Starlight Express just to mention a few.

The Cast of performers are truly knockout as I mentioned previously, all West End stars and between them there were 3 Eva Perons and 2 Phantoms. Oh yes the game was high!

Personally there were a few standout performances that resonated for me from my love of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music over the years.

Madalena Alberto who previously played Eva Peron in Evita in the West End completely stole the show as she gave a highly charged and emotional performance of the former first lady of Argentina singing ‘Don’t Cry for me Argentina’. She translated the triumphant but sad story of Eva beautifully in the hit song. Her effortless skill in drawing the audience into character was award worthy in itself.

Jessica Daly’s performance as Christine in Phantom had the auditorium in pin-drop silence as she hit the high octave at the end of the title song and was rewarded by a dumbfounded applause.

Ria Jones, who we’ve seen on many occasions at Curve sang a beautiful version of Memories and was faultless as usual.

Unfortunately, one of the cast members, Karen Mavundukure had a foot injury and thus vowed the show must go on and sang from her wheelchair position at the side of the stage and centre when singing solo.

Curve is Back

15 Months ago, I stood outside the doors of Curve ready to watch Phantom of the Opera, only to be told that the Prime Minister had announced they would have to close immediately. My heart sank. Thanks to this show, the city of Leicester is able to experience some of the glory of Phantom so thankyou Andrew Lloyd Webber for bringing the city something to look forward to and being personally involved in our wonderful city.

Theatre and the arts have suffered tremendously through the past 15 months and this show symbolises, the return of Curve with even more resilience in entertaining the culture and arts lovers of the city and maybe even turning some that aren’t!

It was so lovely to hear the artists, industry workers and others mesmerised with Curve and hold it in such high esteem and have chosen to be involved in the theatre and it’s future.

It’s been a long 15 months for everyone, of course, but especially for those involved in theatre and live performance. It was just brilliant seeing the performers back on stage, the theatre back to life and the audience enraptured once again.

Be-lavie Tips:

• Book NOW to avoid disappointment as this is truly one of the most spectacular, goosebump, spine tingling shows I’ve seen performed at Curve. On until 19 June 2021.
• Remember to take a coverup/jacket as the temperature is a little cooler to improve the ventilation of the auditorium and communal spaces.
• Tickets are emailed and can be shown electronically to theatre staff
• Programme is Free for this show and can be downloaded electronically via the Curve website.

• Address: The Curve. Alexandra House, 60 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB
• Box Office: 0116 242 3595
• Box Office Email: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
• Website: Curve Theatre.

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