Leicester’s Curve had one of the theatre’s most successful years in 2022–23, its annual report has revealed.
Spanning the first full year of in-person performances and activities since the pandemic, Curve welcomed 249,900 audience members to see work on its stages. More than 840,000 tickets were sold at the theatre’s Leicester home and on tour.
During the year, Curve produced and co-produced nine shows, including Billy Elliot the Musical, winner of the UK Theatre Award for best musical production and the WhatsOnStage award for best regional production, The Wizard of Oz, which went on to play at the London Palladium, and the first England and Wales tour of The Color Purple.
Curve continued its commitment to supporting and developing local artists with more than 1,100 creatives, theatre-makers and practitioners taking part in its artist development sessions across the year and 44 artists taking part in its new work festival.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said, “in the first full year we’ve been able to welcome audiences in-person since the pandemic, it’s a testament to all the terrific artists, creatives, practitioners and partners that we can report 2022/23 as arguably Curve’s most successful year to date in so many ways.
“On stage, we’ve shared phenomenal work, and off stage there is equal cause for celebration, with our community, learning and artist development work thriving.
“While we celebrate these highlights, we must also consider these achievements within the context of a challenging landscape. This year has seen soaring production costs, rising electricity rates—leaving our theatre facing a six-figure bill increase—and a cost-of-living crisis squeezing budgets further.
“We know the next few years will continue to be a challenge for both Curve and our industry, but we remain ambitious and determined for our future success.”