Leicester’s Curve has congratulated Janie Dee for picking up the accolade of best performance in a musical in the 2013 UK Theatre Awards.
Janie Dee played Dolly Levi in Curve’s 2012 Christmas show Hello, Dolly! Frances Ruffelle, who took the role of Edith Piaf in Piaf at Curve, was nominated in the same category.
Both shows had extended runs at the Leicester theatre and were directed by Curve’s artistic director Paul Kerryson.
He said, “We’re thrilled that Janie has won the award and that her wonderful performance here at Curve has been recognised by the wider theatre industry.
“We also send our congratulations to Frances Ruffelle for her nomination.
“Hello, Dolly! and Piaf were both hugely successful productions for Curve and for Leicester, and continue to build our national profile for producing acclaimed musical productions.”
The Butterfly Lion, which originated at Curve in 2012 in a co-production with New Perspectives and Derby Theatre, was nominated in the best children and young people category.
Meanwhile, Curve has revealed that Kerryson will direct a new production of Hairspray, with David Witts as Link Larkin.
Witts is currently playing Joey Branning in BBC’s EastEnders, a role for which he won most popular newcomer at the National Television Awards in 2013 and best newcomer at the TV Choice Awards 2013.
The production opens on 5 March 2014, with previews from 28 February. It runs until 5 April.