Hairspray first of musical-packed Curve season

New productions of Hairspray, Water Babies, The Sound of Music and Barnum are all heading to the Leicester Curve in 2014.

Not long now until the venue’s new production of Olivier Award-winning musical Hairspray opens (28 February–5 April, press night is 5 March), staged by the venue’s artistic director Paul Kerryson.

Leading the cast are: David Witts as Link Larkin, John Barr (Wilbur Turnblad), Samara Casteallo (Little Inez), Rebecca Craven (Tracy Turnblad), Sophie-Louise Dann (Velma Von Tussle), Tyrone Huntley (Seaweed), Cleopatra Joseph (Dynamite), Claudia Kariuki (Motormouth Maybelle), Jasmine Kerr (Dynamite), Zizi Strallen (Penny Pingleton), Vicki Lee Taylor (Amber Von Tussle), Callum Train (Corny Collins), Sharon Wattis (Dynamite) and Damian Williams (Edna Turnblad).

Also in the ensemble are Michelle Andrews, Lucy Ashenden, Charlie Bull, Joseph Connor, Matt Gillet, Matt Jones, Sorelle Marsh and Ryan Pidgen.

Lauren Samuels joins the cast of the new musical Water Babies

Water Babies:

Lauren Samuels joins Louise Dearman in the world premiere of the brand new musical inspired by Charles Kingsley’s classic novel The Water Babies (running at the Curve from 24 April–17 May).

Hinckley-born actress Lauren Samuels returns to the Curve where she made her professional stage debut playing Wendy in Peter Pan the Musical.

Following her success in BBC talent search Over the Rainbow, Samuels made her West End debut as Sandy in the hit musical Grease (Piccadilly Theatre). She then starred as Scaramouche in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) and on its tenth anniversary world arena tour.

Directed by Ed Curtis, with music by Chris Egan, and book and lyrics by Curtis and Guy Jones, The Water Babies will open on 6 May 2014, with previews from the 24 April, and runs until 17 May. The Water Babies will be produced by Peter Shaw and Joanna Cecil for Water Babies Musical UK Limited.

The Sound of Music:

Next Christmas, the Curve Leicester will present a brand new version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. Directed by Paul Kerryson, the musical will open on 3 December 2014, with previews from 28 November, and runs until 17 January 2015.

The Curve’s acclaimed Christmas shows during the last five years have included Chicago, Hello, Dolly!, The King and I and 42nd Street.

Barnum:

Curve will also be opening Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison’s national tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre production of the musical Barnum. Starring Brian Conley in the title role, Barnum runs at the Curve from 5–13 September 2014.

Curve artistic director, Paul Kerryson commented: “We are all very thrilled to announce two fantastic family musicals in Curve’s autumn season. After the razzle dazzle of 1920s Chicago we will transport you from cell block to convent and to the snowy mountains of 1930s Austria for the perfect Christmas treat with The Sound of Music. This follows Curve’s highly successful production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I that toured the UK in 2012. We’re also delighted to welcome Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison’s production of the spectacular musical, Barnum, which will open its highly anticipated national tour here in Leicester.”