Leicester Mercury

Stage set for festival of the arts

FREE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS IN THE SQUARE OUTSIDE THEATRE

- By BECKY JONES rebeccajon­es@leicesterm­ercury.co.uk @JournoBeck­y

FREE live outdoor performanc­es and activities are being laid on to celebrate the reopening of the city.

Curve on the Square, starting this week, will see a stage built in Orton Square outside the theatre, with artists and community groups providing entertainm­ent for all ages.

On Fridays between 6pm and 9pm and Saturdays from 6pm to 8pm, there will be a of performanc­es from music to dance and spoken word. Each Saturday from 10am to noon, artists will lead activities for children and families. Then, from 2pm to 4pm, a range of acts will take to the stage, including beatboxers, musical theatre performers and more.

Each event will be free with no need to book and during every session Curve will operate an outdoor bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. Chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said: “It is always a joy to collaborat­e with the city council and BID Leicester on events like Curve on the Square, which brings us all together and celebrates the rich culture and diversity of our great city.

“Emerging from the pandemic, now more than ever, we all have a role to play in ensuring our city centre is alive once more, bringing us all together to enjoy free live perforvari­ety mances by our superb artists and community groups.”

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “We want to support Leicester’s economic recovery by encouragin­g families to return to the city centre and enjoy our cafes, shops, cinemas, restaurant­s and, of course, theatres once again.

“Curve on the Square, with its exciting programme of free live performanc­e and activities in the heart of the cultural quarter, is another great reason for people to visit and explore our fantastic city centre this summer.”

Inside the theatre there will be a free community poetry exhibition.

It includes poems and a film created by members of Curve’s Community Creative Writing Challenge group, led by Leicester poets Mr Shay and Ty’rone Haughton, as well as a filmed piece by Jess Green.

Curve on the Square is another great reason for people to visit and explore our fantastic city centre

Peter Soulsby

 ?? CHRiS GoRDoN ?? VENUE: Orton Square and Curve theatre
CHRiS GoRDoN VENUE: Orton Square and Curve theatre

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