Central returns to the Leicester Curve with its production of Alice
On 25 and 26 November, Central returned to the Curve Theatre in Leicester with its BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre, BA (Hons) Theatre Practice, MFA Scenography and MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching production of Alice.
The production toured to Leicester following a run in Central’s Courtyard Theatre from 16 – 18 November.
As a part of its tour to the Curve, which visited Leicester as a part of Central’s East Midlands Outreach Programme, 13 schools, colleges and youth groups from across Leicestershire were provided with free tickets to see Alice. Central students also delivered backstage tours, post-show Q&A sessions and 12 bespoke workshops. Nearly 400 young people from Leicestershire engaged with this year’s project, and all will receive free auditions if they choose to apply for any of the Central’s BA Acting courses.
The run also included a relaxed performance, offering a welcoming environment to those who may find the conventions of theatre challenging, and providing an inclusive environment for audiences to engage and participate in theatre, in a way that best suits them.
Central has been touring productions to the East Midlands since its 2012 production of Spring Awakening at the Guildhall Theatre in Derby. A collaborative partnership with DERBY LIVE! - established by Central’s BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre Course Leader Wendy Gadian and generously funded by the Pilkington Trust – soon followed.
Now in its 8th year, the unique, annual project aims to provide an opportunity for Central students who are about to embark on their professional careers to work and perform in a professional theatre under touring conditions. It also helps widen Central’s reach in the East Midlands and connects students and staff with local schools and community groups to encourage the next generation of young performers and theatre makers.
The East Midlands Outreach Project is now fully embedded in Central’s Outreach Programme as part of its commitment to raise aspiration and attainment, and encouraging progression to higher education and the creative arts.
Of the East Midlands Outreach Project and this year’s touring production of Alice, Central’s Access and Participation Manager Victoria Edwards said:
It’s so great to be back at the Curve again this year, it’s a highlight of the outreach programme and just so special to have schools and colleges in the audience in person once again.
Listen to Victoria and Maame talk about their work with Central Outreach on the Discover Central podcast.
About Alice
Curiouser and curiouser – follow us down the rabbit hole where we find Alice, not as the little girl we thought we always knew, but as her older self, in a muddle of memories where the lines between reality and make believe have become blurred.
We meet all the iconic characters in a dark re-imagining of Lewis Carrol’s extraordinary world that explores the power and fragility of the human mind.
Written and directed by Carl Prekopp, with live music composed and performed by the cast, this new play offers an imaginative vision of Alice which will take the audience on a magical ride through Wonderland.