I enjoy going to the theatre but I must confess I don’t go as often as I’d like. The last time I went was back in February to Curve (no definite article) to see the stage version of The Ladykillers. Written by Graham Linehan and based on the original 1955 film it was a great evening’s entertainment in a spectacular building.
Curve is Leicester’s new state-of the-art theatre, officially opened by the Queen in 2008. The building was designed by Rafael Viñoly and although massively over budget its frontage of curving glass and steel is something to behold. It is now the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter.
 |
| Curve with the Athena on the right and the Exchange Building on the left. |
To mark Curve’s opening the space outside the theatre was renamed Orton Square in honour of the playwright Joe Orton. Orton was born in Leicester in 1933 but left the city in 1951 to take up a place at RADA in London. He was murdered by his lover and mentor, Kenneth Halliwell in 1967 at the age of 34. He is best remembered for works such as Entertaining Mr Sloane, Loot and What the Butler Saw.
 |
| The Exchange Building, Leicester’s ‘flat iron building’ with Curve on the right. |
Athena, former Odeon Cinema now a conference centre and entertainment venue. 1936. Designed by Robert Arthur Bullivant in an art deco style.
Exchange Building. 1888. Designed by Stockdale Harrison of Leicester.
Church of St George. 1823-7. Architect William Parsons. Chancel built 1879 by Sir A. Blomfield. It was restored in 1911 by W.D. Caroe after a fire. Originally Anglican, it is now a Serbian Orthodox Church. Commercial premises, (the snooker hall building). C1900. Edwardian Baroque Style.  |
| Entrance to St George’s Church. |
 |
| Looking across Orton Square from Curve towards the snooker hall and entrance to St George’s Church. Athena just visible on the left. |
I work just a few yards from here at LCB, Sally. It's an interesting and previously run down part of town that is finally being restored to it's former glory.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note - really wish I'd made the effort to see Lady Killers - love the film and I'm a big fan of Graham Linehan. See you on Saturday.
Kelly's Eye - Writing, Music, Life
Thanks for a great post. The buildings are spectacular and I love the 'Victorian' style flat iron Exchange building. Born in Glasgow there used to be a few corners like that, but I doubt if they exist now.(Not lived there for decades) I've only once been to Leicester back in the 1970s when I went to what was said (at the time) to be the best UK Indian Restaurant and people drove for miles to sample it. Nancy at Welcome to she said, he said
ReplyDelete