CURVE COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PERFORM AS PART OF THE KING RICHARD III REINTERMENT AT LEICESTER CATHEDRAL

On Friday 27 March, more than 70 performers from the local community will celebrate the reinterment of King Richard III at Leicester Cathedral, by performing an original piece of theatre devised by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster and choreographer Mel Knott, as part of the Service of Reveal of the Tomb and Celebration for King Richard III.

The company – made up of local people aged between 8 and 70 years with dance skills spanning everything from hip-hop to ballet – will perform the piece which consists of three segments, throughout the course of the final reinterment service, each inspired by ‘conflict’, ‘reconciliation’ and ‘future collaboration’. Each section will combine movement and dance with traditional choral music, plus original compositions created especially for the piece by Leicester-based drum ‘n’ bass composer, Rob Heslop.

A sculpture designed by Tony-nominated theatre designer Matthew Wright will form a centrepiece for the ceremonial performance, whilst the new resting place for the former monarch in the heart of the cathedral will also be revealed during Curve’s performance.

Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster commented: “We are honoured the Cathedral has asked Curve to be a part of this historic occasion, and to join in celebrating the legacy of King Richard III. We have an astonishing community ensemble from many different backgrounds, which fully reflects the brilliant diversity of our great city and county. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us involved in this project, and we are all relishing this unique opportunity.” 

The Very Revd David Monteith, Dean of Leicester, said: “The service in which the tomb will be revealed looks to the future and tries to learn from the past. I am so glad Curve’s performers have responded to our invitation with such imagination. They will add a great sense of vitality and they will show how King Richard III’s story will go on inspiring new artistic response for generations to come.”