60 Rutland Street Leicester Leicestershire LE1 1SB
Telephone
0116 242 3560
Station
Description
Opened Autumn 2008. Curve features two auditoria, one with 750 fixed seats while a 350 seat auditorium will provide a versatile smaller space. When the 32 tonne steel walls separating the stage and the foyer are lifted, the stage will be visible from street level.
The sounds that drove the Disco Generation set the stage for this hilarious night of glamour, glitz and total mayhem. Just listening to the opening of Dancing Queen or I Will Survive will bring back heady memories of hot summers, even hotter pants, loads of mascara, platform shoes and hair styles that defy all description. Hot Stuff is the Faustus story re-told in songs - sweet songs, rotten songs, songs as old as sin - they do say the Devil has all the best tunes!
It seems as though the Leicester Curve have another hit musical on their hands, this time in the shape of the city-born 70s musical, Hot Stuff. The jukebox musical is trip down memory lane for fans of the decade who will not be disappointed with the song selections.
Joe Soap (Jason Denton) wants to be a famous rock star, in his quest for fame he sells his life away to Lucy Fur (Ceri Dupree) in the promise that all his eternal wishes to become rich and famous come true, his sacrifice must be his beloved girlfriend, Julie (Ngo Ngofa).
It’s Ceri Dupree as Lucy who is the true star of the show. His witty one-liners and audience interaction make the part a little pantomime dame-esque, which isn’t a bad thing. His lavish costumes and extravagant wigs and head pieces are a visual treat that add glamour to the role. Stephen Webb as The Boss sings his way through classics such as I’m The Leader of the Gang is a strong leading man who’s passion is undeniable.
The random selection of songs does slightly somewhat hinder the flow of the show. The catalogue seems confused; placing Wuthering Heights and I Will Survive in a show with We Are The Champions, Dancing Queen and Merry Christmas Everybody somehow doesn’t sit well in conveying a ‘story’, albeit a very loose plot.
Chris Ellis and his lighting team deliver one of the most inspiring lighting displays I have ever seen. Taking the auditorium from dark and intimate to literally blinding the audience with its powerful construction is a welcome surprise.
Whilst the stage facilities at the Leicester Curve are next to none, the shows lack of plot is a somewhat disappointment, but still Hot Stuff is another hit show produced by the Curve and certainly not to be missed.
Hot Stuff runs at the Leicester Curve until May 26.
