We are looking forward to welcoming you to Curve for our Relaxed Performance of My Fair Lady.
This pack is designed to give you more information about the performance and our theatre ahead of your visit.
What is a Relaxed Performance?
Relaxed Performances are tailored to meet the specific needs of those that would benefit from a more relaxed environment. This may include children, young people and adults with neurodivergence such as autism, learning disabilities and other sensory or communication needs. The changes include:
• Adaptations to the show, including lighting and sound
• Clearer visual markers and signage around the theatre
• A relaxed attitude to movement and audience responses during the show
• Provision of quiet areas before, during and after the show
Getting to Curve
Our address is Curve, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB.
Here is a map of where Curve is in the Cultural Quarter, and the surrounding area.
Due to ongoing building maintenance work at Curve, there are currently some road closures in place around our theatre – these are indicated by the red triangles on the map.
Getting here by Car
There are a number of car parks close to Curve, with the multi-storey NCP Rutland Centre Car Park being the closest to our Theatre. Customers are advised that none of the car parks detailed on this page are owned or managed by Curve or Leicester Theatre Trust Ltd.
NCP Rutland Centre Car Park (Multi-storey)
56 Halford Street, Leicester, LE1 1TQ
Access Spaces: 7 | Max Height: 1.93m
Curve visitors can park in the NCP Rutland Centre adjacent to Curve for £7.95 when validated at Box Office, Green Room Café or Stage Door Bar during your visit.
If parking at NCP Rutland Centre between the hours of 5pm and 2am, you can access a cheaper rate of £6.95 if you pay via the NCP ParkPass App, or £7.95 if you pay your parking at the machines located in the NCP on the day.
Southampton Street
Leicester, LE1 1TG
Access Spaces: 4
Hourly charges from £1*
NCP Lee Circle Car Park
Leicester, LE1 3RE
Access Spaces: 4 | Max Height: 1.93m
Hourly charges from £1.95*
Dover Street
Leicester, LE1 6PW
Access Spaces: 14 | Max Height 1.98m
Hourly charges from £2*
Haymarket
Leicester, LE1 3YT
Access Spaces: 5
Hourly charges from £2*
Newarke Street
Leicester, LE1 5SN
Access Spaces: 1
Hourly charges from £2*
Highcross John Lewis Car Park
Leicester, LE1 4QJ
Access Spaces: 109 | Family Spaces: 56
Max Height 1.98m
Hourly charges from £3.50*, plus flat evening rate of £2.50* between 5pm and 6am.
*Prices subject to change.
Getting here by Bus
All Leicestershire bus services have stops within a three to 10-minute walk of Curve, with services terminating on Humberstone Gate, Haymarket Bus Station or St Margaret’s Bus Station.
For more information about travelling by bus in the city, visit www.leicester.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/travelling-by-bus, or call Traveline on 0871 200 2233.
Hop! Free City Centre Circular Bus Service
Hop! shuttle buses are free to use and serve Leicester City Centre, looping in an anti-clockwise between Haymarket Bus Station, Highcross, Jubilee Square, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Railway Station and the Market.
Part of the greenlines electric network, the service also links with the Hospital Hopper service at Royal Infirmary and St Nicholas Circle, Meynell’s Gorse and Enderby Park & Ride at St Nicholas Circle, and Birstall Park & Ride at Savoy Street.
The nearest Hop! stop to Curve is Stand CK on Charles Street, circled in red on the map overleaf. The service operates every 10 minutes, Monday – Saturday between 8am and 6pm.
For more information about Hop!, including a service leaflet and larger route map, visit leicesterbuses.co.uk/hop. A route map is also provided on the next page.
Getting here by Train
Leicester Train Station is less than a 10-minute walk away via Charles Street. For the latest service information, please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Visual Story: Your Visit to Curve
Curve is a large, round building with a glass front. The outside of Curve usually looks like this:
Halford Street Entrance what3words:///wide.wiping.dared
Rutland Street Entrance what3words:///driver.other.ideal
As we are currently undertaking some building work at the front of our theatre, there is a mixture of fencing and scaffolding creating covered walkways to our two entrances. This is what the area looks like:-
There are two main entrances into the building – Halford Street, by our Green Room Café, and Rutland Street, by our Box Office. Both entrances have a set of glass double doors.
Halford Street Rutland Street
The doors will open outwards automatically as you move towards them. There is level access into the building from both entrances.
When you enter the building, you will be in the Foyer. Our Foyer is one big circle which wraps around two of our performance spaces – the Theatre and the Studio Theatre.
As you make your way around the Foyer, you will notice lots of large pictures on the big red walls. This is our Production Gallery, and features pictures from our previous productions.
There are also large digital screens throughout the building displaying upcoming shows and events, and information about the theatre. The artwork on the screens changes approximately every 10 seconds.
Our Foyer is also filled with Christmas cheer, ready for the festive season!
There are several artificial trees and garlands placed around the Foyer, each decorated with static, warm-toned fairy lights, shiny red and gold baubles and a sparkly star on the top. We also have on display our model box, showing the set design for MY FAIR LADY and a flower cart installation in the alcove close to Theatre Door 4.
There is also one larger, real Christmas tree placed close to our Stage Door Bar.
Opposite Alcove 4, you will find our Box Office.
Parking tickets for cars parked in the NCP Rutland Centre Multistorey Car Park next door to Curve can be validated at the Box Office for £7.95. Ticket enquiries for this performance and future shows at Curve can also be made here.
Further round the Foyer you will find our Green Room Café.
Here you can buy a drink, snack or ice cream to enjoy before the performance.
There may be a small queue at the Café, so you might need to wait a few minutes. It can also be quite loud in this area at busy times.
If you need to use the toilet before you take your seats, there are male, female and accessible toilets near both the Green Room Café and Box Office. Further accessible toilets can be found outside the Theatre doors. There are also gender-neutral toilets on the Mezzanine floor.
The toilets look like this:
There is a Changing Places facility with adult hoist on the Ground Floor next to Theatre Door 4. Please note you will need to bring your own hoist straps to use this facility.
All ground floor accessible toilets including our Changing Places facility, as well as our male and female toilets close to the Green Room Café will be sensory adapted, meaning the hand dryers will be switched off and paper towels will be provided.
Here is a map of the Ground Floor of Curve:
There are a number of automatic hand sanitiser points are available around the building. To use these points, simply hold your hand beneath the dispenser. Push dispensers are also available around the building.
Before the show, there will be some loud announcements in the Foyer telling you how long it is until the show begins, and other useful information about your visit.
You will be watching My Fair Lady in the Theatre. Here is a picture of the seats in the Theatre. This is where you will sit to watch the performance.
Circle
Stalls
Your ticket will tell you if you are sitting in the Stalls (Ground Floor, enter through Theatre Doors 3 or 4) or in the Circle (Mezzanine floor, enter through Theatre Doors 8 or 9). Your ticket will also mention which door to enter through and where to sit.
If you are sat in the Circle, you will need to take the stairs next to Theatre Doors 3 or 4, or the public lift next to Theatre Door 3 to get to the Mezzanine floor (Level M). The staircase next to Theatre Door 3 has 31 steps over three flights (9, 11, 11) and the staircase next to Theatre Door 4 also has 31 steps over three flights (13, 7, 11). There is a landing between each flight of stairs.
A member of our Visitor Experience Team can help you find the right door and your seat by looking at the letters and numbers on your ticket.
They will be wearing black shirts with a colourful Curve logo. They will scan your ticket with a small machine as you enter the Theatre. There might be a small queue as other audience members take their seats.
If you are sitting in the Stalls, you may need to take further steps to get to your seat.
If you are sitting on Row A, B or C in the front Stalls, you will need to take up to three small downward steps down to access your seat, with one step between each row.
If you are sitting on Rows P - Y in the rear Stalls, there are 10 upward steps from where you enter though Theatre Doors 3 or 4 to Row Y at the back of the Stalls, with one step between each row.
If you are sitting in the Circle, you may also need to take further steps to get to your seat. There are 22 upward steps from where you enter through Theatre Doors 8 or 9 to Row H at the back of the Circle, with two steps between each row.
If you are sitting on Row BB in the Stalls or the Circle, you will need to take two upward steps to access your seat.
If you are sitting on the Row H balcony in the Circle, you will need to enter through Theatre Door 11. Please speak to a member of our Visitor Experience Team, who can help you access the Theatre via this door.
When you enter the Theatre, the lights will be on. You will need to pull the bottom of your seat down to sit on it.
It might be loud in the Theatre during this time, as other audience members take their seats.
Booster seats are available if you can’t see the stage comfortably, and a member of our Visitor Experience Team can get one for you.
They will also be happy to help you with anything else you may need to enjoy the performance.
When the show is about to start, the lights in the Theatre will be dimmed but it will never go completely dark. They will remain on at a low-level throughout the performance.
Whilst the inner doors to the Theatre will close, the outer doors will remain open throughout so you can leave the space if you need to use the toilet or take a break from the show. You can re-enter when you’re ready.
Should you wish to take a break from the performance, you are welcome to take a seat in the Foyer, or visit our Mezzanine where you will find further seating. Our Mezzanine is available before, during and after the performance for anyone wishing to take a few moments in a quieter, less busy area of our theatre. A member of our Visitor Experience Team can show you the best route to the Mezzanine, depending on whether you prefer to take a lift or stairs.
When the show has finished, the cast will come back onto the stage and bow. The audience will clap to show the cast they enjoyed the performance. It may be quite loud during this moment.
At the end of the show, the lights will get brighter again. You can leave the Theatre when you are ready.
Useful Information
Show Warnings
The running time for My Fair Lady is 2 hours and 35 minutes including a 20-minute interval. The performance will start at 2.15pm and finish at approximately 4.50pm.
The age recommendation for My Fair Lady is 9+. The production contains haze, fog and flashing lights.
There will still be some flashing light sequences at the Dementia Friendly Performance, but they will be slower in speed and dimmed in brightness. The lights in the Theatre will also remain on at a low-level throughout the performance.
As My Fair Lady is a musical, much of the show is performed in song with moments of dance and movement.
The music in the show is performed live by a 9-piece band, conducted by our Musical Director George Dyer and sung by the company.
You won’t be able to see the band at this performance, as they are playing from an area called the Pit.
Although we will be adapting the volume of the show to a quieter level, some of the musical numbers will still be quite loud, particularly when the cast perform as a group.
There are several moving set pieces in My Fair Lady. These include:-
- Two walls, which move to create the exterior streets of London and the inside of Higgins’ Study – At the start of the show, the walls are opened out and designed to look like the exterior of properties along a London street, including a pub and 27a Wimpole Street where Henry lives. The walls are then moved inwards throughout the show to create the inside of Higgins’ study, including a grand staircase. The study is filled with lots of books and scientific equipment.
- A rectangle platform – This platform lowers into the floor of the stage and rises again to reveal a crowd of race day spectators at Ascot.
- Two, large concrete pillars – Inspired by the pillars of St Pauls’ Church.
- A pub bar – Which the cast dance on during ♪ Get Me to the Church on Time
- A number of other lighting bars and items, such as a London Underground station sign, garden trellis and grocery carts, are also moved in and out of view during the show.
Key sensory moments to be aware of during the show are highlighted in The Story and Sensory Moments section, detailed on the next few pages. Some of these effects will be softened at this performance, but if you have any concerns, please contact Box Office on 0116 242 3595.
The Story and Sensory Moments
Spoiler Alert!
Over the next few pages is a summary of the story of My Fair Lady. You might find this helpful to read before you come to the theatre, but if you would like the story to be a surprise, skip to page 26.
If you do not want to read the full story but would like to see the key sensory moments during the show, please see the green boxes.
As you enter the Theatre, you will see a glittery gold cut-out of the My Fair Lady logo placed in front of a light blue cloth. On either side of the stage are two doorways, surrounded by baskets and other items.
The show bursts into life with its orchestral ♫ Overture as the lights dim to reveal a flower girl - who we will later come to learn is Eliza Doolittle – beneath a single spotlight. The cloth and logo raise out of view to reveal a bustling crowd on the streets of Covent Garden on a cold evening in March 1912, surrounding two large concrete pillars.
Among the gowned and tailored crowd making their way home from the Opera are Freddy Eynsford-Hill and his Mother, Mrs Eynsford-Hill, seeking a taxi home. As Freddy tries to hail a taxi he accidentally knocks into Eliza, who exclaims in pain and drops her basket of flowers.
Eliza tells Freddy to watch where he’s going, as she’s now lost a full day’s wages. As he apologises to Eliza, Mrs Eynsford-Hill demands he finds a taxi. In turn, Eliza demands Mrs Eynsford-Hill makes him pay for the damaged flowers, but is swiftly sent on her way!
Also hailing a taxi among the hub-bub is Colonel Hugh Pickering, who Eliza politely invites to buy a flower. He declines, but gives in and gives her three halfpence, which she reluctantly accepts. One of the other market sellers tells Eliza to look out as she is being watched by a police detective, but she insists she’s doing nothing wrong.
As Eliza panics and asks not to be charged, the ‘detective’ approaches from the middle of Stalls and up onto the stage.
As he chats with Eliza and the other market sellers, he continues to take notes before introducing himself as a Professor of phonetics – Henry Higgins.
Henry is not very nice about Eliza’s accent and tone, nor about the voices of her market friends and other communities across the world (♫ Why Can’t The English?)
After the song, Henry declares he could pass Eliza off as a well-spoken lady of high society. She doesn’t believe it, but Hugh agrees it is possible and shares that he himself is a student of Indian dialects. Henry asks if he knows Colonel Pickering and Hugh introduces himself as such, before mentioning he’d actually travelled from India to meet Henry, whilst Henry was planning to visit India to meet Hugh! Henry invites Hugh to stay with him at 27a Wimpole Street, and the pair leave to get supper, throwing coins into Eliza’s basket as they go.
Stunned by her good fortune, Eliza counts the coins while she and the other market sellers imagine what it would be like to live a comfortable life (♫ Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?).
At the end of the song, the market sellers leave Covent Garden, with some making their way through the Stalls. The pillars also fly out of view, and lines of white sheets fly in as we find ourselves on Tottenham Court Road.
Bartender George is seen evicting a mischievous trio – Harry, Jamie and Eliza’s father, Alfred P. Doolittle. Jamie thinks they should go home, but Alfred wants to wait for Eliza, expecting her to share some of her earnings with him for another drink. Harry and Jamie don’t think he deserves anything as he hasn’t seen her in months, but he thinks he does for giving her life! Eliza passes by, arriving via the Stalls, gives him a coin and leaves, while the trio return to the pub with their new drink fund (♫ With a Little Bit of Luck).
This number is very loud, with lots of singing and group dancing! You will also hear a lady shouting from the side of the stage, telling the crowd to be quiet.
As we move from Tottenham Court Road to Henry’s study, the lights on the stage will become dark, with a spotlight following Eliza across the stage as she makes her way to 27a Wimpole Street.
Henry and Hugh are chatting away as Mrs Pearce advises them a young woman with a ‘dreadful’ accent has arrived to see them. Mrs Pearce welcomes Eliza in, and she advises she’s come for elocution lessons so she can get a job as an v
assistant in a florist’s shop – and she’s happy to pay! While making more horrible remarks about Eliza’s appearance, personality and speech, Henry agrees to give her lessons. He also places a bet with Hugh that he can teach her to speak properly within six months, and pass her off as a proper lady. Mrs Pearce takes her upstairs to settle into Henry’s household.
Henry sees himself as a kind man who simply doesn’t get along with women, but to others he appears nasty and all about himself (♫ I’m an Ordinary Man).
As we move to the exterior of Henry’s house, the lights will temporarily dim again as a set of cast iron gates flies down onto the stage. The gates fly out again under dim light as we return to the pub on Tottenham Court Road, under lines of washing.
George is evicting Alfred, Harry and Jamie from the pub again.
As they tumble out of the doors, as passerby called Hopkins tells Alfred that Eliza is now in the care of Henry and has asked for some things to be sent over. As Alfred rides on the London Underground he proclaims his delight about the news as it means he can get more support from Eliza (♫ Reprise: With a Little Bit of Luck).
Back in Henry’s study, Mrs Pearce is scolding him about the way he is ‘teaching’ Eliza, and that he is being ignorant of letters being sent to him. His Butler informs him that Alfred has come to see him. He initially wants to see Eliza but what he actually wants is compensation of a £5 note, which he gets.
As Eliza’s studies continue she becomes increasingly frustrated with Henry, even dreaming of different ways to kill him (♫ Just You Wait).
During this song the lights on stage will become darker, with a spotlight following Eliza around the Study.
Despite her frustrations, Eliza continues her studies of different letters and sounds with Henry and Hugh.
Henry brings out a speech tool that uses a live flame to indicate when Eliza is doing the ‘H’ sound with correct pronunciation and breath.
Eliza becomes mischievous, so Henry tries the exercise with the trio laying on the floor instead as the servants watch on (♫ The Servants’ Chorus). The trio continue to work through different speech exercises around Henry’s Study, including one using marbles – one of which Eliza accidentally swallows!
Real marbles are not used during this scene, but the actor playing Eliza will speak as though she does have marbles in her mouth, and pretend to swallow one.
The final exercise Henry and Eliza work on is ♫ The Rain In Spain. Finally she can speak in a perfect, upper-class style. Henry tells Hugh they should take her to the horse racing at Ascot to test her new skills Mrs Pearce insists Eliza goes to bed, but she is simply too excited! (♫ I Could
Have Danced All Night
)
As she sings, Henry’s Study will be moved outwards again, revealing a starry night and a bright moon shining down on Wimpole Street. Low haze will also fill the stage, before the stage darkens and a spotlight follows Eliza off stage.
In the darkness, the blue cloth from the start of the show will also lower back down onto the stage.
As Ascot, Hugh informs Mrs Higgins – Henry’s Mother – that her son will be in attendance at the race day, and that he will be bringing Eliza with her. He explains that Eliza is a flower girl and about his experiment, and Mrs Higgins is not amused!
The blue cloth raises to reveal a group of race goers in their finest tailoring. A group from each side each bring on a track barrier, while a third group appear in the centre on a lift raising from beneath the stage.
Everyone is very excited to be at the races (♫ Ascot Gavotte)! After the first few races, Henry meets up with his Mother and her friends including Mrs Eynsford-
Hill and her son Freddy. He introduces Eliza to the group, where she puts her new speech to the test!
All is going well until Eliza slips back into her foul-mouthed Cockney ways while watching a race – capturing the heart of Freddy in the process. On his way home from the races, he heads to Wimpole Street to find Eliza –he is besotted by her (♫ The Street Where You Live).
A few weeks later, after more speech studies, Eliza is ready to go to the Embassy Ball. This is her final test of whether she can pass as a lady. As Hugh and Henry bicker about the experiment they’ve been undertaking over the last few months, Eliza appears on the staircase in Henry’s study, dressed to impress in sparkly, cream-coloured beaded ballgown, with a glittering tiara. Both men are taken aback by her for a few moments, before they leave for the ball.
Henry’s study opens out to once again reveal a starry sky and bright moon shining down on Wimpole Street. The trio walk towards the moon hand in hand as the stage darkens and a low haze floats across. As the music ends, the blue cloth and sparkly logo lower back down onto the stage. That is the end of Act 1.
Act 2 begins with a loud burst of music. The lights brighten to reveal high society attendees at the Embassy Ball dancing with one another, before the blue cloth and sparkly logo rise out of view. During this scene, you will also see the band playing at the back of the stage.
Henry and Eliza make their way into the ball. Hugh speaks to Mrs Higgins about Eliza’s positive introduction to the ambassador.
Henry encounters a former speech student, Zoltan Karpathy. As the dance continues, Eliza introduces herself to the Queen of Transylvania, who greets her warmly in return. She suddenly finds herself dancing with a spritely Zoltan as the other ball attendees look on in amazement!
The walls move inwards to reveal Henry’s study, where the trio are arriving home. Henry and Hugh managed to pass Eliza off as a lady of high society, and revel in their success with the Servants (♫ You Did It). Eliza, however, is disappointed she herself is getting no credit for her success, throwing slippers at Henry as she calls him out. The pair argue, before Henry goes to bed and Eliza readies herself to leave the household (♫ Reprise: Just You Wait).
The walls open outwards again to reveal Wimpole Street under blue light, where Freddy is waiting (♫ Reprise: On The Street Where You Live). Eliza catches his attention, and while Freddy wants to talk she just wants him to show his love for her (♫ Show Me). The pair embrace, before making their way into the night.
The Market Sellers fill Covent Garden as the two pillars lower down onto the stage in front of an iron gate. (♫ The Flower Market)
Eliza walks among the Market Sellers, but they don’t recognise her in her finery and with her new tone of voice. In the hustle and bustle, Alfred is once again making his way out of the pub with Harry and Jamie. Alfred is also dressed in a top hat and tails – he’s getting married to Eliza’s Stepmother! Freddy invites Eliza to take a taxi with him, while Alfred invites her to the wedding. She declines her father’s invitation, but wishes him luck in his new chapter.
Unfazed by his daughter, Alfred gets ready for his nuptials with Harry, Jamie and the Market Sellers (♫ Get Me To the Church On Time).
This number is particularly loud and energetic! The pillars and gate will fly out, as his friends dance out of the pub door. A long bar is moved into position during the song, with Alfred and friends dancing on and around it throughout. The bar is pushed back into the pub at the end of the song.
As Alfred gets wed, the walls are pushed inwards to reveal Henry’s Study.
The next morning, Henry is out of sorts upon realising Eliza has left. He bickers with Hugh and Mrs Pearce about finding her. He wonders why she left after the success at the ball, and concludes men (himself included!) are superior to women (♫ A Hymn to Him).
The walls open outwards again as a floral garden trellis flies in. Eliza is visiting Mrs Higgins at her residence. As the ladies are speaking, Henry arrives; he is surprised to see Eliza. Mrs Higgins leaves the pair to talk, but is fully supportive of Eliza. The pair argue again, recounting everything they’ve been through together, but Eliza ultimately tells Henry she no longer needs him (♫ Without You).
As the pair go their separate ways, Henry realises he’s come to adore Eliza (♫ I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face).
The walls move inwards again to take us back in Henry’s Study. Henry is alone, and seems sad and lost. He listens to a recording he made of Eliza, as he lays on the sofa. Eliza walks in and pauses the recording, before the pair turn to one another, and embrace passionately.
The lights darken, as the curtain lowers. It rises again to reveal the company for their final bows as the band plays. It may be loud during this moment, as the audience show their appreciation with applause. As you make your way out of the theatre, the sparkly logo will lower back into position.
That is the end of Act 2 – we hope you enjoyed the show!
Meet the Cast
Molly Lynch
Eliza Doolittle
David Seadon-Young Henry Higgins
Andy Barke Higgins’ Odd Job Man and Ensemble
Keanna Bloomfield Nun and Ensemble
Damian Buhagiar Zoltan Karpathy
Jonathan Dryden Taylor Harry and Ensemble
Steve Furst Alfred P. Doolittle
Ritesh Manugula Office Clerk and Ensemble
Sarah Moyle
Mrs Eynsford-Hill and Mrs Pearce
Ashley Gilmour Higgins’ Footman and Ensemble
Nell Martin Suffragette, Onstage Swing and Dance Captain
Joanna O’Hare
George and Queen of Transylvania
Lucas Koch Higgins’ Chef and Ensemble
Abigail Matthews Higgins’ Maid and Ensemble
Minal Patel Hugh Pickering
Skelton Office Clerk and Onstage Swing
Jamie
You can find out more about the company – including our young company - and their roles in our show programme, available to buy on the doors to the Theatre, Stage Door Reception, Green Room Café, Stage Door Bar or Box Office for £7.
Jack
Kenedy Small Higgins’ Maid and Ensemble
Cathy Tyson
Mrs Higgins
Ying Ue Li
Djavan van de Fliert
Freddy Eynsford-Hill
We hope you find this information pack helpful ahead of your visit to Curve. Enjoy the show!
If you have any comments on this information pack, please email us on access@curvetheatre.co.uk.
For more information about Accessibility at Curve, please visit www.curveonline.co.uk, or call our Box Office on 0116 242 3595.
We look forward to welcoming you.
This information pack was created by Lisa Brain, Audiences and Access Co-ordinator and Nicola Allen, Marketing and Access Manager at Curve. Production photography by Marc Brenner.
