The Color Purple - Leicester Curve / U.K. Tour

There is a streaming guide on the Curve website that explains the streaming options and how to play it on Smart Tv's/Cast it HERE

I loved this on Tuesday night. I was unsure how they were going to live up to Sunset but it really did, even though it was not done in quite the same way and used only the stage primarily but I think that worked for this piece as it's far more intimate and that really came through with how it was shot and confined to the central stage.

I think to call both Sunset and this "concerts" is a bit of an injustice really because this felt nothing like a concert, at times it was hard to notice the social distancing because the stage was so full of choreography and group scenes. It felt like a complete show. The lack of set really didn't bother and the use of lighting and projection really set the tone and setting perfectly. The lighting really has been a highlight for both streamed productions.

The cast were exceptional. Look T'Shan doesn't sing it like Cynthia, but there is something so much more raw about her performing those songs because it feels led by emotion rather than about making it note perfect and I think especially in the 2nd act the character embodiment is stunning. Danielle Fiamanya is a star. A pure star. I said this the first time I saw her and it was even more evident in this and I think people will end up knocking down the doors to see her Elsa.

The final 20 minutes I was practically in tears the whole time and when they all came together to sing The Color Purple at the end there, with pretty much the whole cast in tears themselves, it sent me. It's something not to forget.

The biggest thing for me here is that Curve is my local and to see if put on these levels of streamed content, to see it get so much positivity in the responses to them, to see people who never saw anything from there for whatever reason or for people who never took notice of it or looked down on it, because it felt like that sometimes in the past, actually see what it's capable of, for me it's proud moment.

For Sunset I watched it via the web browser on my smart tv and it worked great. 

Ohh there’s also a lovey 🌈 treat during the interval too!!!

Whatsonstage have posted a review:

www.whatsonstage.com/leicester-theatre/reviews/review-the-color-purple-curve-leicester-online_53399.html

I got from it they didnt really like the musical itself that much but liked the production, if that makes sense. A few other reviews are the same, picking fault with the score and book/pacing but praising the cast and how it was done. I can't say I understand it cus for me TCP is one of my fave musicals and scores so I'm at a loss but each to their own.

I was really looking forward to seeing this tonight, but my broadband has been down for hours. Thankfully the nice people at the Curve have changed my ticket for tomorrow. Now I’m just realising how frustrating having no Internet (and a poor mobile signal) is. Will be an early night!

A very good production.

Thanks to Leicester Curve for being really helpful when BT messed up my broadband. I found myself unable to connect all day. At one point, the BT app was saying it would take a three day wait. But suddenly everything worked about 4pm (which way great, not only for theatre, but also for my day job).

So, The Color Purple.

My first ever trip to New York was in 2006. I booked for the show there. I think it was much as I'd ever paid in my life to go the theatre (and I had a really good central Stalls seat - of course prices have gone up since then).

And I haven't caught any The Color Purple productions since (no idea why, I should have done).

Looking back, I remember this long queue to get into the theatre. The fact there was a real buzz around me. This was an event. The fact I was the only white person there (please, this isn't meant with judgement, but I have never seen an environment like this - the people around me didn't go to the theatre regularly, but they loved it).

Beyond that, I remember being enthralled, but I also remember so little. It was 15 years ago with the original cast (I have a Playbill somewhere). Was I overwhelmed? I have this memory of a group of older ladies coming on stage, two or three times, and the crowd bursting out in laughter even though I never quite got the joke.

Anyway, the Curve production.

As I said, very good.

Thanks to the Curve for their support when my connection went down and thanks for their fast replies.

This is a really good production.

Fifteen years is a long time and I just can't remember enough details of the original production. But this is a really fantastic cast. I think it would help to remember the book, film or original production. I just have no memory of Celie having a lesbian relationship from the original production and yet it was so obvious here. Was I naive (very probably)? There were certainly times when I wanted to applaud as this went on.

Staging wise, it did feel more like a concert than some other of the recent filmed performances. The action didn't leave the central stage, there were gaps between performers and there were seats around the outside for the actors who weren't currently needed. Sets were minimal. But this is also a show I'm less familiar with than others, so it may be that this was just more obvious.

In any case, a star performance from T’Shan Williams as Celie. The cast were all really good. And who can fault the talented Simon-Anthony Roden, a man I've seen in several productions, who is not only a natural on stage, but also very easy on the eye?

Very worth seeing. A fantastic theatre. Great cast. And it's impossible to fault anyone for putting on such a showcase production during lockdown. Do go ahead and book while this is still available.

I just watched and found myself in tears at the end, which I hadn't expected. The story and characters are just so strong that it's hard to go wrong. Would love to see a fully staged production. 

Kudos to the Curve for this and all their other efforts this year, they are shining beacons of British theatre at its best.

Trying to book online for today's 5pm show and it won't let me >? Says to choose a delivery method and contact box office? Any ideas anyone

Cheers Prof. Got it sorted in the end. Just logged out and created a diff account. Have to say LOVED this ! Always been a fan but thought it was simple and beautifully done and sounded stunning. Really hope that one day this makes it to the west end and gets the love it deserves.

10/10