Matthew Bourne Show to Premiere at Leicester’s Curve Theatre
Matthew Bourne’s acclaimed production, The Car Man, is set to make its debut at Leicester’s Curve Theatre. This dynamic dance thriller will kick off a nationwide tour spanning 17 venues across the UK.
Tour Details
The Car Man will open at the Curve Theatre on Monday, June 15, 2026, and continues until Saturday, June 20, 2026. The tour will last for 22 weeks, marking a significant return to the stage since its last tour in 2015.
Inspiration and Story
Loosely inspired by Bizet’s opera Carmen, The Car Man transports audiences from a 19th-century Spanish cigarette factory to a greasy diner in 1950s America. The narrative follows the inhabitants of a small town, whose lives are upended by the arrival of a captivating stranger.
- Story Themes: Greed, lust, betrayal, and revenge
- Setting: A small town in the American Midwest
- Choreography: Unique blend of dance and film noir aesthetics
A Cultural Milestone
Since its premiere in 2000, The Car Man has received multiple accolades, including the Evening Standard Award for Musical Event of the Year and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best Choreography. Matthew Bourne expressed his delight that the production continues to resonate with audiences 25 years later.
Ticket Information
Tickets for The Car Man will be available starting Friday, November 14, 2025. Fans can purchase tickets through the Curve Theatre website, call the box office at 0116 242 3595, or visit the box office in person at Rutland Street, Leicester.
Future Generations
Bourne also highlighted the show’s unique position as potentially the first ballet to feature a bisexual anti-hero. He is thrilled to revisit the “hot and steamy town of Harmony” next summer, solidifying The Car Man’s lasting impact on both dance and theatre.
