Theatre leaders awarded honorary degrees

Nikolai Foster (left) and Chris Stafford began working together in 2015

Two senior leaders at Leicester's Curve theatre have received honorary doctor of arts degrees.

The theatre's Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster were given the awards by De Montfort University (DMU).

They began working together in 2015 and have overseen productions including A Chorus Line, Billy Elliot and My Beautiful Laundrette.

Mr Stafford and Mr Foster were described as having made the theatre a "crucible of the art form". They received their doctorates on the Curve stage as part of the annual DMU summer ceremonies.

At the presentation, Ian Squires, the chair of governors at DMU and former chair of trustees at the theatre, said: “It is no over-statement to say that Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster ‘invented’ Curve as it is today.

"Chris and Nikolai have made the theatre the crucible of the art form.

“In the hands of Chris and Nikolai it is as if this theatre has become an instrument and it is one that they play with great skill, invention and verve.

“I salute you both.”

Mr Foster said afterwards it was an "honour" to receive the degrees "alongside the many brilliant DMU students who we congratulate on their achievements".

"We're humbled to have shared this special day with them and to witness such a brilliant celebration of their wonderful accomplishments," he said.