WE'RE HERE BECAUSE WE'RE HERE Exhibition Tells Story of Contemporary Memorial at the Curve

Curve tells the story of the contemporary memorial We're here because we're here, with an exhibition presented by 14 - 18 NOW and the National Theatre, until Sat 6 May.

We're here because we're here took place on 1 Jul 2016 when more than 1400 voluntary participants in First World War uniform appeared unexpectedly in locations across the UK. The participants were a reminder of the 19,240 men who were killed on 1 Jul 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day.

The soldiers, dressed in historically accurate uniforms, did not speak, but at points throughout the day would sing the song We're Here Because We're Here, which was sung in the trenches during the First World War. They handed out cards to members of the public with the name and regiment of the solider they represented, and, where known, the age of the soldier when he died on 1 July 1916.

Created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre, We're here because we're here reached over 30 million people across the UK. The work was specially commissioned by 14 - 18 NOW, the UK's arts programme for the First World War Centenary commemorations.

The exhibition will tell the story of the project through images of the volunteers from across the UK and the BBC documentary charting the making of the project.

Curve was one of 26 organisations that collaborated on the project. This was the first time so many theatres have worked together on a UK-wide participation project, making it the largest arts participation project ever staged in the country.

In a joint statement Curve Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said: "It was important for us to be part of the We're here because we're here event, commemorating the sacrifice made by many millions of men and women from across the Commonwealth, during the Great War. Jeremy Deller's beautiful vision was a fitting tribute during the centenary commemoration and it's gratifying to see the work live on in the exhibition now at Curve."

Jenny Waldman, Director of 14-18 NOW, said: "For the centenary of the Somme, Jeremy Deller, Rufus Norris, 26 theatres and over 1400 volunteers, created an exceptional and powerful live memorial We're here because we're here. Both unexpected and warmly embraced by millions of people, the 'silent soldiers' made an impact across the UK. This exhibition is a wonderful way to remember the ambitious work and tell the story of how it came together."

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre, said: "This work by Jeremy Deller was a truly national piece of theatre and a powerful way to remember the men who went off to fight 100 years ago. I also hope it will serve as a catalyst to strengthen ties with theatres and communities across the UK."

EXHIBITION DETAILS:

We're here because we're here

The story of Jeremy Deller's Modern Memorial

Now open until Sat 6 May

Curve
60 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB

Ticket Office: 0116 242 3595
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 8pm (6pm non-performance days)
Sunday: one hour before the performance

www.curveonline.co.uk
www.becausewearehere.co.uk

We're here because we're here was commissioned by 14-18 NOW, and conceived and created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre.

We're here because we're here was produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre, working in close collaboration with partners including: Lyric Theatre Belfast, National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre Wales, Northern Stage, Playhouse Derry-Londonderry, Salisbury Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

The project was supported by: Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The Belgrade Theatre, Birmingham Metropolitan Academy of Performing Arts, Bolton Octagon, Bristol Old Vic, Storyhouse, Left Coast, Leicester Curve, Nuffield Theatre, Oldham Coliseum, Pontio, Shetland Arts, Sutton Coldfield College, The Garrick Lichfield and Volcano.

We're here because we're here was made possible by an Ambition for Excellence Award from Arts Council England and by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Creative Scotland and Art Fund. 14-18 NOW is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, and by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Images presented in the show are taken by the public. Images are courtesy of the artist. Professional images courtesy of Mark Carline, Joel Chester Fildes, Eoin Carey, Mark Douet, Andrew Fox, Johnny Frazer, Adrian Harris, Steve Haywood, Robyn Hayes, Ruth Knowles, Ellie Kurttz, Dimitris Legakis, Luke MacGregor, Topher McGrillis, Iolo Penri, Joe Priestley, Paul Riddell.

14-18 NOW is a programme of extraordinary arts experiences connecting people with the First World War, as part of the UK's official centenary commemorations. It aims to engage as many people as possible with the First World War, exploring how the war has impacted on the society we live in now. 14-18 NOW commissions new work by leading contemporary artists from all art forms, inspired by the period 1914-1918. The commemorative period is marked by three key seasons - the first season centred around 4 August 2014 (Anniversary of the Declaration of War), the second in 2016 (anniversary of the Battle of Jutland and the Battle of the Somme) and the last in 2018 (centenary of Armistice Day). 14-18 NOW is responsible for the UK tour of the iconic poppy sculptures by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper. 14 -18 NOW is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and by additional fundraising. 14-18 NOW has commissioned over 140 artworks to date that have been seen by over 30 million people.

Curve is a major producing theatre, creating compelling cultural experiences for all those who live, learn, visit and work in Leicester and Leicestershire. We use our unique home and talent to entertain, inspire and engage with a diverse audience and play a leading role in the development of our industry, our city and our global community. At the heart of this is the ambition to offer our local audiences world-class theatrical experiences (created under our Made at Curve banner).

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Curve is developing a reputation for producing, programming and touring a bold and diverse programme of musicals, plays, new work and dance. All of this presented alongside a dynamic mix of community engagement and learning opportunities, which firmly places audiences and communities at the heart of everything Curve does.

We are a registered charity (number 230708) and this supports our work with people of all ages and backgrounds, enabling them to access, participate in and learn from the arts, nurturing new and emerging talent and creating outstanding, award-winning theatrical experiences.

ReceNT Productions and co-productions Made At Curve include: Joe Orton's What the Butler Saw (& Theatre Royal Bath); Jim Jacobs & WarRen Casey's Grease (& for a limited season in Dubai); Dahl's The Twits (& Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong, Rose Theatre Kingston & UK tour); The Importance of Being Earnest (with Birmingham Rep); Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox, in a new adaptation by Sam Holcroft (a co-production with Nuffield Theatres & on tour); our Community Company productions of Alan Parker's Bugsy Malone and Shakespeare's Richard III; the Broadway musical Spring Awakening (with National Youth Music Theatre); Sister Act (& UK tour); Legally Blonde (& Daegu Opera Festival, South Korea - Winner Best Musical - Daegu International Musical Festival Awards); Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's (& Haymarket Theatre, London & UK tour); Ishy Din's Wipers (in collaboration with Belgrade Theatre Coventry & Watford Palace - Winner Asian Media Awards); Roald Dahl's The Witches, adapted by David Wood (& Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong, Rose Theatre Kingston, UK tour & West Yorkshire Playhouse); Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire; Hairspray (& UK tour); Akram Khan's Until the Lions (with Roundhouse, London); Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ - The Musical and Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing (with Nottingham Playhouse & UK tour).

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