Indigo Productions and Crossroads Live in association with Curve present
WORLD STAGE PLAY PREMIERE TO OPEN AT LEICESTER CURVE AHEAD OF MAJOR UK AND IRELAND TOUR
Acclaimed psychological thriller adapted for the stage by celebrated playwright Gina Gionfriddo from the multi-million-selling novel by Thomas Harris
Directed by Nikolai Foster
Dr Hannibal Lecter will see you now.
Indigo Productions and Crossroads Live, in association with Curve, are thrilled to announce a new chapter in the legacy of The Silence of the Lambs, as the global cultural phenomenon prepares to make its world stage play premiere in 2026. Acclaimed television writer and playwright Gina Gionfriddo (Law & Order (NBC), Rapture, Blister, Burn) brings Thomas Harris’ gripping literary masterpiece to the stage in a new modern adaptation directed by Nikolai Foster. This electrifying new production will open at Leicester’s Curve theatre, where it plays from Saturday 01 August – Saturday 15 August 2026, ahead of a major UK and Ireland tour.
When FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview the psychiatrist and infamous murderer Hannibal Lecter, it’s hoped his brilliant mind will help catch sadistic new serial killer, Buffalo Bill. Another girl is missing, and time is running out. But Dr Lecter has questions of his own, and now Clarice must decide: keep a safe distance, or let Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ into her head?
Gina Gionfriddo’s theatrical adaptation delves into the psychological tension of Thomas Harris’ landmark novel, drawing the audience deep into Clarice and Lecter’s intelligent, intricate, and bone-chilling game of cat-and-mouse, as the FBI scramble to catch Buffalo Bill, a serial killer still at large. Gionfriddo’s screenwriting credits include Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC), Cold Case (CBS), House of Cards (Netflix) and The Alienist (Netflix). Her plays Becky Shaw and Rapture, Blister, Burn were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009 and 2013, respectively.
Thomas Harris’ quartet of Lecter novels, Red Dragon (1981), The Silence of the Lambs (1988), Hannibal (1999) and Hannibal Rising (2006) have sold over 50 million copies worldwide and have influenced countless modern thrillers. Famed for his scalpel-sharp prose, Harris created in Hannibal Lecter an erudite and urbane serial killer who continues to fascinate the cultural imagination. Clarice Starling remains one of our most compelling fictional heroines — a woman who steps into the darkness to see justice served, armed with intellect, empathy, and unshakable resolve. Harris’ four novels have been adapted into multiple film and TV adaptations featuring acclaimed performances by Brian Cox, Anthony Hopkins, Mads Mikkelsen, Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore and directorial masterclasses by Jonathan Demme and Ridley Scott.
Nikolai Foster is Artistic Director at Curve, Leicester, one of the UK’s leading regional theatres, described as “world class” by The Daily Telegraph and a “powerhouse” by The Times. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Nikolai grew up in North Yorkshire and trained at Drama Centre London and at the Crucible, Sheffield. He has created work for many of the UK’s major producing theatres, touring houses and international venues. Nikolai has been director on attachment at the Sheffield Crucible, the Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre Studio and served as an Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse. In 2024, Nikolai was awarded an Honorary Doctor of the Arts by Leicester’s De Montfort University for his contribution to theatre in Leicester. At Curve, Nikolai has worked on numerous musical revivals, new plays, musicals and championed emerging artists. Many of the Made at Curve productions Nikolai has directed have transferred to London, toured the UK and internationally.
Playwright Gina Gionfriddo says: “Thomas Harris’ novel speaks so eloquently to the interior terrors that fuel his iconic characters – both the monsters and the heroes who slay them. What a privilege it has been to bring these stories to the stage.”
Director Nikolai Foster continues: “We’ve long wanted to present a Made at Curve thriller onstage in Leicester, and The Silence of the Lambs is surely the most electrifying and frightening of this genre. At the heart of this play is the remarkable relationship between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter; through their gripping meetings, these two fascinating characters develop a compelling relationship. Harris’ novel is filled with stunning iconography and imagery that is ripe for theatrical invention. We can’t wait to see it burst to life onstage.”
Producers for Indigo Productions and Crossroads Live, James Lane and Ed McGovern conclude: “We are deeply honoured to have been entrusted with Thomas Harris’ seminal story and iconic characters. Gina and Nikolai have crafted something truly thrilling for the stage, and we cannot wait to welcome audiences into Hannibal Lecter’s cell to witness it first hand for the very first time.“
Full creative team and cast to be announced.
The Silence of the Lambs is produced by Indigo Productions and Crossroads Live in association with Curve.
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THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS 2026 / 2027 UK TOUR DATES
Leicester, Curve Sat 01 Aug – Sat 15 Aug 2026 www.curveonline.co.uk
Newcastle, Theatre Royal Tue 18 Aug – Sat 22 Aug 2026 www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Glasgow, Theatre Royal Mon 24 Aug – Sat 29 Aug 2026
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow/
Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre Tue 01 Sep – Sat 05 Sep 2026
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
Edinburgh, Festival Theatre Tue 08 Sep – Sat 12 Sep 2026 www.capitaltheatres.com
Nottingham, Theatre Royal Tue 15 – Sat 19 Sep 2026 www.trch.co.uk
Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre Mon 28 Sep – Sat 03 Oct 2026
www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/
Salford, Lowry – Quays Theatre Tue 06 Oct – Sat 10 Oct 2026 www.thelowry.com
Bradford, Alhambra Theatre Mon 12 Oct – Sat 17 Oct 2026
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/alhambra-theatre
Oxford, New Theatre Mon 19 Oct – Sat 24 Oct 2026
www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester/
Peterborough, New Theatre Tue 27 Oct – Sat 31 Oct 2026 www.newtheatre-peterborough.com
Hull, New Theatre Tue 03 Nov – Sat 07 Nov 2026 www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Belfast, Grand Opera House Tue 10 Nov – Sat 14 Nov 2026 www.goh.co.uk
Dublin, Tue 24 Nov – Sat 28 Nov 2026 www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre Mon 04 Jan – Sat 09 Jan 2027
www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham
Blackpool, The Grand Theatre Mon 11 Jan – Sat 16 Jan 2027
Eastbourne, The Congress Theatre Mon 18 Jan – Sat 23 Jan 2027
Malvern, Malvern Theatre Tue 26 Jan – Sat 30 Jan 2027 www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
Swansea, Grand Theatre Tue 16 Feb – Sat 20 Feb 2027 www.swanseagrand.co.uk
Chester, Storyhouse Theatre Mon 22 Feb – Sat 27 Feb 2027 www.storyhouse.com
Brighton, Theatre Royal Tue 02 Mar – Sat 06 Mar 2027
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton
Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre Mon 08 Mar – Sat 13 Mar 2027
York, Theatre Royal Mon 15 Mar – Sat 20 Mar 2027 www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Coventry, Belgrade Theatre Tue 30 Mar – Sat 3 Apr 2027 www.belgrade.co.uk
Richmond, Richmond Theatre Tue 06 Apr – Sat 10 Apr 2027
www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/
Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre Mon 12 Apr – Sat 17 Apr 2027 www.everymantheatre.org.uk
Bournemouth, Pavilion Theatre Tue 20 April – Sat 24 Apr 2027
Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre Mon 26 Apr – Sat 01 May 2027 www.grandtheatre.co.uk
Cardiff, New Theatre Mon 10 May – Sat 15 May 2027
www.trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff
Buxton, Opera House Mon 17 May – Sat 22 May 2027 www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Woking, New Victoria Theatre Mon 31 May – Sat 05 Jun 2027
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre
Liverpool, Empire Theatre Mon 14 Jun – Sat 19 Jun 2027
www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
Sunderland, Empire Theatre Mon 21 Jun – Sat 26 Jun 2027
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