First project is The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Olivier and Tony Award-winning producer Nick Sidi is launching a new theatre production company called Curveball.
The independent commercial theatre production company will produce work for the West End, UK and beyond.
The new outfit aims to work with world-class writers, recording artists, directors, designers and choreographers, nurturing projects from page to stage, and also offer a Dramaturg Consultancy service.
Nick Sidi is married to acclaimed director Marianne Elliott, and the couple’s previous production company, Elliott & Harper Productions, with Chris Harper, produced shows including Cock (West End), Death of a Salesman (Young Vic/West End/Broadway), Company (West End/Broadway/ USA National Tour), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Leeds Playhouse / The Bridge Theatre / UK Tour and West End) and Heisenberg (West End).
Over Nick’s 30-year career he has worked as an actor, dramaturg and commercial producer.
Curveball’s first production is the upcoming West End transfer of the Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Sidi developed the musical while working at Elliott & Harper Productions, and the transfer is produced in the West End by Chris Harper Productions and Nick Sidi for Curveball.
Nick Sidi said in a statement: “My ambition is for Curveball to make shows that are a spin on the usual – bringing together innovative, cross-genre creative collaborations, and always with an artist-led approach. I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years – as an actor for more than 20 years and for the last decade as a dramaturg and commercial producer. This has given me a unique insight into how to create shows from every angle and that helps me to understand what everyone needs at each stage – both the creative team and the producing team. I love music and I love theatre and I’m particularly interested in working with recording artists (like Passenger and his brilliant score on Harold Fry) who come to the process of making musicals with fresh ideas. My dramaturg experience means I can work alongside writers, composers and directors to develop projects from an initial concept to a fully realised production. It’s incredibly fulfilling, and I can’t wait to share news soon of some exciting collaborations in development.”
More about Nick Sidi
Nick’s 20-year career as an actor included countless roles in film and on television and numerous stage credits, including productions at the National Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic, Royal Exchange and in the West End.
His many television and film credits include This Life, Clocking Off, Hustle, Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, DCI Banks, The Thick of It and The Death of Stalin.
He is also an Executive Producer of the feature film The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, produced by Number 9 Films and Shadowplay Features. The film had its World Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival in 2024 and was released in the UK in May 2025, where it grossed over £8 million at the UK Box Office alone.
Nick also works as a freelance Dramaturg advising writers, directors and theatres in the shaping and creation of new work for the stage.
More about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry The Musical
Chichester Festival Theatre’s The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, based on Rachel Joyce’s bestselling novel, is playing the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London from 29 January to 18 April 2026.
Directed by Katy Rudd (Ballet Shoes, The Ocean at the End of the Lane), the show has a book by Rachel Joyce, and music by chart-topping indie musician Passenger (aka Mike Rosenberg).
The West End transfer will feature the stars from Chichester, with BAFTA-winner Mark Addy (The Full Monty, The Rig, Game of Thrones) returning to the role of Harold Fry, and Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (Sunday in the Park with George, Hello, Dolly!, Flowers for Mrs Harris) as Maureen.
Book tickets to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London
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