Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Morecambe Poetry Festival 2026

Posted on September 28, 2026 by garylongden

Dear Mr Panesh I would like to complain about your poetry festival It is billed as a three day festival, yet it started on Thursday night and finished in the early hours of Monday morning, that is five days. Can … Continue reading →

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A Passionate Woman – Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield, by Kay Mellor

Posted on September 16, 2026 by garylongden

***** This 1993 play  is characterised  by dry northern wit, knowing ridiculousness and profound  sadness. A story of love, loss and relationships. It helps to know a little about Kay Mellor, the playwright’s background. Mellor was born in Leeds on … Continue reading →

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The Full Monty- Sutton Arts, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on September 12, 2026 by garylongden

The Full Monty- Sutton Arts ***** This is the stage play, not the musical. Although the musical has become contemporaneously  synonymous with  a hen night/ girl’s night out, its origins are darker,  more serious and profound. Sutton Arts, with Emily … Continue reading →

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Till the Stars Come Down – Nottingham Playhouse

Posted on September 7, 2026 by garylongden

***** A wonderful Abigail’s party style dive into the lives of ordinary people- this time at a Mansfield wedding. Caroline Steinbeis directs with style, verve and pace. The ceremony plays out in real time at Beth Steel’s Till The Stars Come Down, … Continue reading →

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Highbury Theatre, Boldmere, Sutton Colfield 2026/27 programe preview

Posted on August 12, 2026 by garylongden

A Passionate Woman,by Kay Mellor15th– 26th Sept 2026 Summary: a period  kitchen sink drama. Bogged down by a 30-year listless marriage, on the morning of her son’s wedding she takes refuge in the attic of her home where she relives … Continue reading →

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The Odyssey – film Review

Posted on July 27, 2026 by garylongden

Yes it is long, very long. But it is an epic so what do you expect? Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon and Tom Holland star in Christopher Nolan’s Homeric adaptation . / At a time when cinema has apeared artificial and … Continue reading →

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Emma Clowsley – Midland Fringe Festival, Lych gate tavern, Wolverhampton, 26/7/26

Posted on July 27, 2026 by garylongden

Securing Emma was a coup for the Midlands Fringe, a stalwart of the Brighton and Ledbury festivals she had come to  promote her new show and book ,”Mid Life Lesbian” – Emma Clowsley  is a Queer, neurodivergent writer,  bringing rural … Continue reading →

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The Market Deeping Model Railway Club – Playhouse Nottingham 6/7/26

Posted on July 20, 2026 by garylongden

**** It is not often that I am able to see a World Premiere, but that is what happened this evening for the debut of William Ivory’s new play . Ivory’s previous popular offering was the screen play for “Made … Continue reading →

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The Bodyguard- Royal Concert Hall Nottingham

Posted on July 20, 2026 by garylongden

Rumour is that Nigel Farage sponsored the show for £5m *** This was my third visit to the show over the yeard, the two previously had featured Alexandra Burke in the starring role. The billed star attraction was Sidonie Smith, … Continue reading →

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Fawlty Towers- Nottingham Royal Theatre

Posted on June 5, 2026 by garylongden

Fawlty Towers- Nottingham Royal Theatre Enjoying the soubriquet ‘Greatest British Sitcom of All Time’ (Radio Times), Fawlty Towers is back is back – this time on stage! 50 years since it first graced our TV screens, it morphs into a … Continue reading →

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