Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Tony Nominations 2026

Posted on May 6, 2026 by garylongden

Tony Nominations If you are reading this in New York the Tony awards nominations  have been announced . The magnificent Giant, which originally opened at London’s Royal Court, is in the running for best play. American star John Lithgow is … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

Disenchanted! – Lichfield Garrick Theatre 29/4/26

Posted on April 30, 2026 by garylongden

***** ( all photos Pamela Raith photography) In a remarkable coup for the Garrick  this is the Uk professional premiere of the off Broadway hit musical Disenchanted. – The 2022 Disenchanted film  was an American  Walt Disney live-action/animated musical fantasy … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barnum- Birmingham Hippodrome, 24/4/26

Posted on April 26, 2026 by garylongden

*** The story is that of Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-91) who ‘humbugged’ his way through life, written by Mark Bramble, Michael Stewart and Cy Coleman. It premiered on Broadway in 1980, where it starred Jim Dale as Barnum, it came to … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Rocky Horror show- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, 14/4/26

Posted on April 26, 2026 by garylongden

**** This was my fifth visit to the show, but my second in four days having previously seen it at the Leicester Curve, a modern theatre. Wolverhampton grand is a traditional theatre- and Grand! Richard O’Brien‘s audacious musical The Rocky Horror … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rocky Horror Show- The Curve, Leicester, 11/4/26

Posted on April 26, 2026 by garylongden

**** This was my fourth visit over the years to The Rocky Horror Show and my first to the Curve at Leicester for the final night of the week long run at the venue. over half of the audience were … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sunny Afteroon- Regent theatre, Stoke on trent

Posted on April 12, 2026 by garylongden

*****This was the third time I had seen the show on this tour, and the fourth overall. It continues to grow on me. For a detailed review search for the Nottingham Theatre and Alex theatre, Birmingham shows. What stood out … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Macbeth- Derby theatre

Posted on April 3, 2026 by garylongden

***** The East Midlands has been treated to Shakespeare’s greatest hits just recently. A few weeks  ago the RSC brought Hamlet to  Nottingham. Now Derby theatre in conjunction with Hull Truck Theatre , and Octagon Theatre Bolton, offer us Macbeth … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Priscilla Queen of the Desert- Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on March 30, 2026 by garylongden

Priscilla Queen of the desert- Birmingham Hippodrome **** Old sparkling favourite  Priscilla Queen Of The Desert returns to the Birmingham Hippodrome stage with a dazzling, brand new 30th anniversary tour production. An unseasonably cold, drab Tuesday evening in Birmingham , … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

Lad- Brunswick Inn, Derby

Posted on March 26, 2026 by garylongden

Lad- Brunswick Inn- Derby **** Lad is an immersive pop up  play by John Booker, set in a pub, and here, performed in a pub.it tackles masculinity and identity. Coincidentally I saw fellow East Midlands playwright’s James Howard’s production of … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Midsomer Murders, the Killings at Badgers Drift- Derby Theatre

Posted on March 26, 2026 by garylongden

Midsomer Murders- the Killings at Badgers Drift- Derby theatre *** The television series is something of a cult show now, as a packed Wednesday night demonstrated. All of the ingredients which make this murder mystery so compelling on screen were … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment