Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

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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Little Shop of Horrors- Derby Theatre

Posted on June 3, 2026 by garylongden

**** Any revival of this 1982  ( and 1960) cult classic has two alternatives, to reimagine and embrace  the absurdist original source material , or go 2026 digital. This production takes option one with an innovative exception- the use of … Continue reading →

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Blood Brothers- Garrick theatre , Lichfield

Posted on May 17, 2026 by garylongden

Photo Jack Merriman **** – A production which seems omnipresent on the regional theatre circuit and one I have seen many times – Willy Russell’s tale has endured for a reason. Superficially it is the tale of twin brothers separated … Continue reading →

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Frankie Goes to Bollywood – Derby Theatre

Posted on May 13, 2026 by garylongden

**** As 1980’s pop recedes into ancient history so the  play with the playful Spoonerism title based around  the almost eponymous Eighties  hit band embarks on a nationwide tour. – All Photos Richard Lakos Bollywood style has been first a … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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