Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

**** This is the seventh consecutive pantomime produced by  Evolution productions for the Garrick, with an eighth already booked in for next Christmas, “Sleeping beauty”. This year the season is its longest ever, from 25th Nov  through until 8th Jan … Continue reading →

**** The Wind in the Willows is a quintessentially  English children’s novel by  Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. It takes us into the fantasy pastoral  world  of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, and … Continue reading →

I was fortunate enough to see Cher on her epic 326 date Farewell tour in 2004. It was one of the greatest rock and pop shows that I have ever seen. She introduced the show with these words: “Ladies and … Continue reading →

**** I saw the original Alan Parker film, but this represented my first time seeing the stage show. Its artistic credentials are impeccable. The Commitments film was released in 1991  as  a musical comedy-drama film based on  the eponymous  1987 … Continue reading →

Jekyll and Hyde – Derby Theatre ***** This is not the first time that this story, originally a novella by  Robert Louis Stevenson,  first published in 1886 , has been presented as a play. It was  adapted for theatre in … Continue reading →

The King of Reggae- The man- The music- Birmingham Rep ***** ‘The King of Reggae- the man- the music”  Is a  production by the Rush Theatre Company celebrating the life and music of Bob Marley. It features  live onstage musicians … Continue reading →

It Runs in the Family – Highbury Theatre “It Runs in the Family” is a classic  British farce written by Ray Cooney in 1987 in the mid Elizabethen era. Highbury Theatre  itself is well appointed and intimate making it an … Continue reading →

Blood brothers- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre **** Somehow, over a period of time, a musical seeps into the national consciousness. It cannot happen overnight. A combination of word of mouth, and return visits create a critical mass, and for some very … Continue reading →

The Shawshank Redemption at Derby theatre **** For most of us this story will be remembered as a 1990’s film, which, after a slow box office start, was reappraised, enjoying considerable belated success on video rental re-establishing it as one … Continue reading →

n 2015  Derby theatre  staged “ Solace of the Road” the world premiere of Siobhan Dowd’s novel of loss and homecoming. “Home Girl” reprises an exploration of the Care system in visceral, essential style. It is a new stage adaptation … Continue reading →