Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

We Will Rock You- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on May 24, 2022 by garylongden

***** A jukebox musical of Queen hits with a libretto written by comedian Ben Elton. Since it opened at the Dominion theatre in London in 2002 it  has played to over 600,000 people there alone,  and over fifteen million worldwide. … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

Posted on May 3, 2022 by garylongden

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Derby theatre Playwright Jim Cartwright is one of our most important contemporary English  dramatists. “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”  is one of his finest achievements. First performed in 1992 on … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

Emperor’s New Clothes – Derby Theatre

Posted on April 12, 2022 by garylongden

– The Emperor’s New  Clothes – Derby Theatre This Easter Holiday production continues the tradition of high quality family shows at Derby. With the pantomime season bighted by the impact of covid, it  is an opportunity to draw the whole … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

Sheila’s Island – Derby Theatre

Posted on March 23, 2022 by garylongden

New modern  stage comedy is at a premium, “Sheila’s Island” is a good attempt at rectifying that. Billed as a  comedy in thick fog it is written by  Tim Firth whose stage writing credits include Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

Darren Stanton

Posted on August 25, 2021 by garylongden

The Human Lie Detector – Darren Stanton, Nottingham Antenna Theatre, 24/8/21 Darren Is an ubiquitous presence  on television, from breakfast television to investigative reporting. His skill is in body language and rooting out lies from  both the famous, and notorious. … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

The Book of Mormon – Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on March 9, 2020 by garylongden

I waited for curtain up with no preconceptions. I did not know the plot. I knew none of the songs. I did know that the show has been phenomenally successful on Broadway and the West End grossing over $500m since … Continue reading →

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

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on February 26, 2020 by garylongden

**** On a wet, windy, wintry Wolverhampton midweek evening, there has to be a very good reason to go out. Fortunately, this production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice, provides … Continue reading →

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

Red Shoes – Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on February 12, 2020 by garylongden

  Red Shoes – Birmingham Hippodrome ***** I am slowly working my way through Mathew Bourne’s repertoire. Single-handedly, he has introduced me to ballet as an enjoyable art form. He seems to have had the same affect on others, the … Continue reading →

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

Aladdin – Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on December 11, 2019 by garylongden

***** Pantomime at the revamped Town Hall is fast becoming an essential feature of the Sutton Coldfield Arts scene. This year it returns, courtesy of the Production Exchange, with a revamped “Aladdin”, amongst the most traditional of pantomime shows. An … Continue reading →

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

Two Trains Running – Derby Theatre

Posted on October 23, 2019 by garylongden

  Two Trains Running – Derby Theatre **** This was a bold production for Derby Theatre to show. Two Trains Running is written by American playwright August Wilson, the sixth in his ten-part series The Pittsburgh Cycle. The play premiered … Continue reading →

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