Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Murder at Midnight

Posted on September 10, 2025 by garylongden

It is September  , the children are back at school, temperatures are falling and Derby Theatre has a scorching world premier  tour from leading contemporary playwright Torben Betts to open the autumn  season. A strong cast of television veterans includes … Continue reading →

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Buddy- Birmingham Hippodrome 28/8/25

Posted on August 28, 2025 by garylongden

**** This is my fourth visit to the show, the first being over two decades ago. In 1975 Jon Landau proclaimed Bruce Springsteen as the future of rock n roll. In 1958 Buddy Holly was the progenitor of the genre. … Continue reading →

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Rocky Horror show -Royal Concert hall Nottingham

Posted on August 10, 2025 by garylongden

This was my fourth time over the years that I have seen Rocky Horror. Like a fine wine it improves with age Jason Donovan slips on the heels   as Frank N Furter, supported by  Lauren Chia as Janet, Connor Carson … Continue reading →

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Tina- the musical, Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on July 3, 2025 by garylongden

**** I saw Tina Turner at Portman rd football ground Ipswich thirty five years ago in 1990. At fifty years old, she was fit, energetic and had a magnificent voice. In its seventh year (and the longest-running show) at the … Continue reading →

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John Wilson’s London Sinfonia- Symphony hall, Birmingham

Posted on June 30, 2025 by garylongden

***** Often described as a ‘super-orchestra’ , it brings together outstanding musicians from the UK and abroad, including principals and leaders from other orchestras, notable soloists and members of distinguished chamber groups. ‘Sinfonia of London sets the gold standard – … Continue reading →

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Sound of Music – Sutton Arts theatre- Sutton Coldfield

Posted on June 20, 2025 by garylongden

**** This is not a conventional review. Everyone knows the story, most have seen the film. There is an acting cast of upwards of  forty including rotation and a band of several. Director Emily Armstrong has had to morph into … Continue reading →

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Kiss me Quickstep- Derby Theatre

Posted on June 10, 2025 by garylongden

*** A criticism that could never be levelled at Derby Theatre is that it is predictable and boring. Next year we have the Classic Macbeth,  tonight we had Kiss me Quickstep a contemporaneous tilt at dramatizing the modern media interest … Continue reading →

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Just Between Ourselves – Derby Theatre

Posted on May 10, 2025 by garylongden

Just between ourselves *** A London Classic theatre production.  LCT have performed for twenty five years, this is their 49th Uk tour and their third Ayckbourn play .  “Just Between Ourselves”  was premiered  in 1976, almost a half century ago … Continue reading →

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Boys From the Blackstuff – Derby Theatre

Posted on April 11, 2025 by garylongden

***** This drama as a television series made an enormous impact upon me as a young man in my early 20’s. In my memory it stands out as one of the finest social dramas I have ever seen. Originally written … Continue reading →

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Spitfire Girls- Derby Theatre

Posted on April 10, 2025 by garylongden

***** This is a story with which I was already familiar. I always thought it would make a good drama and  Tilted Wig and MAST productions  have done it proud It features two female lead roles, itself a rarity, two … Continue reading →

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