Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Relatively Speaking, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on October 23, 2014 by garylongden

This is where it all started for Sir Alan Ayckbourn, his first hit play. Originally entitled “Meet Your Father” it premiered in Scarborough in 1965, as was to become Ayckbourn’s custom, before becoming a hit in London’s West End in … Continue reading →

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Dreamboats and Miniskirts, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Posted on October 13, 2014 by garylongden

This jukebox musical is a sequel to “Dreamboats and Petticoats”, shifting the musical spotlight from fifties rock and roll to sixties pop, but retaining the same winning formula. Once again, the formidable Bill Kenwright production machine is behind the show, … Continue reading →

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Blockbuster, the Musical- New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Posted on September 23, 2014 by garylongden

It’s Neat- We Really Love Your Tiger feet The component parts of this brand new jukebox musical are impressive. No-one listening to the radio in the 1970’s could have escaped the song writing of Chinn and Chap, Nicky Chinn and … Continue reading →

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Open All Hours- Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Posted on September 21, 2014 by garylongden

F-f-fantastic show Open All Hours started life as a BBC television sitcom created, and written, by Roy Clarke for the BBC. It ran for 26 episodes in four series from 1976 to 1985 and regularly features in the Top Ten … Continue reading →

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AC/DCUK – Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Posted on September 20, 2014 by garylongden

High Voltage Rock n Roll Although I am a rock fan whose tastes were forged in the vintage years of the 1970’s, somehow AC/DC passed me by. I saw all of their illustrious contemporaries live, but whilst being aware of … Continue reading →

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The Songs of Sister Act – Lichfield Garrick

Posted on September 18, 2014 by garylongden

Out of the Habit Sister Act has been a hugely successful film and stage musical, the former driven by the charisma and personality of Whoopi Goldberg. The gospel soul tinged music is evergreen, and so it is not surprising that … Continue reading →

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Open All Hours is coming to the Lichfield Garrick

Posted on September 15, 2014 by garylongden

Open All Hours, an adaptation of Roy Clarke’s sitcom, is coming to the Lichfield Garrick on Saturday and Sunday,20th and 21st, of September. It has toured around the Midlands, taking in Burton on Trent, Stamford, Redditch, Solihull and Shrewsbury. I … Continue reading →

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Ladykillers, The Grange Players, Grange Playhouse, Walsall

Posted on September 11, 2014 by garylongden

The Ladykillers is a stage adaptation written by Graham Linehan based on the Ealing comedy film of the same name which premièred at the Liverpool Playhouse in November 2011. Only just released for amateur performance, the Grange Players are fortunate … Continue reading →

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Journey’s End, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on September 1, 2014 by garylongden

Amongst the myriad events marking the centenary of the start of the First World War,Sutton Arts Theatre chose R C Sherriff’s “Journeys End” as their offering. Written in 1928, some fourteen years after the event, Sherriff originally struggled to find … Continue reading →

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20th Century Boy- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on June 30, 2014 by garylongden

Modern musicals based upon pop stars and their music continue to find a place on stage. That place is determined by a number of factors; the star quality of the artist, whether they are dead or not, whether they still … Continue reading →

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