Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Peter Pan – Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre, Lichfield Garrick

Posted on October 30, 2015 by garylongden

**** JM Barrie’s timeless children’s classic was an excellent choice for half term week in Lichfield. The libretto is unusually strong for a musical, and although the score is less familiar, it is instantly accessible, and works with the story, … Continue reading →

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Blood Brothers- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on October 27, 2015 by garylongden

An elite clutch of theatrical productions have a momentum of their own, selling out houses- because they do. Blood Brothers is one such production filling the Grand on a late autumnal Monday night. The audience was encouragingly mixed with a … Continue reading →

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Mindgame – Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on October 22, 2015 by garylongden

***** Author Anthony Horowitz is one of the most prolific and successful multi- media writers around, writing books, TV series, films, and plays . His best known work includes the bestselling teen spy series Alex Rider , and TV series … Continue reading →

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The Hound of the Baskervilles- Lichfield Garrick, Studio Theatre,

Posted on October 16, 2015 by garylongden

The Fired Up Theatre Company are starting to define the word versatile. From the rock opera’s of The Wall and Quadrophenia, and the thriller-scape of The Fell Walker, they now tackle this traditional murder mystery classic. Much played in numerous … Continue reading →

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The Glenn Miller Story – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on October 16, 2015 by garylongden

Glen Miller is a name that resonates amongst the second world war time generation. His music has endured to delight the generations that have followed. Born in 1904, Miller was an American big band musician, arranger, composer, and bandleader in … Continue reading →

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Hound of the Baskervilles – Coming to the Lichfield Garrick on Friday 17th/Sat 18th October 2015

Posted on October 11, 2015 by garylongden

The latest production from the Fired Up Theatre company, who have produced a string of recent successes including productions of The Wall, Quadrophenia ,and The Fell Walker ,is Hound of the Baskervilles. Deep in darkest Dartmoor, stands Baskerville Hall, a … Continue reading →

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Jodi Ann Bickley, Level Up, Birmingham Rep

Posted on September 25, 2015 by garylongden

Level Up, Season Four, Episode One- Birmingham Rep **** Some eight years ago I stumbled into the Old Crown at Digbeth on a January evening to take part in a poetry slam. The usual suspects were there, the usual topics … Continue reading →

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Brassed off- Derby Theatre

Posted on September 22, 2015 by garylongden

Some question the relevance of modern theatre to the world around it. Those doubters should take a trip along to the Derby Theatre to watch “Brassed Off”, a play about a closing colliery, and its brass band. Derbyshire was a … Continue reading →

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Noises Off- Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on September 7, 2015 by garylongden

Noises Off was written in 1982 play by artistic polymath Michael Frayn, a journalist, philosopher, and novelist as well as playwright. It was inspired in 1970, when Frayn was watching from the wings a performance of his own The Two … Continue reading →

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The Bodyguard- Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on August 7, 2015 by garylongden

I came to this show neutral, but curious. Whitney Houston, upon whose music, the show depends, has always been an enigma for me. A fine singer for sure, but neither she, nor her music, ever touched me. She entertained, but … Continue reading →

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