Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Do I Love You?- Derby Theatre

Posted on March 26, 2025 by garylongden

Do I Love You? Derby theatre **** Northern Soul  was a regionalised phenomena. Although a huge music fan myself , it barely touched the South where I lived as a teenager. In the Midlands and North it was massive. The … Continue reading →

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Bat out of Hell Musical – Alexandra theatre, Birmingham, 10/2/25

Posted on February 11, 2025 by garylongden

Bat out of hell- Alexandra Theatre *** This is music, an album, an era, which oozes nostalgia for me. I bought the album on release and saw ,Meat loaf perform the album live on the “bat”  tour Raven Will do … Continue reading →

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The Bowie Show- Nottingham Royal Court & Concert hall 27/1/25

Posted on January 28, 2025 by garylongden

The Bowie Show- Nottingham Royal Court and Concert hall, anonymous dancers! Created and directed by Simon Gwilliam. Produced by John Dalston and Simon Gwilliam This was the second date on the show’s nine date  soft opening provincial tour prior to … Continue reading →

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Dick Whittington- Stoke Regent theatre 15/12 /24

Posted on January 13, 2025 by garylongden

***** This was my first visit to Regent panto- it will not be my last I review professionally taking in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Derby and Lichfield so have much to compare. this was the best panto of the season! Kai Owen … Continue reading →

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Jack and the Beanstalk-Lichfield Garrick Theatre, 10/12/24

Posted on January 13, 2025 by garylongden

The safe option. A traditional panto, at a traditional panto theatre, performed by an experienced traditional theatre company albeit with untraditionally climbing ticket prices. – Firstly, a disclaimer, I have known the star, Dame Sam Rabone for fifteen years and … Continue reading →

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Chicago- Regent theatre Stoke

Posted on November 29, 2024 by garylongden

Starring Faye Brookes, Sinitta Malone and Kevin Clifton in this new production of the sexy sizzler that is Chicago some fifty years after the show debuted on Broadway in 1975. Please note that as the tour progresses nationwide, the lead … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Carol – Derby Theatre

Posted on November 28, 2024 by garylongden

 A Christmas Carol- Derby Theatre **** An all new production written  and adapted from the Dickens original by Mike Kenny and directed by Tom Bellerby. A clever set  (  by Jess Curtis who also designed the costumes) features the separate … Continue reading →

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Ben Elton, “Authentic Stupidity” tour – Wolverhampton Grand theatre

Posted on October 3, 2024 by garylongden

**** After spending time living and working in Australia, Ben is back. Back in England and back performing stand up comedy on the “Authentic Stupidity” tour, a vehicle for him to rail against the madness of contemporary life. Such is … Continue reading →

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An Officer and a Gentleman – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on September 24, 2024 by garylongden

** A musical , prodigy  of  the success of the eponymous 1982  film, dominated by the image of Richard Gere in a  white naval officer’s uniform. Pre -show, some Reagan soundbites are broadcast to transport us into 1980’s mode. He … Continue reading →

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Dracula – Derby Theatre

Posted on September 20, 2024 by garylongden

Dracula- Derby Theatre **** The phrase “landmark production” is much abused and  over used. For once, here, it is justified. One hundred years ago, on 15th May 1924, Hamilton Deane’s stage production of Dracula premiered  at the Grand Theatre Derby … Continue reading →

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