Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Glorious! – Derby Theatre

Posted on February 24, 2026 by garylongden

Glorious! – Derby theatre A welcome revival of Peter Quilter’s play,  starring Wendi Peters of East Enders fame. It premiered at the Birmingham Rep 21 years ago before transferring to the West End for 200 shows and showing internationally. – … Continue reading →

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Constellations- Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on February 17, 2026 by garylongden

Constellations – The Studio, Highbury theatre, Sutton Colfdield **** “Constellations” is a bold, brave production, proof positive that amateur theatre can take on challenging work- and win. – Written by Nick Payne , a British playwright , Constellations premiered  in … Continue reading →

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A Kick in the Baubles – Sutton Arts

Posted on February 1, 2026 by garylongden

A kIck in the Baubles Sutton Arts have rekindled a little known gem with this production. – It is a family, domestic, one set,  melodrama which borrows from Alan Aykbourn’s  “seasons’ greetings” and Mike Leigh’s “ Abigail’s Party”. – Written … Continue reading →

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Aladdin- Sutton Arts theatre

Posted on December 13, 2025 by garylongden

Panto returns to Sutton Arts after a three year break with  a record breaking sold out run. Harriet Gordon stars as Aladdin giving the role, style, pizzazz , and a fine singing voice. – This is on of my favourite … Continue reading →

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Cinderella- Lichfield Garrick

Posted on December 13, 2025 by garylongden

Cinderella 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 … Continue reading →

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Oliver Twist- Derby Theatre

Posted on December 5, 2025 by garylongden

**** Christmas?  Bah humbug!  This is not the musical, instead an adaptation by Deborah McAndrew, directed by Sarah Brigham, of Dickens’ classic tale incorporating traditional tunes and original songs, played   and performed onstage by the cast, Eliza Waters realises it … Continue reading →

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Moulin Rouge – Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on November 15, 2025 by garylongden

***** Wow. The most spectacular stage musical I have ever seen. The most expensive theatre ticket I have ever bought- for the most lavish production that I have ever seen. there is probably an equivalence there. Could the zany opulence … Continue reading →

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Haunting Julia – Sutton Arts theatre, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on October 23, 2025 by garylongden

***** Haunting Julia- Sutton Arts Theatre A welcome revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s  1994 play, the first part of a trilogy  of Things That  Go Bump. The 2002 play Snake in the Grass ,and  Life and Beth,  being parts two and … Continue reading →

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Sunny Afternoon- Alexandra theatre, Birmingham

Posted on October 22, 2025 by garylongden

Sunny Afternoon- Alexandra theatre Birmingham ***** This is a terrific hybrid of the jukebox musical genre  featuring a band, the Kinks, who were at the heart of the 1960’s Great British musical invasion, and their inspiration, Ray Davies. Their story … Continue reading →

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Top Hat – Nottingham Theatre Royal

Posted on October 12, 2025 by garylongden

Autumn is here. Its becoming cold-  surely a cue for some old style Hollywood glitz? If you like song and dance, particularly tap dance, then this is your show. Visually it is  a sparkling, frothy  fizzy cocktail of mistaken identity … Continue reading →

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