Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

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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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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