Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

***** Derby Theatre and Artistic Director Sarah Brigham have done it again. A superb award winning   new play which won plaudits and awards in London  has arrived in town! – This production has  very strong credentials. Having played, pre Covid … Continue reading →

As  a teenager the silky sound of the  Carpenters was just a little too smooth for me even though their songs were ubiquitous. As the years have unfolded, so has my appreciation of Karen and Richard.  Their ethereal vocals and … Continue reading →

After the purgatory of lockdown it was a joy to rediscover live theatre again.  The start of the year was still hamstrung by postponements and cancellations as Covid disrupted performances, three attempts to see “looking good Dead” starring Eastenders’ Adam … Continue reading →

April 2022 **** Like most, my introduction to this story was the eponymous 1980’s film blockbuster. It was not an obvious contender for a stage adaptation. However the original screenplay writer, James Dearden, revisits the original script to remould it … Continue reading →

A typically challenging and interesting programme from Sutton Arts, taking in their annual Christmas panto, and their now traditional late spring musical, but with some surprises in between including  an  off the beaten track play, an uproarious   modern farces, and … Continue reading →

Jack and the  Beanstalk – The Door, Birmingham Rep theatre ***** The Rep has not let us down this year with its Christmas offerings. The main house is presenting “Nativity the Musical” but in the smaller studio style theatre The … Continue reading →

***** Quite simply this is the best theatrical  production of Jekyll and Hyde that I have ever seen. This is not the first time that this story, originally a novella by  Robert Louis Stevenson,  first published in 1886 , has … Continue reading →

**** This is the seventh consecutive pantomime produced by  Evolution productions for the Garrick, with an eighth already booked in for next Christmas, “Sleeping beauty”. This year the season is its longest ever, from 25th Nov  through until 8th Jan … Continue reading →

**** The Wind in the Willows is a quintessentially  English children’s novel by  Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. It takes us into the fantasy pastoral  world  of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, and … Continue reading →

I was fortunate enough to see Cher on her epic 326 date Farewell tour in 2004. It was one of the greatest rock and pop shows that I have ever seen. She introduced the show with these words: “Ladies and … Continue reading →