Tag Archives: Sutton Arts Theatre

The Full Monty- Sutton Arts, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on September 12, 2026 by garylongden

The Full Monty- Sutton Arts ***** This is the stage play, not the musical. Although the musical has become contemporaneously  synonymous with  a hen night/ girl’s night out, its origins are darker,  more serious and profound. Sutton Arts, with Emily … 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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Dick Whittington – Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on December 10, 2018 by garylongden

**** Dick Whittington is one of the better pantomimes with a well known and coherent narrative. The show is written, and directed, by Dexter and Emily Whitehead who know a thing or two about pantomimes. They understand the formula, and … Continue reading →

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Behind the Arras Theatre Review of the Year 2017 by Gary Longden

Posted on January 2, 2018 by garylongden

  Reviewing theatre is a great job. I still get a shiver of excitement as the house lights dim, expectation tinged with uncertainty. When that goes I will stop. I have seen two shows a month this year at seven … Continue reading →

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A Streetcar Named Desire – Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on March 15, 2017 by garylongden

****   This multiple prize winning drama from Tennessee Williams rightly remains a favourite with audiences and theatrical companies alike. It is also hugely challenging. Its reputation guarantees a good house, but the roster of actors who have taken parts, … Continue reading →

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A Doll’s House, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on February 7, 2015 by garylongden

This production is the latest example of the bold programming by Sutton Arts Theatre. Straight plays always have to work harder to win an audience than other theatrical genres, and period writing has to work harder still. Yet “ A … Continue reading →

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Relatively Speaking, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on October 23, 2014 by garylongden

This is where it all started for Sir Alan Ayckbourn, his first hit play. Originally entitled “Meet Your Father” it premiered in Scarborough in 1965, as was to become Ayckbourn’s custom, before becoming a hit in London’s West End in … Continue reading →

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Journey’s End, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on September 1, 2014 by garylongden

Amongst the myriad events marking the centenary of the start of the First World War,Sutton Arts Theatre chose R C Sherriff’s “Journeys End” as their offering. Written in 1928, some fourteen years after the event, Sherriff originally struggled to find … Continue reading →

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The Kingfisher, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on May 1, 2014 by garylongden

This was a left-field choice by Sutton Arts, a seldom performed piece written over a quarter of a century ago. Author William Douglas Home’s lineage is as the maverick brother of Tory PM Sir Alec . He lived in the … Continue reading →

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs- Sutton Arts Theatre Company, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on December 4, 2013 by garylongden

***** Snow White is one of the better pantomime stories. The versatile Sutton Arts Theatre company chose their production well for this year. Director Emily Armstrong has done a fabulous job in putting her own spin on the story, in … Continue reading →

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