Monthly Archives: December 2018

Behind the Arras Theatre Review of the Year 2018 by Gary Longden

Posted on December 28, 2018 by garylongden

Theatre continues to be very strong locally, both professionally, and amateur. I count myself fortunate to be able to see so much of it. I write almost all of my reviews immediately after I have returned home from a production, … Continue reading →

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Beauty and the Beast – Sutton Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on December 24, 2018 by garylongden

***** The Beauty and the Beast story has been popularised in modern times by Disney. However, the original folk story, was written in 1740 and set in France, by Gabrielle- Suzanne de Villeneuve. Popularised in this version for pantomime by … Continue reading →

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Preview of Caroline’s Kitchen, by Torben Betts, Derby Theatre, 24th- 26th Jan 2019

Posted on December 15, 2018 by garylongden

  Strong modern comedy in theatre is at a premium. Ayckbourn and Benfield penned productions still endure, albeit to an ageing audience , drawn on themes which are forty to fifty years old, and feel it. Even the odd Brian … Continue reading →

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Chantel McGregor – Flowerpot, Derby

Posted on December 15, 2018 by garylongden

It has been a considerable length of time since I last went to a gig to see a headline artist whose material I had never heard. But my friend Gary, who had seen Chantel four times before, highly recommended her, … 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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Pete Shelley 1955- 2018 – an Obituary

Posted on December 7, 2018 by garylongden

I am not enamoured by the grief fests which sometimes surround the deaths of figures in the public eye. The overwhelming majority of people will never have met or known the individual, their perception distorted through the prism of media, … Continue reading →

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Hansel & Gretel – Derby Theatre

Posted on December 5, 2018 by garylongden

This fable is probably the most well-known fairy tale written by the German Brothers Grimm, first published in 1812. Hansel and Gretel are a young brother and sister kidnapped by a crafty cannibalistic witch living in the forest in a … Continue reading →

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