Behind the arras, reviews of professional and amateur theatre

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The lights are being turned on again as theatres are slowly coming back to life. We are not quite out of the woods yet but at least we can see a clearing in the distance. Theatres will do all they can to keep audiences safe and will rely on audiences to play their part by following whatever has been put in place for their protection.

Theatres need audiences, bums on seats, to recover, some to even survive, but, if you are still hesitant about going to the theatre at the moment, for whatever reason, you can still help by booking for shows later in the year or even next year to keep box offices ticking over.

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AMATEUR REVIEWS A-Z Index of affiliate reviews Reviews listed by affiliates Edith in The Dark, Hall Green Little Theatre The Dixie Swim Club,The Grange Players, The Grange Playhouse, Walsall Yes, Prime Minister, Swan Theatre Amateur Company Much Ado About Nothing, The Nonentities, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Barefoot in the Park, Highbury Theatre Centre The Invisible Man, Hall Green Little Theatre Absurd Person Singular, Sutton Arts Theatre Chase me Up Farndale Avenue, S’il Vous Plait, The Nonentities, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Blackthorn, Highbury Theatre Centre Confusions, Grange Players, Grange Playhouse, Walsall The Wizard of Oz, Sutton Arts Theatre Jack and The Beanstalk, Hall Green Little Theatre The Railway Children, The Nonentities, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster. The Christmas Elves, Mint Theatre Society Directory of leading amateur companies. If you want details about becoming an affiliate contact Sue Clarke. sue.clarke@behindthearras.com NEWS ARCHIVE Past reviews The Late John Slim's FINAL THOUGHTS SMALL THOUGHTS			THEATRE REVIEWS Reviews by title Reviews by theatre (If an older review is not found try Other reviews) LATEST REVIEWS Tell me on a Sunday, Malvern Theatres Beyond Borders,, Birmingham International Dance Festival. City of a Thousand Trades, Birmingham Royal Ballet A Splinter of Ice, Malvern Theatres The Turnip Field,, Stoke Repertory Theatre April in Paris,. Coventry Belgrade Rooms Rambert and Birmingham Hippodrome Jabala and The Jinn, online from Coventry Belgrade. The Color Purple on-line, filmed at co-producers Curve, Leicester. The Nutcracker, Birmingham Royal Ballet - online at Birmingham Rep The Little Mermaid, Derby Theatre - online Jack and the Beanstalk - online Coventry Belgrade Lazuli Sky, BRB, Birmingham Rep. ARCHIVE Coming soon HIGHBURY THEATRE CENTRE has a reunion to celebrate this month when the four members of Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society return after 14 years in David Tristram's fourth play in the comedy series, Lockdown in Little Grimley. More . THE NONENTITIES in Kidderminster are back on the boards this month with the first of four separate productions of monologues up to the end of July. More BRB's Cinderella had a ball with her prince in the splendid ballroom at the newly reopened Grand Hotel. More Strictly star Johannes Radebe will be bringing his Freedom tour to the Alexandra Theatre next year with dance and music from around the world. More Town Hall & Symphony Hall, plus The Spotted Dog have announced more details of the lineup for Jazz Fest, Birmingham’s new Jazz Festival, in August. More The Jersey Boys are on the road again and will be spending Christmas and New Year at the Alexandra Theatre from 7 December to 1 January 2022. More The lights are turning back on stages across the land as theatre prepares to return from enforced hibernation this month, and what ges and treats they have in store for us. More The Albany in Coventry is back - or at least it aims to be with a stunning piece of Fringe Theatre from the highly regarded Proforca Theatre Company on Sunday 30 May. More Performing arts Performing Arts Archive 1 2 NEWS THSH: A new name and a new look as Town Hall and Symphony Hall open up for live music again with a programme of international and home grown stars. More Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the Disney classic film, 50 years old this year, takes to the stage in August in a world premiere musical which will be bringing its magic to the Alaxandra and the Grand. More Elmhurst Ballet School was hit by Covid both in its academic role and as a school of performing arts but recovery is underway with pupils returning to the stage for an engaging summer bill to showcase their talents. More Town Hall and Symphony Hall will be swinging to the beat this summer with the return of the Jazzlines Summer School from Performances Birmingham Limited, a free weeklong course for aspiring jazz musicians aged 11-19 all running alongside the city's Jazz FM sponsored Jazz Festival. More Birmingham Royal Ballet has appointed Ballet Master and former Principal Dancer Dominic Antonucci as its new Assistant Director. More Elmhurst Ballet School ends a tumultuous year and its Principal, Jessica Wheeler talks about the problems faced by her and her staff protecting and teaching pupils form around the world. More FEATURES BIDF: After falling victim to Covid lockdowns last year Birmingham International Dance Festival is back with an on-line June festival and a full blown live encore in September. More Raising a glass, or five, to Elmhurst Ballet School in the cause of helping to fund the ballet and dance stars of tomorrow. More DARK THOUGHTS With theatres closed and dark, reviewers turn their thoughts to things theatrical The £1.57bn Government funding is a welcome boost to the Arts but many of the problems facing the cultural sector still remain. The cash is much needed help but is not a cure. More The Arts from bands in small venues to grand opera and symphony orchestras is in trouble. Theatres will remain closed, companies will fold, all consumed by coronavirus without a financial lifeline from the Government. More The Scottish Play and other mysteries of the superstitions of theatre explored . . . carefully . . . More Theatres have always provided a welcome home for ghosts as Roger Clarke finds out More Jeff Grant looks back on a meeting with the Prince of Darkness. More Contact roger_clarke@behindthearras.com

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	Latest
	HIGHBURY THEATRE CENTRE has a reunion to celebrate this month when the four members of Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society return after 14 years in David Tristram's fourth play in the comedy series, Lockdown in Little Grimley. More. THE NONENTITIES in Kidderminster are back on the boards this month with the first of four separate productions of monologues up to the end of July. More BRB's Cinderella had a ball with her prince in the splendid ballroom at the newly reopened Grand Hotel. More ALEXANDRA THEATRE: Strictly star Johannes Radebe will be bringing his Freedom tour to the Alex next year with dance and music from around the world. More TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL, PLUS THE SPOTTED DOG have announced more details of the lineup for Jazz Fest, Birmingham's new Jazz Festival in August. More THE JERSEY BOYS are on the road again and will be spending Christmas and New Year at the ALexandra Theatre from 7 December to 1 January 2022. More THEATRE IS BACK: The lights are turning back on stages across the land as theatre prepares to return from enforced hibernation this month, and what ges and treats they have in store for us. More Rosie Kay Dance Company launch two world premieres this year with Adult Female Dancer as part of Rosie Kay's one woman triple bill, Absolute Solo II at Birmingham Rep next month and Romeo + Juliet at Birmingham Hippodrome in September. More The Albany in Coventry is back - or at least it aims to be with a stunning piece of Fringe Theatre from the highly regarded Proforca Theatre Company on Sunday 30 May. More Derby Theatre: Single Shoe Productions and Derby Theatre have a free Zoom workshop on Saturday (6 March)highlighting the #TakeUsThere series from Lockdown Mk 1. More Birmingham Royal Ballet's celebrated Sir Peter Wright production of The Nutcracker might have fallen victim to Covid but you can't keep a good ballet down and it has been moved online to be enjoyed by ballet fans and families around the world with a live stream from Birmingham Rep on 18 December and then pay per view to Christmas Eve. More OH Yes they Are!!! Birmingham Hippodrome and Qdos are bringing a socially-distanced Panto to Brum in January with Robin Hood at the Alexandra Theatre starring Matt Slack, Craig Revel Horwood, Doreen Tipton and Richard Cadell and Sooty. More Birmingham Royal Ballet: You are invited to a birthday party by BRB at Birmingham Town Hall in celebration and as thank you for the company's 30 years in the city, More Women & Theatre's film exploring the lives and experiences of more than 40 women in Birmingham and the Black Country during Lockdown Mark 1 has its world premiere on YouTube for free this weekend. More
		Actor Samuel West makes a heartfelt plea to save funding for theatres - More
	News and features
	THSH: A new name and a new look as Town Hall and Symphony Hall open up for live music again with a programme of international and home grown stars. More
	Birmingham Royal Ballet is heading back to its home stage of Birmingham Hippodrome in October and has announced its programme from Romeo and Juliet to the festive Nutcracker. More
	Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the Disney classic film, 50 years old this year, takes to the stage in August in a world premiere musical which will be bringing its magic to the Alaxandra and the Grand. More
	Elmhurst Ballet School was hit by Covid both in its academic role and as a school of performing arts but recovery is underway with pupils returning to the stage for an engaging summer bill to showcase their talents. More
	BIDF: After falling victim to Covid lockdowns last year Birmingham International Dance Festival is back with an on-line June festivaland a full blown live encore in September. More
	Town Hall and Symphony Hall will be swinging to the beat this summer with the return of the Jazzlines Summer School from Performances Birmingham Limited, a free weeklong course for aspiring jazz musicians aged 11-19 all running alongside the city's Jazz FM sponsored Jazz Festival. More
	Birmingham Hippodrome is helping to give emerging talent a helping hand with live streams of TEDxYouth@Brum and UniSlam this month. More
	Birmingham Royal Ballet has appointed Ballet Master and former Principal Dancer Dominic Antonucci as its new Assistant Director. More
	Elmhurst Ballet School ends a tumultuous year and its Principal, Jessica Wheeler talks about the problems faced by her and her staff protecting and teaching pupils form around the world. More
	Birmingham Royal Ballet's Marion Tait is to step down as assistant director at the end of the year. More
	Midland Theatres given a share of the Government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund More
	Malvern Theatres has dipped a toe in the water and opened for live theatre again under Covid conditions with its own production of Mooney and his caravans - so, what was it like? More
	Birmingham Royal Ballet are back on stage, albeit the paved terrace of Rowheath Pavilion with a special performance of ballet class and dance along with the city's Sampad company, More
	Stan's Cafe head into the world of call centres from living rooms and back bedrooms in For Quality Purposes, online More
	Rosie Kay's Dance Company was to perform again at the Edinburgh Festival but with the festival forced to move on-line the Birmingham company will be joining up again with Army@TheFringe for a first streaming of 10 Soldiers on 12 August. More
	The £1.57bn Government funding is a welcome boost to the Arts but many of the problems facing the cultural sector still remain. The cash is much needed help but is not a cure. More
	Theatre and the arts facing financial meltdown with the prospect of theatre and venue closures and even orchestras folding without Government help. More
	Wolverhampton Grand has been awarded an Arts Council grant to assist in its community programmes More
	Birmingham theatre company Stan's Cafe will be serving up a virtual menu from the end of June with a sort of takeaway theatre in Stan's Internet Cafe. More
	Lichfield Garrick will be holding auditions by video for youngsters to join the cast of this year's panto, Peter Pan, which is scheduled to open on 26 November this year. More
	BE FESTIVAL: To BE or not to BE has been decided. It will BE and Birmingham's popular European performance and arts festival will be going ahead, online next month. More
	Elmhurst Ballet School and English National Ballet School are continuing to teach with lessons and classes on line with a video produced by students to show them practising at home. More
	Elmhurst Ballet School: Teacher and choreographer Sander Blommaert is keeping dancers on their toes with free ballet classes every morning streamed live on Instagram More
	CORONAVIRUS: Colin Townsend, a dear friend and stalwart of amateur theatre in Sutton Coldfield has died of COVID-19. More
	*Birmingham Royal Ballet will be live streaming a ballet class tomorrow with a solo performance of The Swan* by Céline Gittens streamed live on April 8. More**
	Elmhurst Ballet School: Sixth form student Lydia Brayshaw has started her own fashion business and has opened with a fire sale with a difference, all in aid of the bushfire affected animals of Australia. More
	For more information, comments or views about the site you can contact us on roger.clarke@behindthearras.com

HIGHBURY THEATRE CENTRE has a reunion to celebrate this month when the four members of Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society return after 14 years in David Tristram's fourth play in the comedy series, Lockdown in Little Grimley. More.

THE NONENTITIES in Kidderminster are back on the boards this month with the first of four separate productions of monologues up to the end of July. More

BRB's Cinderella had a ball with her prince in the splendid ballroom at the newly reopened Grand Hotel. More

ALEXANDRA THEATRE: Strictly star Johannes Radebe will be bringing his Freedom tour to the Alex next year with dance and music from around the world. More

TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL, PLUS THE SPOTTED DOG have announced more details of the lineup for Jazz Fest, Birmingham's new Jazz Festival in August. More

THE JERSEY BOYS are on the road again and will be spending Christmas and New Year at the ALexandra Theatre from 7 December to 1 January 2022. More

THEATRE IS BACK: The lights are turning back on stages across the land as theatre prepares to return from enforced hibernation this month, and what ges and treats they have in store for us. More

Rosie Kay Dance Company launch two world premieres this year with Adult Female Dancer as part of Rosie Kay's one woman triple bill, Absolute Solo II at Birmingham Rep next month and Romeo + Juliet at Birmingham Hippodrome in September. More

The Albany in Coventry is back - or at least it aims to be with a stunning piece of Fringe Theatre from the highly regarded Proforca Theatre Company on Sunday 30 May. More

Derby Theatre: Single Shoe Productions and Derby Theatre have a free Zoom workshop on Saturday (6 March)highlighting the #TakeUsThere series from Lockdown Mk 1. More

OH Yes they Are!!! Birmingham Hippodrome and Qdos are bringing a socially-distanced Panto to Brum in January with Robin Hood at the Alexandra Theatre starring Matt Slack, Craig Revel Horwood, Doreen Tipton and Richard Cadell and Sooty. More

Birmingham Royal Ballet: You are invited to a birthday party by BRB at Birmingham Town Hall in celebration and as thank you for the company's 30 years in the city, More

Women & Theatre's film exploring the lives and experiences of more than 40 women in Birmingham and the Black Country during Lockdown Mark 1 has its world premiere on YouTube for free this weekend. More