The year is 1973 and changes are afoot in Great Yarmouth and Brokencliff-on-Sea as the New Year comes in with bang! Return to a simpler time when family holidays at the seaside were still fun and electronic devices had never been heard of. The only sound that was heard was the gentle lapping of the waves, the gulls circling above, and the trot of the horse's hooves along the promenade and music from the funfairs.

The summer season theatre scene in Great Yarmouth and Brokencliff on Sea continues in this fourth novel by Tony Gareth Smith. Meet the stars that made the seaside come alive in the summer and the landladies that provided accommodation. The year is 1972 a c A galvanised bucket was found at the scene of the crime a " just who did survive the Golden Sands fire? a c Will the landladies of GAGGA be persuaded to use wholesaler a Murdell and Pococka ? a c Cupid has been busy firing arrows, but just who was in the firing line? a c Meet interior designer Sandie Cross as she does her best to dress up the outdated dA (c)cor of The Beach Croft Hotel a c Can the Sparrows Nest, Lowestoft be sure of a star line up for their summer season? a c Freda finds another perfume that should carry a health warning! a c Will the plays at The Little Playhouse help resurrect repertory at Brokencliff on Sea? a c Lady Samantha of Owlerton Hall plans some much needed restoration work on the crumbling building, with or without the support of Sir Harold a c Lilly Brockett plays a dangerous game a c Reverend George makes a life changing decision All of this and more can be found within the pages of a Backstagea , a trip back in time to gentler times when mobile meant being able to walk about. Also by the same author: Twice Nightly, To Catch a Falling Star and Curtains. All available on line from The Great British Bookshop (https://thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk), Amazon, Waterstones and all good on-line book retailers. Visit Tonya s website: www.twicenightly.net

The year is 1971 and Great Yarmouth, along with all parts of the United Kingdom, must get to grips with decimal currency, widely known as "the new money". Some, more than others will find the transition difficult, but none more so that Maud's sister, Enid in her gift shop. Don Stevens and Rita Ricer pull together another line-up of variety artistes to headline The Golden Sands Theatre for a twice nightly summer season show but with the added pressure of a small theatre in crisis at the neighbouring Brokencliff-on-Sea, that it seems only Rita can help to save. * What secret is the new backstage manager hiding? * Find out if running a hotel is all it is cracked up to be * Who will be topping this year's bill at The Golden Sands? * Rock star Rick O'Shea sets a certain landlady's heart aflutter * Will Freda's new perfume cause a stink with the locals? * A new guest house launches, but with a difference * And the question on every landlady's lips: "Who will be head of GAGGA?" Back with his unique mix of Great Yarmouth locals, landladies and variety stars, Tony Gareth Smith revisits the seaside pleasures of yesteryear and reminds us when summer holidays were simpler and didn't involve the use of electronic mobile gadgets. So settle down with a quarter of your favourite sweets or a cup of tea and a cream horn and enjoy this year's most relaxing read.With the added bonus of a short story, Boarding Tonight preceding the main feature "Curtains", it is fun, fun, fun all the way...

Tony Gareth Smith takes readers on another trip down memory lane to the Norfolk Coast's Brightest Seaside Resort - Great Yarmouth. The Golden Sands Theatre plays host to the summer season show of 1970. Once more Don Stevens brings together a variety of acts with the much loved Derinda Daniels topping the bill. Meet a galaxy of new artistes including The Olanzos, Jonny Adams, Ricky Drew and the return of old favourite Ted Ricer. Say hello again to Maud Bennett, the box office queen and keen knitter. Find out if Jim Donnell's daughter Debbie presents him with a grandson or granddaughter. Discover if Dave and his partner Dan are still together. Will Enid ever get to grips with decimal currency? Who is the new theatre cleaner with her trusty mop and bucket? Meet theatrical agent Audrey Audley. Secrets, Memories, Laughs, Loves and Losses are all within the pages of the sequel to "Twice Nightly" "To Catch a Falling Star". With an eye for detail, Tony's characters come alive on the page as the sounds of the seaside play gently in the background. Tying up some loose ends that readers were eager to have answers to, return to a gentler time, where computers and mobiles were something only talked about on "Tomorrows World". Also included is the short story "The Landladies Convention". The Annual Dinner Dance is on the horizon and Muriel, Freda and Lucinda all have their eye on the coveted prize of the Silver Cup and Sash for the Guest House Landlady of the Year Award 1969. Who wins, who loses? The results are bound to cause upset and surprises for all three.

When Don Stevens is asked at short notice to stage a pre-season summer show at the Golden Sands Theatre, Great Yarmouth in 1969 he pulls together variety acts he has worked with before, with one exception - the leading lady, June Ashby. Making up the company are 'Man of Magic' Mystic Brian, comedian Ted Ricer, the Jenny Benjamin Dancers, the Maurice Beeney Orchestra and fresh from Opportunity Knocks, the Dean Sisters, a mind-blowing balancing act. Lots of interest is aroused by the return of June Ashby to the stage. The locals are intrigued about why a West End leading lady should play an end-of-the-pier show after being absent from the theatre for five years. Will this be a new beginning for the once-loved star, or will her world come tumbling down - ? Has Don Stevens bitten off more than he can chew by going "twice nightly"? Will Maud Bennett at the box office ever finish her knitting? What secret is cleaner Lilly Brockett hiding? And will Freda and Muriel ever agree on what to give their paying guests? Intrigue, mystery and comedy abound; this is a story that will appeal to all those who love variety entertainment and have experienced a holiday in a British seaside resort.