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Blue Door #4
Blue Door Venture
The fourth book in the Blue Door series, which starts with The Swish of the Curtain, the classic story which inspired actors from Maggie Smith to Eileen Atkins
'I wanted to act before I read this book, and afterwards there was no stopping me' Maggie Smith
During the afternoon rehearsal Mr Chubb poked his nose round the door and called out, 'You'd better be good this evening. Mrs Potter-Smith has just rung up and booked three seats.' They groaned expressively.
'Is that woman still alive?' demanded Maddy.
The Blue Door Theatre Company has finally been launched in Fenchester, and if they can manage the money worries, the temperamental heating and the rumours spread by their old enemy Mrs Potter-Smith, the young crew might actually make it a success - success that seems assured when an unexpected helper arrives.
But is Lucky everything he seems or is the brand-new Blue Door Theatre Company about to face its worst luck yet?
'I wanted to act before I read this book, and afterwards there was no stopping me' Maggie Smith
During the afternoon rehearsal Mr Chubb poked his nose round the door and called out, 'You'd better be good this evening. Mrs Potter-Smith has just rung up and booked three seats.' They groaned expressively.
'Is that woman still alive?' demanded Maddy.
The Blue Door Theatre Company has finally been launched in Fenchester, and if they can manage the money worries, the temperamental heating and the rumours spread by their old enemy Mrs Potter-Smith, the young crew might actually make it a success - success that seems assured when an unexpected helper arrives.
But is Lucky everything he seems or is the brand-new Blue Door Theatre Company about to face its worst luck yet?
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
About the author
Pamela Brown
117 books20 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
British writer, actress and television producer.
British writer, actress and television producer.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 26, 2023
Brown meets Blyton in ‘Blue Door Venture,’ which is more adventure than Blue Door. Whimsical and nostalgic reading for the holiday season.
April 13, 2019
My thanks to NetGalley and Steerforth Press/Pushkin Press for a review copy of this book.
This is book 4 in Pamela Brown’s Blue Door series about a group of children, now young adults, who had set up an amateur theatre in their town of Fenchester (based on her home town of Colchester), and after training at drama school have taken their little venture professional. After running the Blue Door theatre as a repertory company for a few months with encouraging but slow results, the Blue Doors happen to come across a young man named Lucky who works his way into the company as their Box Office man when old Mr Chubb falls ill. But while he is very active and does a lot of good for the business increasing their earnings, one fine day he disappears, and with him all the money that the Blue Doors had made off their Christmas pantomime. Now, they can no longer pay off their loan, nor keep the theatre open. And their nemesis Mrs Potter-Smith is losing no opportunity to raise obstacles in their way or cast aspersions. Does this mean their dream of running a repertory company is at an end? The police don’t seem to be getting anywhere in tracing Lucky so the Blue Doors decide that it is up to them to do it. While Maddy has to return to the Academy, it is decided that the three boys with pursue Lucky while the girls will get jobs and earn enough to keep the venture going.
This was once again an exciting and fun instalment in the series. While at the start we are entirely immersed in theatre life with the Blue Doors, as they deal with day-to-day problems and with the loan that hangs over their head, to run the theatre which requires constant investment which they can’t at that moment afford. Once again, the experiences and struggles that the children have in running the theatre are very real, and while they try to handle everything as best they can, and do falter from time to time, one is still a little in awe of how they manage to run a professional company at such a young age. Once Lucky strikes, the story turns into more of an adventure as the boys begin to trace him to different places. While the chase may be fun, it isn’t easy as they must manage on what little money they have going without enough food or rest for days. The connect with the theatre remains, however, through the girls’ experiences as they get different jobs and try to help the boys as best they can. This part is very exciting reading (taking one into an Enid Blyton, Famous Five-ish story) as one sees them pick up each little clue, and follow Lucky, trying to pin him down and get back their money, and of course also makes it different from the other entries in the series. This was a fast paced, quick (I finished it pretty much in a day) and fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed (as I did the earlier books in the series). I can’t wait to see what they get upto next, though it would seem the only book left in the series focuses once again on Maddy’s adventures (like Book 2).
This book was first published in 1949 and is being republished by Pushkin Press on 23 July 2019!
This is book 4 in Pamela Brown’s Blue Door series about a group of children, now young adults, who had set up an amateur theatre in their town of Fenchester (based on her home town of Colchester), and after training at drama school have taken their little venture professional. After running the Blue Door theatre as a repertory company for a few months with encouraging but slow results, the Blue Doors happen to come across a young man named Lucky who works his way into the company as their Box Office man when old Mr Chubb falls ill. But while he is very active and does a lot of good for the business increasing their earnings, one fine day he disappears, and with him all the money that the Blue Doors had made off their Christmas pantomime. Now, they can no longer pay off their loan, nor keep the theatre open. And their nemesis Mrs Potter-Smith is losing no opportunity to raise obstacles in their way or cast aspersions. Does this mean their dream of running a repertory company is at an end? The police don’t seem to be getting anywhere in tracing Lucky so the Blue Doors decide that it is up to them to do it. While Maddy has to return to the Academy, it is decided that the three boys with pursue Lucky while the girls will get jobs and earn enough to keep the venture going.
This was once again an exciting and fun instalment in the series. While at the start we are entirely immersed in theatre life with the Blue Doors, as they deal with day-to-day problems and with the loan that hangs over their head, to run the theatre which requires constant investment which they can’t at that moment afford. Once again, the experiences and struggles that the children have in running the theatre are very real, and while they try to handle everything as best they can, and do falter from time to time, one is still a little in awe of how they manage to run a professional company at such a young age. Once Lucky strikes, the story turns into more of an adventure as the boys begin to trace him to different places. While the chase may be fun, it isn’t easy as they must manage on what little money they have going without enough food or rest for days. The connect with the theatre remains, however, through the girls’ experiences as they get different jobs and try to help the boys as best they can. This part is very exciting reading (taking one into an Enid Blyton, Famous Five-ish story) as one sees them pick up each little clue, and follow Lucky, trying to pin him down and get back their money, and of course also makes it different from the other entries in the series. This was a fast paced, quick (I finished it pretty much in a day) and fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed (as I did the earlier books in the series). I can’t wait to see what they get upto next, though it would seem the only book left in the series focuses once again on Maddy’s adventures (like Book 2).
This book was first published in 1949 and is being republished by Pushkin Press on 23 July 2019!
July 9, 2019
This is certainly the most collaborative volume since book 1 and it was a delight to see the characters using their strengths to work together and overcome the obstacles in the path of Blue Door success. One most particular obstacle takes up much of the plot in this adventure. The boys and the girls must split into two groups to tackle the task before them in an efficient way. Despite the temptation to give up on their dream of running a theater company, they work to persevere. Values highlighted include loyalty, honesty, contentment, charity and more. Looking forward to Book 5!
Thank you to Pushkin and Edelweiss for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Pushkin and Edelweiss for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2020
This is book #4 in the Blue Door series by
Pamela Brown
about a group of seven children, who are now young adults, that had set up an amateur theatre in the town of Fenchester (a place based on the author's home-town of Colchester). Following their training at drama school, the group have turned professional.
I found this a compelling and hugely entertaining story. The first half of the book concerns the stress and hardship of the Blue Door Theatre Company in their first few months as professionals. The second half is less of a theatre story in Fenchester, and becomes more of a mission to succeed in their endeavours elsewhere. Despite the temptation to give up on their dream of running a theatre company, they all persevere with their goal.
Blue Door Venture is a mesmerising tale highlighting the values of honesty, loyalty, fulfilment, goodwill and many more. A wonderful read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Pushkin Press via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
I found this a compelling and hugely entertaining story. The first half of the book concerns the stress and hardship of the Blue Door Theatre Company in their first few months as professionals. The second half is less of a theatre story in Fenchester, and becomes more of a mission to succeed in their endeavours elsewhere. Despite the temptation to give up on their dream of running a theatre company, they all persevere with their goal.
Blue Door Venture is a mesmerising tale highlighting the values of honesty, loyalty, fulfilment, goodwill and many more. A wonderful read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Pushkin Press via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
January 30, 2020
I was lucky enough to receive all 5 of the Pushkin Press reprints of the Blue Door books for Christmas (well, I made my own luck by buying them myself and giving them to my husband to wrap and put under the tree). I’ve completed my re-reads of the first three books and finally I’ve got to number four, which I had never read before.
It’s a great, fast-moving story. I preferred the first half, which concerns the trials and tribulations of the Blue Door Theatre Company in their first few months as professionals, to the second half, which is less a theatre story and more of an adventure story - however as soon as Maddy got involved again towards the end, I was in seventh heaven. I think she might be my favourite character in all of children’s literature - funny, confident, resourceful, never afraid to stand up for what’s right but in absolutely no way a prig. I am very excited that the final book is entitled “Maddy Again” - I think it might be right up my street.
It’s a great, fast-moving story. I preferred the first half, which concerns the trials and tribulations of the Blue Door Theatre Company in their first few months as professionals, to the second half, which is less a theatre story and more of an adventure story - however as soon as Maddy got involved again towards the end, I was in seventh heaven. I think she might be my favourite character in all of children’s literature - funny, confident, resourceful, never afraid to stand up for what’s right but in absolutely no way a prig. I am very excited that the final book is entitled “Maddy Again” - I think it might be right up my street.
March 31, 2020
Finally, the seven have achieved their dream, and their professional theatre is a reality. But how long will it last? Cold weather, inefficient heat, and bad publicity are only the beginning of their troubles. Can they come up with a plan to solve them, once and for all, or will they have to say goodbye to their dream, forever? Fast-paced and interesting, this book is hard to put down. Recommended.
December 17, 2020
I'm always so happy when reading about my favourite group of characters ever and i'm really sad that this was the last ensemble cast lead book. (Maddy seems to get on my nerves a lot) although i have grown up a bit since reading and falling in love with the first one and so it is a bit of an easy read now, I loved this and I adore Lynette.
July 9, 2019
The dream is now a form of reality for the Blue Door team.They have big plans and they set them into motion. There is systematic planning and the sun is not going to shine forever. This book takes the story a step further into seriousness with an odd obstacle coming their way. They have to regroup and access their situation. Their plan may seem extreme and unnecessary but the persevere. This episode might seem to be a little long but the adventure that they face defines them in never ways.
The kids who first started Blue Doors on a whim now have education under their belt and experience with other small companies (for a few of them) and learn about all the kinds of people that make up the real world around them. It is an interesting study of the times and how the trust between a group of people maintains balance in their lives. There is not even one iota of romance in the classic sense in these tales and I think it works well as something younger audience can read (despite the odd cigarette and pipe smoking situation).There are enough to-do steps here to deter children from jumping on to the bandwagon after reading the book if they are not completely committed. Some of them learn harder lessons than others but by the end they have a new goal and a plan in place.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who thinks the synopsis or my review is even the remotest bit interesting.
I received ARC of the reprints thanks to NetGalley and the publishers. My review is completely based on my reading experience.
The kids who first started Blue Doors on a whim now have education under their belt and experience with other small companies (for a few of them) and learn about all the kinds of people that make up the real world around them. It is an interesting study of the times and how the trust between a group of people maintains balance in their lives. There is not even one iota of romance in the classic sense in these tales and I think it works well as something younger audience can read (despite the odd cigarette and pipe smoking situation).There are enough to-do steps here to deter children from jumping on to the bandwagon after reading the book if they are not completely committed. Some of them learn harder lessons than others but by the end they have a new goal and a plan in place.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who thinks the synopsis or my review is even the remotest bit interesting.
I received ARC of the reprints thanks to NetGalley and the publishers. My review is completely based on my reading experience.
February 4, 2021
Ah yes...the Enid Blyton aspect comes into its own at last when the kids get into their sleuthing gear and try to catch the baddie who causes the theatre to close down.
While the cause of the closure is extremely believable given the parameters of the series (theatre as business run by a bunch of high school kids with no experience), the chase of the baddy went on a bit too long for my taste. Also the rationale--"let's not bother the police, we can do better ourselves!" was rather too like the 1940s musicals where some girl jumped up and yelled, "I know! Let's get up a SHOW!" and said show solved all their problems, financial as well as personal. Because the extremely slow chase went on for so many pages, the ending is a bit rushed--no mention of how the baddy actually got turned over to the police or what the boys in blue thought about it; no, let's cut to the popular musical-movie scene of Our Heroes returning home on the train and the whole populace turning out to receive them.
At least the Hyacinth Bucket character got a minimum of page time in this installment.
While the cause of the closure is extremely believable given the parameters of the series (theatre as business run by a bunch of high school kids with no experience), the chase of the baddy went on a bit too long for my taste. Also the rationale--"let's not bother the police, we can do better ourselves!" was rather too like the 1940s musicals where some girl jumped up and yelled, "I know! Let's get up a SHOW!" and said show solved all their problems, financial as well as personal. Because the extremely slow chase went on for so many pages, the ending is a bit rushed--no mention of how the baddy actually got turned over to the police or what the boys in blue thought about it; no, let's cut to the popular musical-movie scene of Our Heroes returning home on the train and the whole populace turning out to receive them.
At least the Hyacinth Bucket character got a minimum of page time in this installment.
July 25, 2024
Quality Rating: Four Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars
My saga of finishing off childhood book series continues, this time with a classical and beloved one: the Blue Door Theatre books. These stories, like Ballet Shoes and Malory Towers, sustained me as a child on magical dreams of the theatre and performance. It was a joy to revisit the world - and poetically at a time when I had finally been able to fund a creative passion paroject with a team of wonderful people; arguably the thing these stories had persuaded me to do all those years ago.
I loved the road-trip mystery plotline, it felt fresh from what I remembered of the series. Touring around all these places in the UK, many of them now familiar to me, as the characters discovered them for the first time was a lot of fun - and of course incredibly wholesome. As with a lot of old-fashioned ensembles, the characters blur a bit and end up dividied into the boys and the girls. But Brown has such a respect for all kinds of hard work that the relationships and drive of the friends and siblings felt genuine and inclusive. For a book from the 40s, it holds up impressively well.
While it was a shorter story in the series, I massively enjoyed reading it. I can't believe there's only one left (she says after not reading this book for a decade) - and with Maddy, the only real protagonist, no less.
Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars
My saga of finishing off childhood book series continues, this time with a classical and beloved one: the Blue Door Theatre books. These stories, like Ballet Shoes and Malory Towers, sustained me as a child on magical dreams of the theatre and performance. It was a joy to revisit the world - and poetically at a time when I had finally been able to fund a creative passion paroject with a team of wonderful people; arguably the thing these stories had persuaded me to do all those years ago.
I loved the road-trip mystery plotline, it felt fresh from what I remembered of the series. Touring around all these places in the UK, many of them now familiar to me, as the characters discovered them for the first time was a lot of fun - and of course incredibly wholesome. As with a lot of old-fashioned ensembles, the characters blur a bit and end up dividied into the boys and the girls. But Brown has such a respect for all kinds of hard work that the relationships and drive of the friends and siblings felt genuine and inclusive. For a book from the 40s, it holds up impressively well.
While it was a shorter story in the series, I massively enjoyed reading it. I can't believe there's only one left (she says after not reading this book for a decade) - and with Maddy, the only real protagonist, no less.
January 5, 2023
This series is so good!!! The first book I think will always be my favourite of the series, but this fourth instalment was really lovely too, and went in a direction of plot that I was not expecting, so that was good too! I mean, any theatre book I love, so it already ticked that box, but this also had detection in it too. Overall, a fantastic read, and I would 100% recommend this series to anyone who loves theatre! I cannot WAIT now to read Maddy Again, but it is the last book, so that’s a shame! All opinions are my own so you are welcome to disagree! Thank You for reading this review!
May 12, 2025
These are intensely charming things and even when one is not quite sure who half the characters are (forgive me, I've only read the first in this series), there's something here that just works. It rolls on very merrily and the parents are deeply, enormously casual when things happen that they probably should not be particularly casual about. There's something delightful in a father that just goes "cool beans, thanks for getting in touch, I trust you, here's a blank cheque for a crisis" and people who go "now, look, this story that you're giving me is completely raving but I think you've got a nice face, here's a job to help you out in the meanwhile." The absolute casual joy of it!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews