Author Archives: garylongden

A Kick in the Baubles – Sutton Arts

Posted on February 1, 2026 by garylongden

A kIck in the Baubles Sutton Arts have rekindled a little known gem with this production. – It is a family, domestic, one set,  melodrama which borrows from Alan Aykbourn’s  “seasons’ greetings” and Mike Leigh’s “ Abigail’s Party”. – Written … Continue reading →

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Forever Clapton – Nottingham Royal Theatre

Posted on January 20, 2026 by garylongden

As the tribute genre matures so some acts are emerging into pre eminence. The likes of the Australian Pink Floyd now  fill large venues in their own right. One glance at the tour schedule for Forever Clapton shows an act … Continue reading →

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Song Sung Blue – Film review

Posted on January 14, 2026 by garylongden

Song Sung Blue I am not the target market for this film. I hate the song “Sweet Caroline” ( which is reprised half a dozen times) , am not a fan of Hugh Jackman, and do not own a single … Continue reading →

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The Housemaid- film review

Posted on January 9, 2026 by garylongden

A pulp fiction blockbuster powerhouse as a novel by   Freida McFadden  having sold six million copies. It would be an impossibility to convert that into a two hour film, so I approached it as  a stand alone entity – It … Continue reading →

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David Bowie – the final Act -film review

Posted on January 4, 2026 by garylongden

I approached this with some trepiastion. What was “the Final Act”? – Was it Blackstar? an album much lauded in my view simply because of the extraordinary circumstances in which it was made by an extraordinary musical artist. Beyond the … Continue reading →

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Ice Road – film review 2021

Posted on December 18, 2025 by garylongden

Enjoyable Hokum starring Liam Neeson set in Manitoba Canada There are plenty of ice road jeopardy moments- will they go through the ice or won’t they? Of course there are truck and snow mobile chases. This is ice road truckers … Continue reading →

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Downton Abbey- the Grand Finale, Film review

Posted on December 18, 2025 by garylongden

The final instalment of the film trilogy. Languid, and with a fin de siècle air. Writer Julian Fellowes is now almost 76 years old himself. There is an inescapable sense that he is writing not simply about Downton Abbey but … 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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Cinderella- Lichfield Garrick

Posted on December 13, 2025 by garylongden

Cinderella The safe option. A traditional panto, at a traditional panto theatre, performed by an experienced traditional theatre company albeit with untraditionally climbing ticket prices. – Firstly, a disclaimer, I have known the star, Dame Sam Rabone for fifteen years … Continue reading →

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Gary’s Oscars- my theatrical Midlands best of 2025

Posted on December 12, 2025 by garylongden

We are so fortunate in the Midlands to have such a diverse range of theatres. I have been equally fortunate to see so many good productions over the year As is traditional ,as the year draws to a close, I … Continue reading →

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