Author Archives: garylongden

U2/ the Thompson Twins/ Delta 5/ Red Beat- London Lyceum 1/2/81

Posted on September 30, 2026 by garylongden

U2/ Thompson Twins/ red Beat/ Delta 5 – Lyceum ballroom, London 1/2/81 I had come to see U2, but it was the Thompson Twins with Perfect game and Politics who stole the show. Red Beat and delta 5 were instantly … Continue reading →

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Morecambe Poetry Festival 2026

Posted on September 28, 2026 by garylongden

Dear Mr Panesh I would like to complain about your poetry festival It is billed as a three day festival, yet it started on Thursday night and finished in the early hours of Monday morning, that is five days. Can … Continue reading →

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A Passionate Woman – Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield, by Kay Mellor

Posted on September 16, 2026 by garylongden

***** This 1993 play  is characterised  by dry northern wit, knowing ridiculousness and profound  sadness. A story of love, loss and relationships. It helps to know a little about Kay Mellor, the playwright’s background. Mellor was born in Leeds on … Continue reading →

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Holy, Holy- o2 Ritz, Manchester

Posted on September 14, 2026 by garylongden

This is the fourth time I had seen them on tour,  billed as the Final Tour.  I had mixed emotions, delight at hearing  Bowie songs played live, sadness that this is to be the last time, and a fin de … Continue reading →

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The Full Monty- Sutton Arts, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on September 12, 2026 by garylongden

The Full Monty- Sutton Arts ***** This is the stage play, not the musical. Although the musical has become contemporaneously  synonymous with  a hen night/ girl’s night out, its origins are darker,  more serious and profound. Sutton Arts, with Emily … Continue reading →

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Till the Stars Come Down – Nottingham Playhouse

Posted on September 7, 2026 by garylongden

***** A wonderful Abigail’s party style dive into the lives of ordinary people- this time at a Mansfield wedding. Caroline Steinbeis directs with style, verve and pace. The ceremony plays out in real time at Beth Steel’s Till The Stars Come Down, … Continue reading →

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De Gaulle – Resistance Film review

Posted on August 28, 2026 by garylongden

Terrific non Hollywood biopic, compelling, humorous and informative. there are some artistic inaccuracies ( Admiral Darlan’s assassination) but they are more than compensated for by the overall narrative arc, part one of a two part epic. Part one covers  the … Continue reading →

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Dave Formula/ Noko play Magazine- Hairy Dog Derby, 7/8/26

Posted on August 14, 2026 by garylongden

This was a warm up gig for the band’s appearance at the Rebellion festival in Blackpool the following day. This was my second gig of the mini tour, the fifth overall. They have a core of gems which carry the … Continue reading →

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Highbury Theatre, Boldmere, Sutton Colfield 2026/27 programe preview

Posted on August 12, 2026 by garylongden

A Passionate Woman,by Kay Mellor15th– 26th Sept 2026 Summary: a period  kitchen sink drama. Bogged down by a 30-year listless marriage, on the morning of her son’s wedding she takes refuge in the attic of her home where she relives … Continue reading →

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The Odyssey – film Review

Posted on July 27, 2026 by garylongden

Yes it is long, very long. But it is an epic so what do you expect? Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon and Tom Holland star in Christopher Nolan’s Homeric adaptation . / At a time when cinema has apeared artificial and … Continue reading →

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