Author Archives: garylongden

Boys From the Blackstuff – Derby Theatre

Posted on April 11, 2025 by garylongden

***** This drama as a television series made an enormous impact upon me as a young man in my early 20’s. In my memory it stands out as one of the finest social dramas I have ever seen. Originally written … Continue reading →

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Spitfire Girls- Derby Theatre

Posted on April 10, 2025 by garylongden

***** This is a story with which I was already familiar. I always thought it would make a good drama and  Tilted Wig and MAST productions  have done it proud It features two female lead roles, itself a rarity, two … Continue reading →

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Poems 2025

Posted on April 9, 2025 by garylongden

Vindicated Quite quite still, not a sound No bother, no trouble Laying cold on the ground The body angular, inert unfound Soft wind blows  slowly past the rubble Quite quite still, not a sound A transgression taxed pound  for pound … Continue reading →

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Do I Love You?- Derby Theatre

Posted on March 26, 2025 by garylongden

Do I Love You? Derby theatre **** Northern Soul  was a regionalised phenomena. Although a huge music fan myself , it barely touched the South where I lived as a teenager. In the Midlands and North it was massive. The … Continue reading →

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Aladdin Sane Tribute band – Yarmageddon 6/3/25

Posted on March 17, 2025 by garylongden

Aladdin Sane In the absence of the great man himself we are left with a burgeoning and constantly growing roster of tribute acts. I make appoint of trying to see them all on the basis that at least I know … Continue reading →

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Bridget Jones- Mad about the boy

Posted on March 16, 2025 by garylongden

* Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Schmaltzy, sentimental lightweight reheating of the original  idea , fourth instalment in the series totalling over eight hours, including the 125 minute running time for this. They have run out of things to … Continue reading →

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Bat out of Hell Musical – Alexandra theatre, Birmingham, 10/2/25

Posted on February 11, 2025 by garylongden

Bat out of hell- Alexandra Theatre *** This is music, an album, an era, which oozes nostalgia for me. I bought the album on release and saw ,Meat loaf perform the album live on the “bat”  tour Raven Will do … Continue reading →

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A Complete Unknown

Posted on January 31, 2025 by garylongden

I approached this film with considerable trepidation. Most Rock bio pics are rubbish and shameless exercises in cashing in on the artist’s fame. But while most rock and pop stars forge a living out of image and artifice, Dylan has … Continue reading →

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The Bowie Show-Royal Opera House, Buxton 28/1/25

Posted on January 29, 2025 by garylongden

This review should be read as a companion piece to yesterday’s Nottingham review. And so for the 46 mile yet meandering rural 90 min drive through the beautiful Peak District. A treat in itself.  “Sometimes I get the urge to … Continue reading →

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The Bowie Show- Nottingham Royal Court & Concert hall 27/1/25

Posted on January 28, 2025 by garylongden

The Bowie Show- Nottingham Royal Court and Concert hall, anonymous dancers! Created and directed by Simon Gwilliam. Produced by John Dalston and Simon Gwilliam This was the second date on the show’s nine date  soft opening provincial tour prior to … Continue reading →

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