Author Archives: garylongden

Conclave – film review

Posted on December 15, 2024 by garylongden

**** A film for grown us. There will be no video game spin offs for this one. Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, Conclave takes the viewers inside the Vatican during the College of Cardinals’ process of selecting the new … Continue reading →

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Chicago- Regent theatre Stoke

Posted on November 29, 2024 by garylongden

Starring Faye Brookes, Sinitta Malone and Kevin Clifton in this new production of the sexy sizzler that is Chicago some fifty years after the show debuted on Broadway in 1975. Please note that as the tour progresses nationwide, the lead … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Carol – Derby Theatre

Posted on November 28, 2024 by garylongden

 A Christmas Carol- Derby Theatre **** An all new production written  and adapted from the Dickens original by Mike Kenny and directed by Tom Bellerby. A clever set  (  by Jess Curtis who also designed the costumes) features the separate … Continue reading →

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Mazz Murray sings Dusty Springfield , “I only want to be with you”- Birmingham Symphony Hall

Posted on November 22, 2024 by garylongden

The first in a duo of gigs , her second coming at the Adelphi Theatre in London, in which Musical theatre star  Mazz  sings from the Dusty songbook. An impossibly young looking fifty year old she has a formidable stage … Continue reading →

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Doing the 92

Posted on November 14, 2024 by garylongden

Doing the 92 It started in 1968, Belle Vue Stadium, Doncaster Rovers v Barnsley, an evening game in front of a crowd of 18,000, I was aged 10, totally unaware that it was a local Derby, but enthralled by the … Continue reading →

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Transformer – Lou Reed ( a retrospective)

Posted on November 8, 2024 by garylongden

It is a great album, and an astonishing document for its time. David had a long time love for the Velvet underground, and  their songs  “Waiting for the Man” and  “White Light White Heat” were live staples for long periods … Continue reading →

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10cc Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Posted on October 19, 2024 by garylongden

My younger brother liked 10cc as we grew up in the 1970’s. I was not so sure. Their music was unquestionably exquisitely crafted, their lyrics ranged from the sometimes banal to the often sublime. They were the British Steely Dan,  … Continue reading →

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Life on Tour with Bowie: A Genius Remembered – Sean Mayes. Book review

Posted on October 7, 2024 by garylongden

I am a very hard to please Bowie, and music, fan. The vast majority of music biographies and auto biographies are poorly written and lack insight. Biographies all too often are written merely to piggyback on the success of the … Continue reading →

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Ben Elton, “Authentic Stupidity” tour – Wolverhampton Grand theatre

Posted on October 3, 2024 by garylongden

**** After spending time living and working in Australia, Ben is back. Back in England and back performing stand up comedy on the “Authentic Stupidity” tour, a vehicle for him to rail against the madness of contemporary life. Such is … Continue reading →

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An Officer and a Gentleman – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on September 24, 2024 by garylongden

** A musical , prodigy  of  the success of the eponymous 1982  film, dominated by the image of Richard Gere in a  white naval officer’s uniform. Pre -show, some Reagan soundbites are broadcast to transport us into 1980’s mode. He … Continue reading →

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