Author Archives: garylongden

Lindisfarne – leeds university refectory, Dec 8th 1979

Posted on February 10, 2023 by garylongden

Lindisfarne were not my usual musical milieu . Yet their folk rock credentials were indisputable, as was the strength of their hit singles which, combined with a strong travelling contingent from Tyneside, filled the hall to capacity for the reformed … Continue reading →

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Home, I’m Darling – Derby theatre, 8/2/23

Posted on February 8, 2023 by garylongden

***** Derby Theatre and Artistic Director Sarah Brigham have done it again. A superb award winning   new play which won plaudits and awards in London  has arrived in town! – This production has  very strong credentials. Having played, pre Covid … Continue reading →

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Voice of the Heart – Carpenters Tribute, featuring Carole Gordon and the Forever in Blue Jeans company – Lichfield Garrick Theatre , Staffordshire , Friday 3rd Feb 2023

Posted on February 3, 2023 by garylongden

As  a teenager the silky sound of the  Carpenters was just a little too smooth for me even though their songs were ubiquitous. As the years have unfolded, so has my appreciation of Karen and Richard.  Their ethereal vocals and … Continue reading →

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Back into hell – Meat Loaf tribute  Lichfield Garrick, 19/1/23

Posted on January 20, 2023 by garylongden

Michael  Aday, aka Meat Loaf, died exactly a year ago, but his legacy as one of the defining acts of the rock era is assured, specifically because of one album, Bat out of Hell which has sold over 43 million … Continue reading →

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The History of football Chants

Posted on January 9, 2023 by garylongden

Chanting does go back to the late 19th century with its origins in Scotland and folk songs popularised by  Ceilidhs. The Old Firm popularised insulting and confrontational chants in the 1920’s – But it became popular and more widespread  in … Continue reading →

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2022 Theatre reviews review

Posted on December 12, 2022 by garylongden

After the purgatory of lockdown it was a joy to rediscover live theatre again.  The start of the year was still hamstrung by postponements and cancellations as Covid disrupted performances, three attempts to see “looking good Dead” starring Eastenders’ Adam … Continue reading →

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Fatal Attraction – The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Posted on December 11, 2022 by garylongden

April 2022 **** Like most, my introduction to this story was the eponymous 1980’s film blockbuster. It was not an obvious contender for a stage adaptation. However the original screenplay writer, James Dearden, revisits the original script to remould it … Continue reading →

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Sutton Arts Winter and Spring season 22/23, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham

Posted on December 11, 2022 by garylongden

A typically challenging and interesting programme from Sutton Arts, taking in their annual Christmas panto, and their now traditional late spring musical, but with some surprises in between including  an  off the beaten track play, an uproarious   modern farces, and … Continue reading →

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Jack and the Beanstalk- The Door, Birmingham Rep

Posted on December 11, 2022 by garylongden

Jack and the  Beanstalk – The Door, Birmingham Rep theatre ***** The Rep has not let us down this year with its Christmas offerings. The main house is presenting “Nativity the Musical” but in the smaller studio style theatre The … Continue reading →

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The Strange Case of  Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde,  Highbury theatre, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on December 9, 2022 by garylongden

***** Quite simply this is the best theatrical  production of Jekyll and Hyde that I have ever seen. This is not the first time that this story, originally a novella by  Robert Louis Stevenson,  first published in 1886 , has … Continue reading →

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