Author Archives: garylongden

Oliver Twist- Derby Theatre

Posted on December 5, 2025 by garylongden

**** Christmas?  Bah humbug!  This is not the musical, instead an adaptation by Deborah McAndrew, directed by Sarah Brigham, of Dickens’ classic tale incorporating traditional tunes and original songs, played   and performed onstage by the cast, Eliza Waters realises it … Continue reading →

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Gary Numan- Telekon 45th Anniversary Tour, Rock City Nottingham 25/11/25

Posted on November 29, 2025 by garylongden

Gary Numan- rock city, Nottingham 25/10/25 – This was a double first for me. My first visit to Rock city , and  my first Gary Numan gig. – Bowie’s contemporaneous put down – Same old thing in brand-new drag comes … Continue reading →

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Nuremberg – Film review

Posted on November 27, 2025 by garylongden

*****  Essentially a big budget double hander between Russel Crowe as Goering and  the psychiatrist detailed to profile him. Crowe is magnificent as Goering and physically  almost unrecognisable. – The  film which is visually Hollywood glossy at times, interspersed with … Continue reading →

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D.A.M tribute Tour – Sheffield Octagon Centre

Posted on November 26, 2025 by garylongden

My start point is that I bought The Ziggy album on release, subsequently bought every one of Bowie’s records on release, saw him several times live, and have seen several tribute acts all of whom I have enjoyed, but  to … Continue reading →

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The Choral- Film review ( 2025)

Posted on November 24, 2025 by garylongden

A fey Alan Bennett penned homage to being British in a very British Film: Amusing, touching and well-crafted. I left feeling sad, elated, enriched and uplifted.  Some reviews have been lukewarm- ignore them. This is superb , poignant ,  a … Continue reading →

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Henry Normal/ Jan Brierton- Buxton Pavilion Arts centre, 20/11/25

Posted on November 21, 2025 by garylongden

– Buxton is colloquially described as a place where winter arrives early and summer arrives late. On a freezing November Thursday evening an audience arriving in coats and scarves were testimony to the fact that winter had arrived. However it … Continue reading →

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Curved Air – Robin, Bilston, Wolverhampton 16/11/25

Posted on November 21, 2025 by garylongden

Curved Air- Robin Bilston, Wolverhampton – This was a legacy show for me. As the classic rock and pop era draws to a close so I pick off the odd group I missed first time around. – I was never … Continue reading →

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Moulin Rouge – Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on November 15, 2025 by garylongden

***** Wow. The most spectacular stage musical I have ever seen. The most expensive theatre ticket I have ever bought- for the most lavish production that I have ever seen. there is probably an equivalence there. Could the zany opulence … Continue reading →

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The sensational 60’s Experience – Buxton Opera House

Posted on November 14, 2025 by garylongden

  A variety show  splitting the Fortunes and Vanity Fare in the first half and the Trems and Beaky Mick and Tich in the second. The first half was boosted with ensemble versions of “Spirit in the Sky” and “You … Continue reading →

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La Palma- Netflix mini series

Posted on November 11, 2025 by garylongden

**** An oddity , a big budget Norwegian disaster movie which isn’t a Noire. Four episodes, and under four hours it is tightly scripted, pacy and with enough twists and turns to overcome the fact that we all know that … Continue reading →

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