Author Archives: garylongden

Emma Clowsley – Midland Fringe Festival, Lych gate tavern, Wolverhampton, 26/7/26

Posted on July 27, 2026 by garylongden

Securing Emma was a coup for the Midlands Fringe, a stalwart of the Brighton and Ledbury festivals she had come to  promote her new show and book ,”Mid Life Lesbian” – Emma Clowsley  is a Queer, neurodivergent writer,  bringing rural … Continue reading →

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The Market Deeping Model Railway Club – Playhouse Nottingham 6/7/26

Posted on July 20, 2026 by garylongden

**** It is not often that I am able to see a World Premiere, but that is what happened this evening for the debut of William Ivory’s new play . Ivory’s previous popular offering was the screen play for “Made … Continue reading →

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The Bodyguard- Royal Concert Hall Nottingham

Posted on July 20, 2026 by garylongden

Rumour is that Nigel Farage sponsored the show for £5m *** This was my third visit to the show over the yeard, the two previously had featured Alexandra Burke in the starring role. The billed star attraction was Sidonie Smith, … Continue reading →

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Elvis Costello and the Imposters- Palace Theatre Manchester

Posted on July 19, 2026 by garylongden

This was my second gig of the tour. I approached it with trepidation. The first one at Birmingham Symphony Hall ten days previously was dreadful . The sound was awful, as was the mix. Charlie Sexton’s guitar was barely discernible … Continue reading →

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Bowie Experience- Lichfield Garrick

Posted on July 19, 2026 by garylongden

This was the third time I has seen Bowie Experience, this night also clashing with the England  V Norway World Cup quarter final clash precipitating a 10pm sharp finish. Confusingly the band’s name still intentionally clashes with that of The … Continue reading →

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Elvis Costello and the Imposters- Birmingham Symphony Hall

Posted on June 21, 2026 by garylongden

*** A full band concert  after several solo excursions with material drawn from the early years. Elvis pretty much defines the phrase “musically prolific” embracing different styles, formats and genres at a whim. I first saw him 49 years ago … Continue reading →

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Kraftwerk – Nottingham Royal Concert hall

Posted on June 8, 2026 by garylongden

On Monday evening, legendary electronic outfit Kraftwerk arrived in Nottingham as part of their first UK tour since 2017, their last gig being also at the same venue some nine years ago. Before that their only previous appearance in the … Continue reading →

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Fawlty Towers- Nottingham Royal Theatre

Posted on June 5, 2026 by garylongden

Fawlty Towers- Nottingham Royal Theatre Enjoying the soubriquet ‘Greatest British Sitcom of All Time’ (Radio Times), Fawlty Towers is back is back – this time on stage! 50 years since it first graced our TV screens, it morphs into a … Continue reading →

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Little Shop of Horrors- Derby Theatre

Posted on June 3, 2026 by garylongden

**** Any revival of this 1982  ( and 1960) cult classic has two alternatives, to reimagine and embrace  the absurdist original source material , or go 2026 digital. This production takes option one with an innovative exception- the use of … Continue reading →

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Dave Formula and Noko play Magazine- the Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

Posted on May 24, 2026 by garylongden

Dave Formula and Noko play Magazine- Rescue Rooms, Nottingham For the die hard fans of the era. The original line up of the Magnificent magazine is now represented by only Dave Formula on keyboards. Bassist  Barry Adamson is now a … Continue reading →

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