Author Archives: garylongden

The Kinks, Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham, England Mar 24th 1994

Posted on March 7, 2023 by garylongden

There are good times to  catch bands, bad times, and times when you are just grateful to have seen them at all. This gig falls into that  latter category, thirty years after their inception, this was their last full tour, … Continue reading →

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A Virtual Future for David Bowie?

Posted on March 1, 2023 by garylongden

The Abba Voyage revenues are jaw dropping. Average £70 a ticket, 3000 capacity, seven shows a week two dark days, two with matinees equals £1.47m a week before merchandise/ refreshments. That is £76.44m per annum. Production costs, exclusive of live … Continue reading →

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Mother Goose – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on February 22, 2023 by garylongden

What’s this? Panto in Wolverhampton at  the end of February?  Oh yes it is. Having stormed the normal panto  season first in Brighton, then  the Duke of York’s Theatre in London, the audience response was too positive for  it to … Continue reading →

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Shinrin- yoku

Posted on February 12, 2023 by garylongden

From Japan comes the Shinrin-yoku: the “forest bath” . In the 6th century BCE, Cyrus the Great planted  gardens in the middle  of cities in the Persian Empire   to improve  human health. In the 16th century ,  the Swiss philosopher … Continue reading →

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Poems 2023

Posted on February 12, 2023 by garylongden

Going Equipped The officer stopped me, fairly, but firmly Could you open your bag please? What do we have here? Alliteration Assonance Onomatopoeia Metaphor Simile Personification Repetition Hyperbole Enjambment Anaphor Epistrophe Caesura Couplets Refrains Rhythms I Suspect  you of Going … Continue reading →

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Wodehouse in Wonderland – Derby Theatre , 13th-15th Feb 2023

Posted on February 11, 2023 by garylongden

**** Touring theatrical companies are having a tough time as costs escalate everywhere. This production by the Cahoots theatre Company, has the answer, reduce your company to one. – Robert Daws brings Wodehouse in Wonderland to  Derby  in a single-hander … Continue reading →

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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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