Author Archives: garylongden

Jekyll and Hyde- Derby Theatre

Posted on October 6, 2022 by garylongden

Jekyll and Hyde – Derby Theatre ***** This is not the first time that this story, originally a novella by  Robert Louis Stevenson,  first published in 1886 , has been presented as a play. It was  adapted for theatre in … Continue reading →

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Black Sabbath live – Hammersmith Odeon, London, 14th March, 1977.

Posted on September 27, 2022 by garylongden

Sabbath liked Marshall amps. The seventies was the apogee of Heavy Rock, the holy trinity were Deep Purple ( Smoke on the Water),Led Zeppelin ( Whole Lotta Love) and Black Sabbath ( Paranoid).  By the mid 70’s, Zep had become … Continue reading →

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The King of Reggae- The Man- the Music – Birmingham Rep

Posted on September 21, 2022 by garylongden

The King of Reggae- The man- The music- Birmingham Rep ***** ‘The King of Reggae- the man- the music”  Is a  production by the Rush Theatre Company celebrating the life and music of Bob Marley. It features  live onstage musicians … Continue reading →

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It Runs in the Family – Highbury Theatre

Posted on September 15, 2022 by garylongden

It Runs in the Family – Highbury Theatre “It Runs in the Family” is a classic  British farce written by Ray Cooney in 1987 in the mid Elizabethen era. Highbury Theatre  itself is well appointed and intimate making it an … Continue reading →

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Blood brothers- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on September 14, 2022 by garylongden

Blood brothers- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre **** Somehow, over a period of time, a musical seeps into the national consciousness. It cannot happen overnight. A combination of word of mouth, and return visits create a critical mass, and for some very … Continue reading →

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The Shawshank Redemption- Derby theatre

Posted on September 13, 2022 by garylongden

The Shawshank Redemption at Derby theatre **** For most of us this story will be remembered as a 1990’s film, which, after a slow box office start, was reappraised, enjoying considerable belated success on video rental re-establishing it as one … Continue reading →

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Home Girl- Derby Theatre

Posted on July 8, 2022 by garylongden

n 2015  Derby theatre  staged “ Solace of the Road” the world premiere of Siobhan Dowd’s novel of loss and homecoming. “Home Girl” reprises an exploration of the Care system in visceral, essential style. It is a new stage adaptation … Continue reading →

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It’s Hard to be a Saint in the City- song Springsteen / Bowie

Posted on June 4, 2022 by garylongden

“It’s hard to be a saint in the City”, is one of Springsteen’s finest compositions, a narrative and vocal tour de force. Live in Bruce’s hands  it was irresistible with Bittan central to the performance, but the album recording , … Continue reading →

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The occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Posted on June 2, 2022 by garylongden

I have been asked to write and perform at two events celebrating this occasion. It is, and was, very easy to be ultra cynical, particularly from a child of the Silver Jubilee, the Sex Pistols and the “stuff the Jubilee” … Continue reading →

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David Bowie

Posted on May 30, 2022 by garylongden

What is the Ziggy Story? Artwork Brian ward There has been an interesting debate recently about “The Rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust” album. Is there a story? If there is what is it? Could it provide the basis for … Continue reading →

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