Author Archives: garylongden

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 →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Poems | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

We Will Rock You- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on May 24, 2022 by garylongden

***** A jukebox musical of Queen hits with a libretto written by comedian Ben Elton. Since it opened at the Dominion theatre in London in 2002 it  has played to over 600,000 people there alone,  and over fifteen million worldwide. … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

The Guitarists of David Bowie

Posted on May 17, 2022 by garylongden

The Guitarists of David Bowie- from Space Oddity to Diamond Dogs Space Oddity, normally regarded as David’s first proper album post Deram featured two guitarists over and beyond David’s contribution. Keith Christmas In 1969 Keith Christmas had recorded his first … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

Posted on May 3, 2022 by garylongden

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Derby theatre Playwright Jim Cartwright is one of our most important contemporary English  dramatists. “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”  is one of his finest achievements. First performed in 1992 on … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

Stafford Litfest Poetry Competition 2022- behind the scenes of the judging process

Posted on April 27, 2022 by garylongden

On 22nd May the results of the Stafford Litfest poetry competition will be announced. I was honoured to be given the opportunity to judge the entries. Many people have approached me asking what  the process was? I have entered numerous … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | 2 Comments