Author Archives: garylongden

Jerusalem – Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on March 24, 2019 by garylongden

**** “Fuck me, the committee have only gone and approved it!” “They didn’t mind that boring cunts would walk out?” “Nah, they can have a wank in the bogs for all I care” The above is an imagined exchange from … Continue reading →

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Derby Theatre – Avenue Q

Posted on March 19, 2019 by garylongden

  Avenue Q – Derby Theatre **** Avenue Q was premiered in 2003. Sixteen years on, this Tony Award Best Musical award- winning show has lost none of its freshness, or mischief. Its writing credentials are formidable. The music and … Continue reading →

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Derby Theatre – Avenue Q, A Preview

Posted on March 13, 2019 by garylongden

  It is cold, windy and still a bit dark in the evenings. Winter has not quite left us yet. Derby County’s promotion challenge is failing as Frank Lampard discovers that the team is not quite as good as Chelsea’s … Continue reading →

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Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy, 1945-1975 by Max Hastings – book review

Posted on March 12, 2019 by garylongden

  I was a young child living in America from 1965- 68. Although too young to make an informed judgement myself, nonetheless, the Vietnam War created an indelible impression on me. Every television and radio bulletin carried a butcher’s bill … Continue reading →

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The Band – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on February 27, 2019 by garylongden

***** Although not a fan club member,I have been always aware that Take That were “there”, and can recognise most of their songs. That is a good start point for a Juke Box Musical. The music needs to transcend the … Continue reading →

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Poems 2019

Posted on February 14, 2019 by garylongden

“And Its No Nay Never” An elegy upon the expiry of Opportunity , the veteran Mars explorer, 2003 – 2019 It is lonely One hundred and fifty three Million miles away Your friends at Toyota and Amazon But memories Yet … Continue reading →

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Caroline’s Kitchen – Derby Theatre

Posted on January 24, 2019 by garylongden

***** Following the highly successful run of “Invincible” at Derby last year, this year, playwright Torben Betts, and the Original Theatre Company, present a new, recently commissioned work, “Caroline’s Kitchen”. Tonight’s opening night at Derby was the first night for … Continue reading →

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Behind the Arras Theatre Review of the Year 2018 by Gary Longden

Posted on December 28, 2018 by garylongden

Theatre continues to be very strong locally, both professionally, and amateur. I count myself fortunate to be able to see so much of it. I write almost all of my reviews immediately after I have returned home from a production, … Continue reading →

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Beauty and the Beast – Sutton Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on December 24, 2018 by garylongden

***** The Beauty and the Beast story has been popularised in modern times by Disney. However, the original folk story, was written in 1740 and set in France, by Gabrielle- Suzanne de Villeneuve. Popularised in this version for pantomime by … Continue reading →

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Preview of Caroline’s Kitchen, by Torben Betts, Derby Theatre, 24th- 26th Jan 2019

Posted on December 15, 2018 by garylongden

  Strong modern comedy in theatre is at a premium. Ayckbourn and Benfield penned productions still endure, albeit to an ageing audience , drawn on themes which are forty to fifty years old, and feel it. Even the odd Brian … Continue reading →

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