Author Archives: garylongden

A Voyage for Madmen -Peter Nichols, book review

Posted on October 22, 2018 by garylongden

I was at junior school when this competition was raced, the name Robin Knox Johnson has endured ever since. At the time, it was marketed as one of the last tests of human endurance, a billing was heightened by the … Continue reading →

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Abigail’s Party – Derby Theatre

Posted on October 3, 2018 by garylongden

Abigail’s Party – Derby Theatre **** I saw “Abigail’s Party” when it appeared on television in 1977, the year it was written, some forty one years ago, watching as a teenager. It received generous reviews. I loved it. I also … Continue reading →

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Allan Jones – I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down. A book review.

Posted on October 1, 2018 by garylongden

As a fifteen year old I did not anticipate that I would be reviewing professionally forty five years later. Newspaper journalism was tedious and dry, with the exception of Clive James. Popular music was both incredibly popular, and largely uncovered … Continue reading →

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Jane McDonald – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on September 24, 2018 by garylongden

Jane McDonald has crept up on me. As for many, my first glimpse of her was on the original “Cruise” documentary. It was immediately apparent that she was a star turn, glamorous, saucy, with personality, and crucially a very good … Continue reading →

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All Shook Up – Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Posted on September 20, 2018 by garylongden

I was too young to appreciate Elvis in his pomp. Yet his music, and celebrity, is ubiquitous, and a little distance is no bad thing, providing context and time for balanced appreciation. When he burst onto the scene he was … Continue reading →

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Dick Whittington – Lichfield Garrick Theatre, preview.

Posted on September 11, 2018 by garylongden

Behind the Arras was honoured to attend a preview of this year’s pantomime, “Dick Whittington” at the Lichfield Garrick. Local actor Sam Rabone, who hails from Streetly, is now not only the Dame, but also this year, for the first … Continue reading →

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Jersey Boys – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on August 30, 2018 by garylongden

On one level this is a very slick jukebox musical, but music has the capacity to take us to another place, which is exactly what this show does. First performed on Broadway in 2005, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics … Continue reading →

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Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run The Autobiography

Posted on July 28, 2018 by garylongden

I first came across Springsteen when the music press adverts and billboards appeared proclaiming him : “The future of Rock n Roll”. It was a bold claim. It turned out to be justified. I tried to buy tickets for the … Continue reading →

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Limehouse Lizzy – Flowerpot, Derby

Posted on July 13, 2018 by garylongden

I first saw LL almost exactly five years ago at the Assembly Rooms in Tamworth. They have now been touring for twenty- five years. Thin Lizzy toured for seventeen years. As custodians of the music, Limehouse Lizzy can lay claim … Continue reading →

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Sutton Arts – 2018/19 Programme Previewed

Posted on June 18, 2018 by garylongden

I have a soft spot for Sutton Arts theatre. It is intimate at just over a hundred seats, well maintained, with a generous bar area, has good car parking nearby, but crucially offers a strong programme, with varied directors. A … Continue reading →

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