Author Archives: garylongden

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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The Age Of Bowie – Paul Morley

Posted on June 18, 2018 by garylongden

Time dulls the memory, sometimes for the best. Bad meals, bad holidays, lost love, time has a way of neutralising those memories. Sadly, it also dulls the memory of bad rock critics. I had forgotten what a pompous, self-important, narcissist … Continue reading →

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Elements of Freestyle – Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on June 15, 2018 by garylongden

This evening’s show was part of the Birmingham International Dance Festival 2018 and is the brain child of Artistic Director Marco Gerris who is gaining an enviable reputation as a stuntman and stunt co-ordinator for the film industry, leading his … Continue reading →

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Spiritual Sat Nav – Noel Hogan

Posted on June 13, 2018 by garylongden

  I first met Noel as a visitor at a Lizian events show. He had the enthusiasm of a puppy, and the freneticism of an amphetamines drenched Ramones gig. We spoke about his forthcoming book, and I was delighted to … Continue reading →

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Birdsong- Derby Theatre

Posted on June 12, 2018 by garylongden

The centenary of the ending of the Great War has prompted many tributes, some more meritorious than others. The eponymous novel, by Sebastian Faulks, first published in 1993, has established itself as a modern classic, a love story set against … Continue reading →

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The Bowie Experience – Wolverhampton Grand

Posted on June 11, 2018 by garylongden

I went to the show as a Bowie devotee. I have seen Bowie live several times, three times in the seventies, I own all of his recorded material, and have been a fan since 1973. When I first heard Mick … Continue reading →

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