Author Archives: garylongden

Rita Sue & Bob Too – Derby Theatre Preview

Posted on November 14, 2017 by garylongden

This revival of a play which enjoyed considerable success as a film, comes to Derby Theatre on the 21st November. It is impossible to discuss the play without discussing the playwright, and rather than burden the review of the opening … Continue reading →

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Aladdin, Lichfield Garrick – A Preview

Posted on November 13, 2017 by garylongden

This Christmas the Lichfield Garrick Theatre has Aladdin as the pantomime show. A strong cast includes CBeebies’ Cat Sandion who will be playing the role of Jasmine . Cat, one of the leading presenters on the Bafta award winning channel, … Continue reading →

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Legally Blonde- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on November 9, 2017 by garylongden

  **** This story is now in its third incarnation. First came the book by Amanda Brown, daughter of a lawyer, and Stanford Law student herself. Brown drew upon her own experiences for inspiration. The 2001 film starring Reese Witherpsoon … Continue reading →

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Around the World in 80 Days- Derby Theatre

Posted on November 7, 2017 by garylongden

***** Jules Verne’s classic story has obvious cinematic possibilities, and equally obvious drawbacks as the basis for a stage adaptation. How do you portray a worldwide journey on a theatre stage? Yet that conundrum is also the basis for this … Continue reading →

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Bernard Davis – Midlands Poetry What’s On November

Posted on October 30, 2017 by garylongden

Garyswordz used to carry a midlands poetry what’s on. But Gary became lazy. Bernard is not, check his listings out: FESTIVALS AND MAJOR EVENT LGBT Arts and Culture 9th – 19th November LISTINGS Throughout November Black Country: The Pit to … Continue reading →

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“Our House”, Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre, Lichfield Garrick

Posted on October 18, 2017 by garylongden

I saw Madness play live twice. They were fabulous, raucous, and with a touch of Music Hall about them. I am also a veteran of the era when they formed. Their incubation was not seamless. They morphed from what might … Continue reading →

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Hairspray – Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on October 9, 2017 by garylongden

***** This show is beguilingly deceptive. Its title implies froth and artificial glamour, yet when heated, hairspray can be explosive. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s adaptation of John Waters’ 1988 film for stage was itself based on the book by … Continue reading →

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Tom Petty – an appreciation

Posted on October 8, 2017 by garylongden

    The phenomena of public grief for public figures whom were not known personally to the mourner is not new, but often ridiculed. Tom Petty was one of a handful who caused me to double take, and to feel, … Continue reading →

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Great Expectations – Derby Theatre

Posted on October 4, 2017 by garylongden

One of Dickens’ latter works, his thirteenth novel, “Great Expectations” lends itself to a dramatic stage presentation. An atmospheric opening triggers a chain of events that will bring a young man riches, break his troubled heart, and lead him deep … Continue reading →

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Table Tipping – Long Eaton, with Pietro Politano

Posted on October 1, 2017 by garylongden

  “It must be a trick – mustn’t it? A table moving of its own accord. It just is not possible.” Those were my thoughts prior to attending a table tipping evening. So, when an opportunity to experience it for … Continue reading →

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