Author Archives: garylongden

All Star Stand Up Tour 2017 Derby Theatre

Posted on May 15, 2017 by garylongden

  ****   The All-Star Stand-Up Tour returned  after a memorable 2016 show with a fresh bill apart from Kiwi  Javed Christmas, who was  moving from doing  a headline slot last year  to the more flexible  role of presenter and … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

Dinosaur World at Derby Theatre

Posted on May 15, 2017 by garylongden

**** A children’s show, primarily aimed at the under 7’s which capitalises on the enduring love affair children, and their parents, have with dinosaurs. The dinosaurs themselves are cleverly manipulated as puppets by puppeteers coming in an impressive array of … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

Evita – Wolverhampton Grand

Posted on May 11, 2017 by garylongden

**** Almost four years ago, Bill Kenwright’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Evita” played at Wolverhampton. It was one of the best productions of the show I had ever seen, so I approached this new production, with a fresh cast, … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fun with Fours

Posted on May 2, 2017 by garylongden

    Fun with Fours: Four names I go by 1. Gary 2. Dad 3. Grandad Gary 4. Gazza Four places I’ve lived: (really exciting 1. Sutton Coldfield 2. Cambridge 3. Alexandria, Virginia, USA 4. Leeds Four things I love … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Pure and Good and Right

Posted on May 1, 2017 by garylongden

I haven’t been to this event for a few years, but this headliner looks interesting: PUREandGOODandRIGHT  Open Mic Poetry Event  This month taking place at THE TREE HOUSE BOOKSHOP 4 The Square, KENILWORTH, CV8 1EB Thursday, 11 May 7.30 p.m st.art … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Northanger Abbey – Derby Theatre

Posted on April 11, 2017 by garylongden

  Annabelle Terry as Isabella and Eva Feiller as Catherine Morland     Two hundred years after its first publication, Jane Austen’s Gothic homage is given a reboot by the Bury St Edmunds Theatre Company under the direction of Karen … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Highbury Theatre , Sutton Coldfield Programme 2017/18

Posted on April 2, 2017 by garylongden

I was pleased to see the above programme, with dates yet to be set. It is a good combination of some tried and trusted favourites, the offbeat, and obscure, here is a preview: Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged | 1 Comment

NaPoWriMo April 2017

Posted on April 1, 2017 by garylongden

I shall try hard to write a poem a day, this list of prompts from Jo Bell will surely help: Day 1   Write to yourself as a sixteen year old. What warnings, what advice would you give? If you have … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Ladies in Lavender – Grange Players, Walsall

Posted on March 21, 2017 by garylongden

*****   Although a successful film release at the cinema in 2004, the stage adaptation is recent (2012) . This has the disadvantage that it is unfamiliar, but  the advantage that it provides a pretty blank canvas for a Director. … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Streetcar Named Desire – Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on March 15, 2017 by garylongden

****   This multiple prize winning drama from Tennessee Williams rightly remains a favourite with audiences and theatrical companies alike. It is also hugely challenging. Its reputation guarantees a good house, but the roster of actors who have taken parts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment