Author Archives: garylongden

Anita and Me – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

**** There were two home fixtures in Wolverhampton on Tuesday night. The first was at Molineux, where Wolverhampton Wanderers were at home. The second was at the Grand, where Meera Syal’s play was opening for the first night of its … Continue reading

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Monstersaurus – Derby Theatre

**** A stage adaptation of this hugely popular story , written by Claire Freedman, can only be judged by the reaction of the children in the audience. They loved it. Featuring Monty, his Mum, and invented monsters, the performance culminates … Continue reading

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What Do Serious Poets Do?

I am fortunate. I have been Staffordshire Poet Laureate, I curate the long running Poetry Alight in Lichfield and my poetry has taken me from  Malvern to Stornoway, from Shrewsbury to Leicester. Along the way I have met some fabulous … Continue reading

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The Problem With Poetry

I like poetry. I like it best read aloud, maybe in a pub or café. Sometimes I enjoy reading it when I am alone. Yet I hear, and read, much poetry that I do not care for much. I don’t … Continue reading

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“Invincible”, by Torben Betts, the Original Theatre Company, Derby Theatre

**** Derby Theatre is to be commended on bringing this relatively new play (2014) by the highly acclaimed playwright Torben Betts, produced by the Original Theatre Company, to the city. A strong first night house augurs well for the rest … Continue reading

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North Birmingham Amdram Preview – What’s Hot, and What’s Not! Spring 2017

Many theatregoers, and play Directors, have mentioned to me that although productions are well covered at the time of performance, previews are confined to often cursory summaries in brief advance publicity material. As a consequence, punters can find themselves making … Continue reading

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2016 A Year of Reviews in Review

The pace of reviewing is such that one year can blend into the next. But January provides the occasion to reflect back on the previous twelve months and reflect on a year of Midlands theatre. The Midlands continues to be … Continue reading

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The Vortex – Sutton Arts Theatre

  **** This rarely produced play was a shrewd, but challenging choice by Director Stuart Goodwin. Written by Noel Coward, and first staged in 1924, it titillated, outraged and divided opinion at the time, almost a century later I regard … Continue reading

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A Letter on America

  I have always felt a relationship with America. As a child I lived in the USA, as an adult I have holidayed there. As an Englishman living in the United Kingdom, the effect of America culturally and politically has … Continue reading

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Holmes for the Holidays – Grange Players, Grange Playhouse, Walsall

****  Holmes for the Holidays, aka The Games Afoot, is written by Ken Ludwig, an American anglophile whose education takes in both Harvard , and Trinity College Cambridge. Ludwig likes English literature. He has written  about Shakespeare,  Gilbert and Sullivan, … Continue reading

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