Author Archives: garylongden

The Sun is a Heart Far off- Rosemary Drescher

Posted on February 14, 2026 by garylongden

There is a lazy belief abroad that there is no good modern poetry. This collection, published by Big White Shed, written by Rosemary Drescher, confounds that. – Her start point is that the sun predates mankind and our planet and … Continue reading →

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H is for Hawk – film Review

Posted on February 6, 2026 by garylongden

A slow paced lachrymose, laconic melodrama   based upon a true story about a grief consumed young woman, played by Claire Foy whose father, played by Brendan gleeson has died and a Goshawk ( in reality two!) . A tale of … Continue reading →

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A Kick in the Baubles – Sutton Arts

Posted on February 1, 2026 by garylongden

A kIck in the Baubles Sutton Arts have rekindled a little known gem with this production. – It is a family, domestic, one set,  melodrama which borrows from Alan Aykbourn’s  “seasons’ greetings” and Mike Leigh’s “ Abigail’s Party”. – Written … Continue reading →

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Forever Clapton – Nottingham Royal Theatre

Posted on January 20, 2026 by garylongden

As the tribute genre matures so some acts are emerging into pre eminence. The likes of the Australian Pink Floyd now  fill large venues in their own right. One glance at the tour schedule for Forever Clapton shows an act … Continue reading →

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Song Sung Blue – Film review

Posted on January 14, 2026 by garylongden

Song Sung Blue I am not the target market for this film. I hate the song “Sweet Caroline” ( which is reprised half a dozen times) , am not a fan of Hugh Jackman, and do not own a single … Continue reading →

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The Housemaid- film review

Posted on January 9, 2026 by garylongden

A pulp fiction blockbuster powerhouse as a novel by   Freida McFadden  having sold six million copies. It would be an impossibility to convert that into a two hour film, so I approached it as  a stand alone entity – It … Continue reading →

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David Bowie – the final Act -film review

Posted on January 4, 2026 by garylongden

I approached this with some trepidation. What was “the Final Act”? – Was it Blackstar? an album much lauded in my view simply because of the extraordinary circumstances in which it was made by an extraordinary musical artist. Beyond the … Continue reading →

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Ice Road – film review 2021

Posted on December 18, 2025 by garylongden

Enjoyable Hokum starring Liam Neeson set in Manitoba Canada There are plenty of ice road jeopardy moments- will they go through the ice or won’t they? Of course there are truck and snow mobile chases. This is ice road truckers … Continue reading →

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Downton Abbey- the Grand Finale, Film review

Posted on December 18, 2025 by garylongden

The final instalment of the film trilogy. Languid, and with a fin de siècle air. Writer Julian Fellowes is now almost 76 years old himself. There is an inescapable sense that he is writing not simply about Downton Abbey but … Continue reading →

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Aladdin- Sutton Arts theatre

Posted on December 13, 2025 by garylongden

Panto returns to Sutton Arts after a three year break with  a record breaking sold out run. Harriet Gordon stars as Aladdin giving the role, style, pizzazz , and a fine singing voice. – This is on of my favourite … Continue reading →

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