Author Archives: garylongden

Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure- New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Posted on November 8, 2014 by garylongden

**** ‘This is a brand new children’s stage show from the producers of Peppa Pig Live, Fiery Light! In Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure the entire crew of the Octonauts, led by intrepid explorer Captain Barnacles ( “aye,aye … Continue reading →

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Derby Demo 5 Rocks The Dog for Christmas Dec 5th & 6th

Posted on November 5, 2014 by garylongden

Derby Demo returns for its fifth consecutive year, and its third consecutive year at The Hairy Dog PH in Derby, moving to new, larger space at the venue playing on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th December 2014 with different bills … Continue reading →

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“Thought Apples” Lichfield Launch

Posted on October 30, 2014 by garylongden

Lichfield Library had to add more chairs as Alrewas poet Bert Flitcroft packed out the venue for the launch of his second collection, Thought Apples. Offa’s Press, the publisher, will have been heartened by the response as they take their … Continue reading →

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Book Reviews

Posted on October 30, 2014 by garylongden

Cedar Across the World – Barbara Bridgford Spiritualism and Mediumship tends to polarise opinion. Some dismiss it as invention, yet the numbers who attend Spiritualist Churches, and Psychic events are such that those in support have significant numbers too. Many … Continue reading →

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Relatively Speaking, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on October 23, 2014 by garylongden

This is where it all started for Sir Alan Ayckbourn, his first hit play. Originally entitled “Meet Your Father” it premiered in Scarborough in 1965, as was to become Ayckbourn’s custom, before becoming a hit in London’s West End in … Continue reading →

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Dreamboats and Miniskirts, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Posted on October 13, 2014 by garylongden

This jukebox musical is a sequel to “Dreamboats and Petticoats”, shifting the musical spotlight from fifties rock and roll to sixties pop, but retaining the same winning formula. Once again, the formidable Bill Kenwright production machine is behind the show, … Continue reading →

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Midlands Poetry What’s On October 2014

Posted on September 27, 2014 by garylongden

Fri 2nd- 5th Oct Swindon Festival of Poetry http://swindonfestivalofpoetry.co.uk/ Fri 2nd- 5th Oct Warwick Words http://www.warwickwords.co.uk/ Swindon Festival of Poetry | October swindonfestivalofpoetry.co.uk Oct Birmingham Book Festival http://www.birminghambookfestival.org/ ———————————————————————————— Tues 30th Sept Word Wizards Poetry – On the final day … Continue reading →

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First Poem as Staffordshire Poet Laureate Designate 2014/15

Posted on September 25, 2014 by garylongden

Princes Park, Burntwood Not quite a forest, with only three trees, They even have names, faith, hope and charity. Yet on the United Kingdom it has made its mark As the country’s smallest park. For the marriage of Prince Albert, … Continue reading →

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Blockbuster, the Musical- New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Posted on September 23, 2014 by garylongden

It’s Neat- We Really Love Your Tiger feet The component parts of this brand new jukebox musical are impressive. No-one listening to the radio in the 1970’s could have escaped the song writing of Chinn and Chap, Nicky Chinn and … Continue reading →

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Open All Hours- Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Posted on September 21, 2014 by garylongden

F-f-fantastic show Open All Hours started life as a BBC television sitcom created, and written, by Roy Clarke for the BBC. It ran for 26 episodes in four series from 1976 to 1985 and regularly features in the Top Ten … Continue reading →

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