Author Archives: garylongden

The Buzzcocks, The Robin 2, Bilston

Posted on April 11, 2014 by garylongden

This was the third time I had seen the Buzzcocks. Previous shows had been at Leeds University in 1978, in their heyday, supported by John Cooper Clarke, and in 1994 at the Market Tavern in Kidderminster, a low rent occasion … Continue reading →

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The Quiet Compere, MAC, Birmingham

Posted on March 24, 2014 by garylongden

Those involved in performing poetry, and attending such events, invariably demonstrate qualities which make them a joy to be involved with. The Quiet Compere roadshow exemplified this, poet and troubadour Sarah L Dixon has a mission to take poetry around … Continue reading →

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Steaming, Sutton Arts, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on March 20, 2014 by garylongden

Laughter, pathos and bathos at the bathhouse. Steaming was written in 1981 by Nell Dunn and was first staged at the Theatre Royal, Stratford, in London, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy . Sutton Arts publicity promised … Continue reading →

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Paul Bunyan, English Touring Opera, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on March 18, 2014 by garylongden

This bold revival of a seldom performed and relatively obscure operetta was the second offering from the English National Opera during their stay in Wolverhampton, the safer “Magic Flute” having been well despatched the night before. Paul Bunyan, by Benjamin … Continue reading →

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The Magic Flute, English Touring Opera, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on March 17, 2014 by garylongden

This was the first night of an English Touring Opera double offering ,with Paul Bunyan to come on the following night. The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart set to a German libretto by … Continue reading →

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Poems inspired by 52

Posted on March 13, 2014 by garylongden

Jo Bell is one of the most hardworking and talented poets working in the UK today. She has an initiative for 2014 offering weekly prompts for 52 poems during the year:http://fiftytwopoetry.wordpress.com/ Her blog can be found here: http://belljarblog.wordpress.com/ These represent … Continue reading →

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March 2014, What’s On Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on February 26, 2014 by garylongden

A very strong month with the heavyweight festival season kicking off in earnest in Bath, Cheltenham and Oxford, both well worth a trip beyond the Midlands. Local highlights include the Quiet Compere Tour at rhe Mac in Birminingham on Fri … Continue reading →

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Poetry Alight 9- Lichfield

Posted on February 26, 2014 by garylongden

After two happy years at The Spark Cafe in Lichfield “Poetry Alight” found itself having to find a new home for 2014. A change in the Cafe’s opening hours, and its repositioning in the evening for Bistro business, meant that … Continue reading →

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Some Girl I Used to Know- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on February 20, 2014 by garylongden

This one woman show introduces a novel concept, a jukebox monologue, starring Denise Van Outen living out a mid life crisis as alter ego Stephanie, set in a hotel room, belting out some period torch songs,a reboot of Shirley Valentine … Continue reading →

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Poetry @ The Shrewsbury Coffee House

Posted on February 8, 2014 by garylongden

This outpost of poetic excellent continues to flourish under the assured guidance of Liz Lefroy and the support of a committed audience. Shrewsbury’s remote geographical location is no match for Liz’s poetic address book. Once again she dragooned a high … Continue reading →

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