Author Archives: garylongden

September 2013- What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on August 26, 2013 by garylongden

September is traditionally a strong month for poetry events, 2013 upholds that tradition. Shindig in Leicester, and Poetry Bites in Kings Heath, both bi-monthly events meet, and I am performing in Shrewsbury at the Coffee House with Julie Boden as … Continue reading →

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Evita – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on August 22, 2013 by garylongden

Evita is amongst the best Lloyd Webber/ Rice collaborations. Its themes of power, fame, human triumph, tragedy and frailty are Shakespearean in ambition, wrapped in a popular accessible package which delights audiences wherever it goes. Marti Pellow is the big … Continue reading →

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August 2013- What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on July 28, 2013 by garylongden

Thur 22nd-25th Aug Shambhala Music and Arts Festival Northants – Poetry Tent HOME Aug 23rd – Sept 1st Bridgenorth Festival http://www.bridgnorthmusicfest.com/index.php/arts.html ———————————————————————————————– Day by day———————– Please note that some events take an August break, such as Buzzwords in Cheltenham and … Continue reading →

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Bon Giovi, The Flowerpot, Derby

Posted on July 28, 2013 by garylongden

Friday night was my first visit to this semi-legendary Derby venue for the visit of Bon Jovi tribute Bon Giovi. First impressions were good, the venue was clean, tidy, friendly and with sensible bar prices. Crucially, on a warm summer’s … Continue reading →

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Bilston Voices- June 2013

Posted on July 14, 2013 by garylongden

Bilston Voices has always had a reputation for strong poetry, an appreciative audience and skilful compering. And so it proved in June with a typically eclectic selection of poets on a warm summer evening orchestrated by the ebullient Emma Pursouse. … Continue reading →

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July 2013, What’s on, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on July 3, 2013 by garylongden

Festivals Thur 4th -14th July Lichfield Festival http://www.lichfieldfestival.org/ Fri 5th July- 14th July Ledbury Poetry Festival http://www.poetry-festival.com/ http://www.debretts.com/social-season/ledbury-poetry-festival.aspx Fri 5th -21th July Buxton Festival Home July 6th Wirral Festival of Firsts – Poetry Proms, New Brighton, Wirral, For more details, … Continue reading →

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Steaming, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on July 3, 2013 by garylongden

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 . It is part of an ambitious and varied summer season of … Continue reading →

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The Final Fall

Posted on July 1, 2013 by garylongden

That moment when he was counted out, forever When neither bell chime, Nor wet towel , Could raise his life on the canvas, it was time. Not just for him, but for an era. The wrestling holds he taught, on … Continue reading →

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Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Sutton Arts Theatre Company, Sutton Coldfield

Posted on June 24, 2013 by garylongden

Laughter on the 23rd Floor is a Neil Simon comedy which opened on Broadway in 1993.According to Simon, Sid Caesar’s writers on the original Your Show of Shows ,including himself and his older brother Danny Simon, held their script sessions … Continue reading →

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Limehouse Lizzy, Tamworth Assembly Rooms

Posted on June 9, 2013 by garylongden

Thin Lizzy were one of the great live bands and an obvious inspiration for a tribute act. Although the tribute genre has moved well beyond the need for physical facsimiles of original performers, the unique persona of Phil Lynnot is … Continue reading →

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