Author Archives: garylongden

Cosi Fan Tutte, English Touring Opera,Grand Theatre Wolverhampton

Posted on April 15, 2013 by garylongden

English Touring Opera made a return to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre with two ambitious titles for Spring 2013; Cosi Fan Tutte, and Simon Boccanegra performed on successive nights, Monday night’s performance was of the former opera. The music for Cosi Fan … Continue reading →

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Quadrophenia at Tamworth Assembly Rooms is previewed by Director Simon Quinn

Posted on April 14, 2013 by garylongden

With Quadrophenia only just over a month away now, playing at Tamworth Assembly Rooms on Friday 24th and Sat 25th May, I spoke to Director Simon Quinn about his preparations. Q. What attracted you to Quadrophenia in the first place? … Continue reading →

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Driving Miss Daisy, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on April 10, 2013 by garylongden

This play is held in high regard by actors because of the challenge it offers in two regards. Firstly, the two lead characters age 25 years in 90 minutes, secondly, the play is performed as a three hander, further intensifying … Continue reading →

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Boxed Set- Paul Francis

Posted on April 9, 2013 by garylongden

Paul is a retired teacher from Much Wenlock with a growing list of published credits. An accomplished and regular performer on the Midlands and Borders poetry circuit, his writing, and subject matter, is eclectic and diverse. Cross- fertilisation between cinema, … Continue reading →

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Lawn Lore- Nadia Kingsley

Posted on April 9, 2013 by garylongden

Lawn Lore is a wonderful poetry pamphlet borne out of a brilliant idea. Nadia lives in the countryside in a rural idyll in Shropshire, but with imperfect grass on her lawn. One day she was moved to ask a friend … Continue reading →

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Much Wenlock Poetry Festival Sunday 7th April 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by garylongden

This was my second visit to this festival, now in its fourth year. A product of the creative force of local bookshop owner, and poetry aficionado ,Anna Dreda, a strong and varied programme augured well, as did the crowds milling … Continue reading →

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April 2013- What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on April 6, 2013 by garylongden

The festival season kicks in strongly this month with a very strong bill at Much Wenlock and Cheltenham, amongst others. Festivals Fri 5th-7th April Much Wenlock Poetry Festival http://www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org/ April 10th- May30th Leek Arts Festival Home 2 Sat 20th -28th … Continue reading →

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John Donne Day, Polesworth Abbey 2013, 400th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on April 2, 2013 by garylongden

Donne rightly enjoys a position amongst the poetic greats of the English language. The 2nd April, the day of this event ,was the 400th anniversary of Donne’s celebrated poem Good Friday, 1613, Riding Westward, reputedly inspired by his visit to … Continue reading →

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Lichfield Poetry Walk, Sun Mar 17th, 2013

Posted on March 25, 2013 by garylongden

All photos by, and reproduced with kind permission of, Gary Carr. Almost a year ago, I attended a poetry walk in Hartington, led by Derbyshire Stanza. They meet monthly, and invited Birmingham Stanza to join them for the day. It … Continue reading →

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Arthur and George by David Edgar, Sutton Arts Theatre Co @ Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on March 22, 2013 by garylongden

Modern day television and cinema enjoys crime thrillers as staple fare. Local author David Edgar has produced a stage play which taps into that contemporary interest whilst looking backwards a century to the story of George Edalji. Edalji was born … Continue reading →

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