Author Archives: garylongden

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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June 2013, What’s on, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on June 9, 2013 by garylongden

Festivals Sheffield Poetry Festival 1st-9th June http://sheffieldpoetryfestival.com/programme/ Fri 13th- 16th June Warwick Words http://www.warwickwords.co.uk/ Fri 14th -23rd June Worcester Literary Festival http://www.worcslitfest.com/ Sat 15th/17th June Leamington Spa, Peace Festival http://www.peacefestival.org.uk/ Fri 21st June -6th July Ashbourne Festival http://www.ashbournefestival.org/ Sat 21st … Continue reading →

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Quadrophenia, Tamworth Rep Co,Tamworth Assembly Rooms

Posted on May 28, 2013 by garylongden

The opening night of Tamworth Repertory Company’s much anticipated production of Quadrophenia promised much, and delivered, to a full and enthusiastic audience. Following the success of last year’s production of The Wall at the same venue, director Simon Quinn from … Continue reading →

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May 2013- What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on May 8, 2013 by garylongden

In Oklahoma! the cry is that “June is busting out all over”, in Midlands Poetry it is busting out in May. A combination of eight festivals, and over fifty stand alone poetry and storytelling events mean that there are some … Continue reading →

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“Yes Prime Minister” ,Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on May 8, 2013 by garylongden

“Yes, Minister” is a rarity, a television catchphrase which entered into popular parlance. A code, implying the reverse of its overt meaning. The sitcom, which morphed into “Yes Prime Minister”, was essential viewing in its heyday, the Thatcherite eighties. It … Continue reading →

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“Emma” , Sutton Arts Theatre, Sutton Coldfield.

Posted on May 3, 2013 by garylongden

Sutton Arts continue their policy of imaginative programming by presenting this production of Emma, an adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel. Such adaptations can be problematic. Aficionados of the novel can be critical of what is inevitably omitted, those … Continue reading →

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Quadrophenia at Tamworth Assembly Rooms – The Pinch Interview

Posted on April 30, 2013 by garylongden

In the past few weeks, Garyswordz has had the opportunity to speak to Simon Quinn, Director of the forthcoming production of Quadrophenia playing at Tamworth Assembly Rooms on Friday 24th and Sat 25th May, and Staffordshire Poet Laureate Mal Dewhirst, … Continue reading →

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Bilston Voices, Metro Cafe, Church St, Bilston

Posted on April 26, 2013 by garylongden

Bilston Voices has had a weather interrupted start to the year with two of the four events snowed off. Thus a full house turned up in expectation, and relief , the show is back on the road. The pulling power … Continue reading →

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