Author Archives: garylongden

Sound of Music – Sutton Arts theatre- Sutton Coldfield

Posted on June 20, 2025 by garylongden

**** This is not a conventional review. Everyone knows the story, most have seen the film. There is an acting cast of upwards of  forty including rotation and a band of several. Director Emily Armstrong has had to morph into … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kiss me Quickstep- Derby Theatre

Posted on June 10, 2025 by garylongden

*** A criticism that could never be levelled at Derby Theatre is that it is predictable and boring. Next year we have the Classic Macbeth,  tonight we had Kiss me Quickstep a contemporaneous tilt at dramatizing the modern media interest … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

‘ Guitar ‘  by Earl Slick- an autobiography book review

Posted on June 6, 2025 by garylongden

Not only is Earl Slick my favourite Bowie guitarist, he is also one of my favourite all time guitarists. So my expectations of this book were high. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. licks credits read like excerpts from a compendium … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Burial site for George Heath- the Moorlands poet

Posted on May 31, 2025 by garylongden

St Michaels Church Horton, Staffs As a past Staffordshire Poet laureate I have always been fascinated by George Heath, the gifted poet who died aged only 25 years old of “Consumption” or what we call Tuberculosis a major killer up … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Me and Mr Jones – Suzi Ronson ( book review)

Posted on May 24, 2025 by garylongden

I have previously mentioned a new book by veteran British music PR Alan Edwards   ( I was there) which sheds light on his life with some of the biggest names in music, including David Bowie, the Spice Girls and Amy … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just Between Ourselves – Derby Theatre

Posted on May 10, 2025 by garylongden

Just between ourselves *** A London Classic theatre production.  LCT have performed for twenty five years, this is their 49th Uk tour and their third Ayckbourn play .  “Just Between Ourselves”  was premiered  in 1976, almost a half century ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gladiator 11- film review

Posted on May 5, 2025 by garylongden

Gladiator II 2024 ★★★★ Watched 05 May 2025 I am a big sword and sandals fan and loved the first film. This sequel turned out to be both impressive and a disappointment at the same time It is a lazy reheating of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Leave a comment

Boys From the Blackstuff – Derby Theatre

Posted on April 11, 2025 by garylongden

***** This drama as a television series made an enormous impact upon me as a young man in my early 20’s. In my memory it stands out as one of the finest social dramas I have ever seen. Originally written … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Leave a comment

Spitfire Girls- Derby Theatre

Posted on April 10, 2025 by garylongden

***** This is a story with which I was already familiar. I always thought it would make a good drama and  Tilted Wig and MAST productions  have done it proud It features two female lead roles, itself a rarity, two … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Poems 2025

Posted on April 9, 2025 by garylongden

Vindicated Quite quite still, not a sound No bother, no trouble Laying cold on the ground The body angular, inert unfound Soft wind blows  slowly past the rubble Quite quite still, not a sound A transgression taxed pound  for pound … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Leave a comment