Robert
Longden graduated
from the Central School of Speech
and Drama where he
studied acting winning the John Gielgud Award in 1974..
On the stage, Robert
started at the Royal Shakespeare Company, joined the Young Vic (ROZENCRANTZ
AND GUILDERNSTERN ARE DEAD) , The American Repertory (IN THE BOOM BOOM
ROOM, SUNDANCE), Chichester Festival Theatre (MAJOR BARBARA) and
Berkoff's original London Theatre Group where he created the role of
"Mum" in EAST.
He has featured in movies
such as SELLING HITLER, AGATHA, ADOLPH HITLER, MY PART IN HIS DOWNFALL,
DECADENCE, and SPY-MASTER. He has established great characterization on
British television in drama series such as THE BEIDERBECKE TRILOGY (Mr.
Pitt), DANGER U.X.B. (Sapper Copping,), COST OF LOVING, THE GENTLE
TOUCH, DICKENS OF LONDON, WOOD AND WALTERS, FOOTBALLERS WIVES TV, DOWN
TO EARTH, BLUE MURDER, CASUALTY and DOCTORS.
Seasoned musical theatre
performer Robert was in the original productions of THE ROCKY HORROR
SHOW, WINDY CITY and ME AND MY GIRL (which won the Olivier Award 1985.)
He also played Mr. Cellophane in CHICAGO, GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. OH WHAT A
LOVELY WAR, BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, TOAD OF TOAD HALL and recently played
the lead in the National Tour of SALAD DAYS directed by Ned Sherrin.
Robert is unique for his
radio (LEGAL, DECENT, HONEST AND TRUTHFUL, and SEMI CIRCLES) voice over
and commercial work making featured appearances in commercials opposite
comic legends such as Leonard Rossiter and Peter Sellers. His last
commercial for BUTTERKIST became a regular feature in Disney's THE
FUNNIEST COMMERCIALS YOU HAVE NEVER
SEEN!
Robert presented and wrote
two documentaries “THE GRAND” for Southern Television “THE SMALL
AVAILABLE JOYS” for Granada, was honoured to take part in two Royal
Variety Performances, three OLIVIERS as well as being a guest on the
B.B.C. chat show WOGAN which devoted a full hour to his cult school girl
musical; “Moby Dick." produced
in the West End by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. From that he was commissioned
to write a musical of “THE FLY” followed by “BEACHBALL” (Neil Sedaka
songs). He also writes screenplays; “THE BATTLE OF STEPNEY” and “AQUA
GIRL” and “FRANK THE RIPPER!”
Mr Longden has been working on a new script which
is not under license yet, but you might find an interesting read. See it
here.
HOT OFF THE PRESS. “MOBY DICK” in DAYTONA.
AUGUST 2005.
“This maybe the absolutely the funniest show I have
ever seen, at least I cannot recall when I laughed for two hours
straight..... It is an extraordinary evening at the theatre that
produces fun at such a frantic pace, it will leave you breathless at
times. Be prepared to join in the standing ovation at the end.”
Dick Derekes.
Entertaining U Jacksonville.
“Not to mention the phenomenal score”
Cheryll Tiswell. What’s happening Daytona?
SHALOM ALECHEIM, NEW END HAMPSTEAD.
“There’s a dreamy otherworldness to Shalom
Alechiem’s stories of life in the shetls of Tsarist Russia. Designer and
director Robert Longden lovingly captures that quality with his strange
but effective set , taking inspiration from Mark Chagall’s equally
mystical paintings, he has painted a tree, a moon and a rich blue
twilight on the stage floor.” The Stage.
“Broadway
comes to Owosso”
Owosso Argue Press.
MOBY
DICK- MASSACHUSETTS, AMSTETTEN, WEST END etc
"Quite the best thing about it is the staging,
which has moments of sheer brilliance and uninhibited fun. MOBY DICK IS
SO EXTRAORDINARY THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND SEE IT AT ONCE!"
Financial Times, Malcolm Rutherford.
"THE GAGS FLY THICK AND
FAST. A MUST -SEE SHOW. NOT JUST FOR KIDS, OR JUST PARENTS OR FOR THE
2O-SOMETHINGS- BUT FOR EVERYONE." Herald Tribune.
"Lunacy on the high seas-THE MUSIC IS TERRIFIC.
IT'S THE MOST ORIGINAL, MAD, WILD, OFF THE WALL SHOW."
Daily Mail.
"Hellzapoppin" for the nineties."
MIDWEEK",
"THE STAGING IS RAPID AND OFTEN SURPRISING AND
FREQUENTLY STARTLING."
Providence
Journal. Massachusetts.
"If I had to choose between Webber and whale, I
would know what to do." Peter
Merck Wetzelarer Neue Zeitung.
