Brassed Off at Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Oldham Coliseum Theatre presents the funny and life-affirming Brassed Off this September, featuring the musical talents of Oldham and Saddleworth local brass bands, The Delph Band, The Diggle Band, The Oldham Band (Lees) and Boarshurst Silver Band.
Based on a true story, and adapted from the 1996 film starring Pete Postlethwaite and Ewan McGregor, Brassed Off is a tale of community spirit and triumph in the face of adversity.
It’s 1992 and Danny’s lifelong ambition to lead Grimley Colliery Band to the National Brass Band Competition at the Royal Albert Hall looks like it might finally happen. But Grimley pit faces closure and the future looks bleak for the miners, the town and the band. Flugelhorn player Gloria arrives in town bringing with her a renewed sense of hope and a touch of romance, but as the miners chose between picket lines and redundancy, no-one knows who she’s really playing for.
Oldham Coliseum Theatre has produced Brassed Off twice before, in 2005 and 2008, both of which were incredibly well received. The 2016 production features a cast including Paul Barnhill as Phil, band leader Danny’s son. Paul recently played a role as a footman in Stephen Spielberg’s The BFG, his daughter Ruby stars in the film as Sophie alongside Mark Rylance as BFG.
Four local brass bands will feature across the run, playing music including: William Tell Overture, Death or Glory, Danny Boy, Land of Hope and Glory and Rodigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.
“There’s something about a good brass band that stirs the soul” – Manchester Evening News on the Coliseum’s 2008 production of Brassed Off.
The real-life band that inspired Brassed Off, Grimetorpe Colliery Band, fought for survival after the closure of their local coal mine and won the National Brass Band Championships in 1992. They featured in the 1996 film and have since won the Championship twice more – in 2006 and 2007- and performed at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
Brassed Off runs at Oldham Coliseum Theatre from Wednesday 7 September – Saturday 1 October 2016.
Tickets can be booked on 0161 624 2829 or at www.coliseum.org.uk
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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