Brassed Off

Set in 1992 Grimley Colliery faces closure and the future of its Brass Band is very uncertain.   The choices for its players between the cost of playing in the band and putting food on the table is a daily struggle, the difference between a big redundancy package and the picket line, with perhaps a job at the end and perhaps not, almost divides the community and is heart wrenching.  So, the thought of possibly winning the forthcoming National Brass Band Competition seems like a pipe dream but there is that possibility.

This play, with its simple settings, good lighting, minimal scenery and modern costumes held ones attention from the outset.  Plenty of comedy as the lads washed up from their shift down the pit.  The disagreements between husbands and wives in the struggle of providing for their families, the support between the women, for each other and for their men, all was quite true to life in those very difficult times.  The film projection on the backcloth throughout the show showed all the fights and troubles between the miners and the Police at that time.

Beautifully directed by Giles and outstandingly acted by all the cast it is not possible really to pick out single parts but Megan Murray, handled her brood of stage family with true love and caring and her eldest child Shane, played by Reece Jennings, was the real cheeky chappie but knew the difference between comedy and tragedy.  The final scene where his Grandfather hands over his baton to him was really heart wrenching.

Brassed Off is a play, very cleverly written, but it is about a Brass Band performing live music and they really are the stars of the show.  The Bradford Players performed this with an excellent local band The Clifton and Lightcliffe Band.  Their lead Cornet player set us all practically crying with his rendition of Jerusalem and their Fugel Horn player was truly outstanding playing part of Rodrigo’s Concerto.  Well done to the actors who ‘fudged’ playing their instruments so well and well done the players of the band who joined in and acted so well.  It all made for a super show.

I really enjoyed my evening – thank you everyone.

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