Brassed Off

Combining the talents of theatre folk with the accomplished Malvern Hills District Brass Band and underpinned by a strong storyline and well-crafted script written and adapted by Paul Allen from Mark Herman's screenplay, the story is laced with raw emotion and great humour providing a recipe for first class entertainment. It is a passionate reflection of the political climate of the time and against every criteria did not disappoint on all fronts.

Every aspect of the play crucially highlighted the plight and hardship encountered by a struggling mining community. The background being a test of survival in facing the consequences of the industry’s decline during the time of the Thatcher government

As the fight to save jobs goes on - 'The Miners, United, Will Never Be Defeated', veteran bandmaster Danny, a former miner with dodgy lungs, was played brilliantly by David Goode as he is striving to prevent his beloved band from folding and lead them to the final of a national competition.

Matt Fearnley (Danny's debt-troubled son, Phil) gave a powerful performance throughout, coping with his financial problems and the consequential breakdown of his marriage. When his worried wife, Sandra, discovers he has splashed out on a second-hand trombone while she is struggling to feed the kids and keep the bailiffs at bay, Jenny Tranter played this role with love and compassion.

Sophie Davey–Over played the flugel horn player ‘Gloria’ who is seen by some of the miners as a management spy when they discover she is there to carry out a feasibility study on the doomed pit on behalf of the Coal Board. The character is first welcomed by the pitmen's band when they realise she is such a talented musician. Love blossoms between her and former childhood sweetheart Andy (Matthew Jeffrey) who is unaware of her job with the Coal Board when she arrives in her home town, flugel horn at the ready.

There were notable performances from John Birchley and Graeme Sinclair as tough-talking miners and band members Jim and Harry, while Joy Williamson and Jane Huxley are their loyal wives, Vera and Rita.

The play was narrated by ‘Shane Ormondroyd’, excellently portrayed by Frankie Blincoe Deval remarkably mature and thoroughly convincing, torn between his warring parents Phil and Sandra, but full of character and optimism. Matthew Tennant gave an accomplished performance as Craig as did Rhiannon Mitchell as Melody, Phil and Sandra’s other children.

The drama works thanks to the superb support of the Malvern Hills District Brass Band. In supporting the miming actors they were tuned to perfection on and off stage.

The set, lighting sound and costumes helped enhance the whole thought provoking production which left the audience thoroughly entertained and rightly so.

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