Brassed Off!Season Now Closed! By Paul Allen from the film script by Mark Herman Performance dates
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A bittersweet comedy to beat the band!
Already an extremely popular and multi-award-winning film starring Pete Postlethwaite and Ewan McGregor, Christchurch theatregoers will be treated to the much-praised stage version of BRASSED OFF adapted by Paul Allen.
In its debut run at the Sheffield Crucible, BRASSED OFF was riotously praised for its “sheer emotional power” and its defiant celebration of community spirit and working-class pride.
Its 1994, a time of uncertainty for the miners of Grimley - their pit is under threat and the colliery band is on the verge of breaking up. “Can’t have a colliery band wi’out a colliery, can you?’” says veteran miner, Harry.
They’re ready to pack it in, but then Gloria Mullins (played by Naomi Ferguson) comes along, rekindling enthusiasm, passion and romance in this fast-paced, bitter-sweet comedy to beat the band.
If you loved the film you'll find the show is even better!
Directed by Robert Gilbert
Robert Gilbert directs what is a brilliantly funny and incredibly moving story of a desperate community fighting for its future.
Shane Foster, who appeared in the original film of BRASSED OFF, leads Canterbury Brass live on stage for the Christchurch production.
Brass band fans, lovers of stirring, powerful theatre and anyone who values heart, spirit and laughter will not want to miss this stunning show.
More...
Grimley may be the invention of Mark Herman but it is the mirror image of scores of small real-life towns in the North of England, South Wales and Southern Scotland. The story of Brassed Off is firmly rooted in reality.
For hundreds of years, Britain’s industrial revolution was fed by the vast northern coalfield. Thousands of independently owned communities grew up around the mines. After the Second World War, British Coal prospered as a domestic market.
With the onset of the pit-closure programme many mines (pits), still with vast reserves of coal, were shut down almost overnight. Families were divided and communties deprived of their livelihood. Towns like Brassed Off’s Grimley found themselves without the core industry that had sustained them for so long.
Cast & Production Team
Cast List
Gloria ------------------------Naomi Ferguson
Sandra-----------------------Annette Thomson
Vera--------------------------Carol Carr
Rita ---------------------------Catherine McGee
Danny ------------------------Norman Forsey
Phil----------------------------David Watkins
Jim----------------------------John Ashton
Harry-------------------------Peter Jewell
Andy--------------------------Jaime Gilbert
Shane -------------Alex Lye and Oliver Samson
Melody-----------------------Gemma Betony
Harmony---------------------Chloe Betony
Nurse 1----------------------Miriam Fisher
Nurse2----------------------Rachel Walsh
Bailiffs/Photographers/Ambulance drivers - John Molik and Phillip Lee
Band Musicians/Miners -----------Canterbury Brass
ProductionTeam
Director -----------------------Robert Gilbert
Musical Director------------Shane Foster
Designer-----------------------Julian Southgate
Stage Managers-------------Anne Fahey/Brenda Hayes
Wardrobe---------------------Brenda Scholes
Props---------------------------Phillip Lee
ASM's--------------------------John Molick, Rachel Walsh
Scene Painter---------------Marion Beattie
Mechanist--------------------Robin Harris
Production Manager------Rozena Hallum
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