Brassed Off – Octagon Theatre Bolton Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Cath Joyce

The Octagon Theatre Bolton, in collaboration with Theatre by the Lake (Keswick) and the Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough), has brought to life a powerful and moving adaptation of Brassed Off, the popular 1996 film by Mark Herman. Set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Grimley, the story centres around a community of mining families grappling with the imminent closure of the colliery where they all work, and the devastating impact this will have on their lives. At the heart of the story are the men of the Grimley Colliery Brass Band, led by their conductor Danny, who is determined to see them reach the national championships at the Albert Hall, even as the mine’s closure looms.

In this adaptation by Paul Allen, directed by Liz Stevenson, the play is narrated by Shane, the son of Sandra and Phil. Unlike the film, where Shane is a young boy, this version presents him as an adult, which works remarkably well. Sometimes there as an observer and other times directly involved in the action, Shane’s presence adds emotional depth to the story, making the audience empathise with him and his family while reminding us of the immense struggles the mining community faced during that era.

Though the play tackles some heavy, sombre themes, there is also plenty of humour and we laughed out loud many times during the performance. What truly makes Brassed Off stand out, however, is the musical talent of the cast. Many are skilled musicians, and the audience is treated to live brass band performances many times during the performance. Classics such as “The Floral Dance,” “Danny Boy,” and “Land of Hope and Glory” were performed, with the acoustics of the theatre-in-the-round enhancing the overall experience and bringing an extra dimension to the production. The actors are joined by local brass bands for these performances – I’m unsure which band played on the evening I attended but both Wingates Brass Band and Eagley Band are involved in the Bolton run.

The set design is simple, yet this minimalism works to the play’s advantage, allowing the focus to remain on the characters and the music.

The entire cast delivers heartfelt performances, but a special mention has to go to Russell Richardson for his portrayal of Danny. He masterfully conveys both the pride and despair of a man whose identity is intertwined with the fate of the mine and the band. Daneka Etchells also shines as Sandra, a struggling mother of four, evoking real empathy as she navigates the stage with her children in tow.

With outstanding performances and incredible music don’t miss this chance to see Brassed Off at the Octagon theatre, Bolton

Rating: 5/5

Brassed Off is at Octagon Theatre, Bolton from Thursday 5th until Saturday 28th September shows start at 7.30pm with a matinee starting at 2pm on selected dates.

Ticket prices start at £15 and are available from https://octagonbolton.co.uk/events/brassed-off#dates-and-times or by phoning the theatre on 01204 520661