It’s 30 years ago since the iconic film Brassed Off first hit the cinema screens, and two years later Mark Herman’s screenplay was adapted for the stage as a play with music by Paul Allen.

Now this Yorkshire ‘classic’ has been reimagined, refreshed and given a new sense of purpose by director Amy Leach.

The story remains faithful to the original, taking place in the fictional South Yorkshire town of Grimley in the late 1990s, where the mining community are about to lose 100 years of work in the local pit and also their beloved brass band, an important part of the community.

The miners face a dilemma: do they fight to keep their profitable pit open, or do they opt for an attractive redundancy payment, which would help them recover from the hardships suffered 10 years before during the miners' strike?

Retired miner Danny, conductor of the colliery band, is not only fighting a terminal illness but also trying to keep his band of disheartened players together to fulfil his dreams of qualifying for the National Championships and playing at The Albert Hall, but the prospect of the mine closing could destroy this.

“If pit goes then the band goes, doesn't it… “It is more than anything else round here that symbolises pride...”

Leach’s production gives a positive vibe about the importance of community, belonging and family, switching admirably between comedic moments and pathos and drama.

Brassed off is an ensemble piece and is crammed with outstanding characterisations. David Birrell is a resolute and strong conductor who believes in the unifying powers of music, while his son Robin Morrissey gives a powerful performance as a man heavily in debt, struggling to feed his family and keep loan sharks away from the door, with a believable performance from Danielle Henry as his resourceful wife, Sandra.

Andy Cryer (Jim) and his mate Ewen Cummins (Harry) are true Northern grit and bring heart, soul and comedic moments along with wives Pauline Tomlin (Rita) and Wendy Alibiston (Pauline), who are the true epitome of Northern wives: “At least we know what they are up to when they are at the band."

A touch of romance is added by Maddie Hansen, a determined Gloria returning to her roots, joining the band and reigniting her romance with her old flame Frazer Hadfield (Andy).

But it’s the Horbury Victoria Brass Band and the Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band that give credibility and make the night come alive. An integral part of the narrative they play stirring music from ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ to ‘The Floral Dance’



Brassed Off runs until July 11th at Leeds Playhouse