THE City of Bradford Brass Band has a starring role in a new production of Brassed Off.

Based on Mark Herman's screenplay of the hit film, the play captures the resilience and despair of a mining community struggling and failing to hold onto its pit. The miners at Grimley colliery who stood firm through the 1984 strike now face a renewed redundancy ballot that threatens to consigns both their livelihoods and a century of brass band tradition to extinction.

As sad as it is funny, this stage version retains the film's rugged humour and embattled sense of community.

“Plays like Brassed Off are a modern folk tale for the north," says director Neil Knipe. "These stories need to be passed down from generation to generation so we never forget the plight and battle of the miners and the tragedy of the pit closures.

“Yes, this production has all the classic lines from the film and gold northern humour but we’re also making sure we highlight the desperation and sense of being trapped that these characters faced.”

The City of Bradford Brass Band takes on the role of the fictional Grimley Colliery Band in the powerful production. Formerly known as the YBS Concert Brass, the band was founded in Saltaire in the early 20th century. Today it is based in Bradford in a newly-converted rehearsal space.

Under the directorship of Lee Skipsey, the band's accolades have included wins at the Northern Open Championships for three consecutive years (2010-12), and representing Yorkshire at the National Brass Band Finals in 2011 and 2012.

Members of the Brassed Off cast, accompanied by director Neil, recently visited the disused mine at the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield.

"We ascended out of the pit, around a dozen of us tightly packed into the metal cage that pulls up 140 meters to the surface," says Neil. "Our tour guide, Rich, is an ex miner who talked with relish about the camaraderie and brotherhood spirit among the men he worked alongside.

"As I’ve delved more into the plight of the miners, I’ve become astonished at the determination and bravery of these men, their families and communities.

"Telling this modern folk tale in honour of all those who were and still are affected by the systematic destruction of an entire industry, we’ve been mindful throughout the rehearsal process that these stories and situations are real and it’s something we’ve strived not to shy away from. We hope we’ve done them justice."

Brassed Off is a joint production by regional theatre company Bite My Thumb which has presented works by the likes of Ben Elton, John Godber and Willy Russell; the newly-formed Foot of the Barrel Theatre and Comedy Group, which has staged various performances including Scrooge at Brighouse Victorian Market, 'Allo 'Allo at the town's 1940s weekend, and stand-up comedy nights; and Northern Spark Theatre Company, which produces theatre that "looks into the human condition and highlights issues affecting people in British society today".

* Brassed Off runs at the National Coal Mining Museum on August 26 and 27 - call (01924) 848806; The Carriageworks, Leeds, on September 1 and 3 - call (0113) 376 0318, and Brighouse Civic Hall on September 9 and 10 - call (01484) 711835.

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