Review: BRASSED OFF, Octagon Theatre Bolton
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
30 years since the story’s original setting, and 40 years since the historic year long strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in Britain, Brassed Off returns to audiences in the North, thanks to this new co-production from the Octagon Theatre Bolton, Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.
This northern-centric story has been adapted by Paul Allen from the 1996 film of the same name and follows the members of Grimley Colliery Band – a long running brass band formed of local miners, conducted by former colliery worker Danny. With band members facing the struggles of imminent pit closure and loss of their jobs, the future of their beloved band is also at stake.
Brassed Off’s stage adaptation is partially narrated and overseen by the character of Shane – the 8-year-old son of miner and band member Phil, but interestingly director Liz Stevenson has opted to take the character in a different direction and cast Andrew Turner to play an adult Shane. This decision has re-enforced the notion that Brassed Off is a memory play, as 30 years on from the original setting, the character of Shane would now be 38 years old and he recalls memories from his childhood, spectates as the narrative plays out and steps in to play the younger iteration of himself in parts of the story. By casting the role in this way, it has enhanced the emotional undertones of scenes, with the nice, funny moments seeming to be extra sweet as an older Shane can look back on the memories and be a kid again, but also some of the more hard hitting moments are a little more harrowing as it can be seen to have a lasting effect on Shane as an adult.
The entire cast of Brassed Off truly encapsulate the camaraderie of the collier workers in their performances as they seem to bounce off each other seamlessly for both the comedic moments and the more difficult heartfelt scenes. Some of the characters form part of Grimley Colliery Band so have actor-musicians playing the roles. Accompanying the cast onstage at the Octagon Theatre are the Bolton-based Eagley Band. Together, all of the musicians create a beautifully glorious sound that resonates around the auditorium. And of course, a special mention must be made to the youth cast who play Craig and Melody, Shane’s younger siblings – the pair have their moments to shine and are a wonderful addition to the family unit, headed by the talented Daneka Etchells as Sandra and Joey Hickman as Phil.
Simon Kenny is the set designer for this production and has kept things very simple, proving that sometimes less is indeed more. Suspended above the stage is a large colliery wheel with a section of it broken off – the broken section laying across part of the stage to create a slight ramp and raised platform. Beneath the wheel are lumps of coal to solidify the idea that the coal mining industry is a substantial part of the story and the lives of the characters. The only other set pieces used are yellow benches to form a variety of locations, chairs for the band’s Royal Albert Hall performance, and a ballot box for one very pivotal part of the story features at the end of Act One. The combination of Stevenson’s direction and lighting design by Johanna Town really adds tension throughout the play, but particularly during the ballot scene. There are other moments of the show when the lighting is subtle, but cleverly gives the look of the warm glow of burning coals.
A proudly Northern production of a classic Northern story, Brassed Off is a fantastic production with euphoric acting and musical performances from all. Book whilst you can to catch Liz Stevenson’s version of this show – it would be tuba-d if you missed it!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jess Dalloway
Brassed Off plays at the Octagon Theatre Bolton until 28 September, with further info here.