Amy Leach's production of Paul Allen's adaptation of the 1996 film Brassed Off at Leeds Playhouse has moved a Yorkshire audience to tears. This is the first time the story has been staged at the venue, and Leach has brought grit and humanity to the production.
Epic Storytelling in the Quarry Theatre
The Playhouse's Quarry theatre is a large, awkward space that demands epic storytelling. With a name that suggests it has been dug from the earth, it is easy to see why Leach thought the colliery story was perfect for this stage. The most striking aspect of the production is the tableaux created with Katie Scott's design: a multilevel steel staircase leading to the enormous wheels of the mine deep below. The opening choreography sees men hewing coal, reminiscent of raising a flag on Iwo Jima. This reference is apt, as the story is a battle for jobs, dignity, pride, and, in some cases, lives.
Political Relevance
While Margaret Thatcher was the great enemy in the mid-90s film, the production adds political speeches and images of recent prime ministers, from Boris Johnson to Rishi Sunak, suggesting that little has changed for the northern working classes. The play tells the story of the Grimley Colliery and its brass band. When the mine is threatened with closure, the men vote on whether to strike or accept their fate. The central question is: if the mine shuts down, will the band play on?
Stirring Brass Music
The ending is well-known, and the production demands stirring brass music. Leach has recruited members of Horbury Victoria and Wakefield Metropolitan brass bands to swell the actor-musician numbers. When they play, the chest of every local in the auditorium swells. The band leader Danny, played by David Birrell, is all gruff Yorkshireman. Danielle Henry is sparky as terrified Sandra, and Andy Cryer is reliable as Jim, who, like much of the audience, is moved to tears by the brass-accompanied denouement.
There are moments when the story lacks nuance, but Leach does a fine job with the material. The production runs at Leeds Playhouse until 11 July.
