DANNY – Ex-miner, veteran conductor of Grimley Band.
PHIL – His son, miner and trombone player, about 35.
SANDRA – Phil’s wife.
JIM – Somewhat older miner and euphonium player.
VERA – Jim’s wife.
HARRY – Jim’s inseparable companion in pit and band: a big E flat bass player (tuba).
RITA – Harry’s wife.
ANDY – A miner and tenor horn player, about 25.
GLORIA – Newly returned to Grimley, an excellent flugelhorn player, about 25.
SHANE – Son of Phil and Sandra, aged eight in 1994 but now older.
CRAIG – Shane’s younger brother.
MELODY – Shane’s younger sister.
BAILIFFS, NURSES, MINERS, etc. to be played by members of the company.
BRASS BAND PLAYERS
The play takes place in Shane’s memory. He was eight when the action took place and is now recalling it with hindsight. The age of the actor who plays Shane, therefore, is determined by a decision as to when the play is being staged. Realistically, he would be 19 in 2005, but the play was first performed successfully with 12-year-olds, as it is useful to suggest that he is still a child.
The parts of the NURSES can be doubled or be reduced to a single nurse as needed.
The BAILIFFS can be doubled by the actors playing Jim and Harry.
Ideally, the band should be seen only when on stage: at the start, in the first rehearsal scene, marching at Saddleworth, at the start of Act II, appearing in a small group at the hospital and performing at the Albert Hall. However, the bands which are less mobile or theatres with small stages may make it necessary to station bands permanently in one place which can be included in the action when appropriate but left in darkness at other times.
The play takes place in Shane’s memory. He was eight when the action took place and is now recalling it with hindsight. The age of the actor who plays Shane, therefore, is determined by a decision as to when the play is being staged. Realistically, he would be 19 in 2005, but the play was first performed successfully with 12-year-olds, as it is useful to suggest that he is still a child.
The parts of the NURSES can be doubled or be reduced to a single nurse as needed.
The BAILIFFS can be doubled by the actors playing Jim and Harry.
Ideally, the band should be seen only when on stage: at the start, in the first rehearsal scene, marching at Saddleworth, at the start of Act II, appearing in a small group at the hospital and performing at the Albert Hall. However, the bands which are less mobile or theatres with small stages may make it necessary to station bands permanently in one place which can be included in the action when appropriate but left in darkness at other times.