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A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Full-Length Play, Drama / 5w, 7m
A play by Paul AllenAdapted from the screenplay by Mark Herman
Adapted from the 1996 film of the same name, this brassy ensemble play is filled with heartbreak and humour as it tells the story of one of the last coal towns left standing in 1980s England.
Grimley Colliery is set to close as the accountants say there's more money in it shut than open, even after redundancy payments. This would mean 1,200 recently unemployed people, a dying town and the loss of its brass band. But under the leadership of Danny, coughing with coal-dusted lungs, the band is somehow transformed into British champions with local lass Gloria whipping up the money needed to get them to the Albert Hall. This celebratory and defiant show is adapted from the 1996 film of the same name and tells the story of a fictional coal town left standing with heartbreak, humour and a brassy ensemble.
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.
Brassed Off – Derby Theatre Trailer
Brassed Off – Theatre by the Lake Trailer
Brassed Off – Audience Reactions, Derby Theatre
Brassed Off – Derby Theatre Highlights
Brassed Off – Oldham Coliseum Production