REVIEW : Brassed Off at The Everyman Theatre
Living up to the excellent film ‘Brassed Off’ was always going to be tricky but this stage production by ‘A Touring Consortium Theatre Company’ more than rises to the challenge. When you have the quality of actors such as John McArdle from ‘Waterloo Road’ and Andrew Dunn from ‘Dinnerladies’ you know the standard is going to be high. Add to this the emotional story of the miner’s strike, the threat of pit closure and a prizewinning brass band from Gloucester, ‘The Flowers Band’ and you know you’re onto a winner.
The acting is edgy and raw but offset by humour. Even though the band are struggling with the possible closure of their pit they manage to have maybe too good a time at a local competition – getting in rounds of beer that turns their performance into a pantomime.
Clara Darcy, who plays Gloria, is really accomplished on the flugelhorn and the collective sound of the brass band sends tingles down your spine. Andrew Dunn puts in a moving performance as Phil, John McArdle is first class and the banter between the cast who play the rest of the miners is hilarious.
If you see nothing else this season, go and see ‘Brassed Off’, it’s one of the best production we've seen at the Everyman. Brassed Off runs until Saturday.
Explore Gloucestershire
26 March 2014
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