Birmingham Mail

BRASSED OFF

THE GRANGE PLAYERS   

GRANGE PLAYHOUSE, WALSALL

    THIS stage version of the hugely successful film is vividly presented by a talented cast, with considerable help from members of the Derbyshire-based Newhall Brass Band.

    Written and adapted by Paul Allen from Mark Herman's screenplay, the story is laced with raw emotion as the threatened closure of Grimley Colliery in North Yorkshire leads to family problems, clashes between workmates and even an attempted suicide.

    As the fight to save jobs goes on ('The Miners, United, Will Never Be Defeated'), veteran bandmaster Danny, a former miner with dodgy lungs, is just as determined to prevent his beloved band folding and lead them to the final of a national competition.

    David Stone excels as Danny - a role brilliantly played by Pete Postlethwaite in the movie - and his moving speech when he rejects the coveted trophy won in the Royal Albert Hall leads to quite a few damp eyes in the audience.

    Dexter Whitehead (Danny's debt-troubled son, Phil) gives a powerful performance alongside Liz Webster, his worried wife, Sandra, and Aimee Hall provides the glamour as the flugel horn playing Gloria, while 13-year-old William Young is a remarkably mature Shane, torn between his warring parents.

    Full marks to the Newhall Brass Band for their musical contributions so vital to the play, produced and directed by Martin Groves. It runs to September 17.

    VERDICT: * * * *

PAUL MARSTON