Oldham Coliseum theatre plays host to Brassed Off, a play based on a 1996 comedy-drama film written and directed by Mark Herman starring Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor.
The film was about the troubles faced by a colliery brass band, following the closure of their pit. The soundtrack for the film was provided by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and the plot is based on Grimethorpe's own struggles against pit closures. It is generally very positively received for its role in promoting brass bands and their music. Parts of the film make reference to the huge increase in suicides that resulted from the end of the coal industry in Britain, and the struggle to retain hope in the circumstances.
Brassed Off features local brass bands:
The Delph Band – Wednesday 7 – Saturday 10 September
The Diggle Band – Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 September
The Oldham Band (Lees) – Tuesday 20 September – Saturday 24 October
Boarshurst Silver Band – Tuesday 27 September – Saturday 1 October
Brassed Off runs from Wednesday 7 September – Saturday 1 October. You can Book tickets online at
http://www.coliseum.org.uk or phone the Coliseum on 0161 624 2829
