Bolton brass bands to perform in Brassed Off play

The 1996 film Brassed Off gave colliery brass bands the big screen treatment

Two brass bands say they are “thrilled” to join a new theatrical adaptation of the 1996 hit movie Brassed Off.

The film, which starred Ewan McGregor and the late Pete Postlethwaite, followed the ups and downs of a colliery brass band amid the closure of its coal mine.

Wingates Brass Band and Eagley Band, both established in Bolton in the 1800s, will perform in the new theatre version, having previously featured in a 2013 production at the town’s Octagon Theatre.

Wingates' band member Laura Hounsome said the show depicts “many gritty, funny and emotive themes of British, and banding, history”.

Eagley Band treasurer Deb Lyons said several band members who had played in the 2013 adaptation still see it as "one of the highlights" of their time playing with the band.

“It is a timely moment to present this iconic play, 30 years after the 1984 miners’ strike," said the play’s director, Liz Stevenson. "Our production looks back on the battles of this close-knit mining community, asking, what has changed?”

The play will run at Bolton's Octagon Theatre from 5-28 September, following runs in Keswick and Scarborough.