The critically acclaimed musical 'Brass' by Benjamin Till is to be staged for a special one-off production in Birmingham in February.
Originally commissioned by The National Youth Music Theatre, 'Brass' is a story of love, loss and heartbreak. It was premiered in Leeds in 2014, and tells the fictional tale of the members of the Hyde Park Brass Band who join a Leeds 'Pals Battalion' during the First World War.
Hope
Having to leave their instruments at home following deployment to France, their wives and girlfriends take the decision to learn to play them instead — in the hope that they will be able to welcome their heroes home to the sound of brass band music.
The production went on to win a prestigious UK theatre award for Best Musical Production 2014 and was subsequently revived last August at The Hackney Empire in London where critics called it; 'An evening of gripping power. Stunningly performed."
Newly adapted
This newly adapted semi-staged concert version is in collaboration with The National Youth Music Theatre and Birmingham Conservatoire.
Most of the musicians that will be involved are studying or have studied at the Conservatoire and will be directed by Harrison Williams, who took part in the original show and the Hackney production in 2016.
The production went on to win a prestigious UK theatre award and was subsequently revived last August at The Hackney Empire in London where critics called it; 'An evening of gripping power. Stunningly performed.'4BR
Rich harmonies
He told 4BR: "It was only natural to want to do the show again — and as the MD this time. Knowing the score from both a musician's and an actor's perspective has been a real advantage."
Benjamin Till's rich harmonies and soaring melodies lend themselves very well to the warm tones even a small brass band can produce, especially as we will have players such as Tredegar Band MD, and Conservatoire Head of Brass Band Studies, Ian Porthouse in the ranks.
He added: "Having been taught as a student makes this very special to have him join us for the production, whilst it's also great to have Zak Eastop on lead trumpet as he played in both previous productions."
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Image copyright: Konrad Bartelski
Show previews:
Brass is showing at The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham on Monday 20th Feb at 7.00pm.
