Steven Roberts, the musical director of Gary Clarke's critically acclaimed production 'COAL', has spoken exclusively to 4BR about how the sound of live brass has played an essential part in the award winning piece of dance theatre.
'COAL' is a contemporary work about the devastating effect the Miners' Strike of 1984/85 had on mining communities — not just the miners themselves, but also their wives and families. The music provided by a small brass ensemble forms an essential part of the production.
Legacy
"Gary is from Grimethorpe at the heart of the South Yorkshire coalfields — the scene of some of the bitterest conflicts of the dispute,"Steven said. "He grew up during the strike and had first-hand experience of the plight of many families — witnessing how the community he knew faded and became one of the poorest in the UK in its aftermath.
For Gary, 'COAL' was about leaving a legacy for those people, their struggle and their community — once vibrant and now destroyed."
Intense reality
The intense sense of reality sees the seven professional dancers joined by four women from the local community in which the production takes place, to play miner's wives. All have absolutely no previous dance theatre experience.
In addition, the musical accompaniment is provided by a quintet from a local brass band.
Steven added: "The link between mining communities and brass bands is absolutely clear and when Gary asked that he wanted brass music in the production, it made complete sense."
Preview and premiere
'COAL' previewed in 2015 at Cast in Doncaster featuring players from Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, who also played in a number of the 2016 tour venues.
Supported by Arts Council England, it officially premiered in Birmingham in 2016 and has since played to sell out audiences across Britain, gaining a prestigious Achievement in Dance Award at the UK Theatre Awards.
Challenge
Steven said: "The challenge was that the music had to be representative of the sounds of a typical brass band and so therefore needed to be familiar.
Live brass is used in the scenes above ground while the central act utilises a thunderous soundscape by Noise Artist Daniel Thomas before exploding to a shattering climax with a recording of the first movement of Beethoven's 'Fifth Symphony'."
Bands that took part in the 2016 tour included City of Birmingham Brass, North London Brass, NASUWT Riverside, Thoresby Colliery, Kirkintilloch, Brighouse & Rastrick, Tredegar and Fairey.
2017 tour
Such has been the impact that funding has now been secured for the production to tour again in 2017, as Steven added: "Funding has been secured and tickets are already on sale in Liverpool, Blackpool and Leicester, with further productions in Poole and Nottingham. New dates will also be announced."
The show is a visceral experience — full of emotion, as Steven explains. "As Margaret Thatcher takes away almost every last bit of self-respect and dignity, the production closes with 'David of the White Rock', which leaves both cast and audience feeling drained and empty — though the final major chord of the piece gives us hope and tells us that communities are not completely broken."
What has struck me most is the very clear connection and sense of engagement that each band has felt with the show. The bond between players and performers is instantly tangibleSteven Roberts
Uplifting experience
Meanwhile, working with bands has also been an uplifting experience as Steven concluded: "What has struck me most is the very clear connection and sense of engagement that each band has felt with the show. The bond between players and performers is instantly tangible.
At the centre of this production is community, and this is felt clearly and strongly by each brass player, simply because at the centre of every brass band is the same sense of community and camaraderie."
Further details
Further details of the 2017 tour dates can be found at:
