And so to the theatre. I have been to see Brassed Off, a stage adaptation of Mark Herman's 1996 film. Some people - Crumb to be precise - feel that the film stereotypes northerners. I'm not from the north myself - although Herman is - but I am working class - absolutely no idea on Herman's class background - and I think that it's actually working class people who are stereotyped: solidarity, hearts of gold, like a pint etc etc. The Rough Guide to Film is quoted in Wikipedia as describing Herman's style as "partly gritty, party feel-good socialist realist", which seems fair enough. However despite the clichés and the plot full of holes I found the the film entertaining enough, and it contains a very fine performance from Pete Postlethwaite as the band leader; even Stephen Tomkinson isn't too bad as his son. I saw the latter play Charley's Aunt on stage once; I've no idea what happened to Ewan McGregor who is also in it.
The theatrical version sticks closely to the film script. The snooker and Mr Chuckles at the children's party scenes happen off stage, but in the move away from realism the chance is taken to have a permanent stage presence of a picket from 'Women Against Pit Closures', an effective continual reminder of the context against which the comedy is being played out. The music, provided by the City of Bradford Brass band is also beautifully and smoothly integrated and the performances - with the possible exception of the baby, which cried so much that it had to be taken off stage - are very good. All of which results in a production which, despite the clichés and the plot full of holes, is entertaining enough.
But as well as entertaining, it also asks the audience a question that remains as valid today as it was at the time of the film and the events that it portrayed: which side are you on, boys? Which side are you on?
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