Review - Brassed Off, The Garrick

DOES anyone remember, particularly in the 1980s, when they used to read out the numbers of jobs that had gone that week on the national TV news?

It made depressing listening, and the list seemed to go on and on and on.

But behind every unemployment statistic was a human being and we meet these human beings a decade later in Brassed Off, as the government starts closing the remaining coal mines.

If you want an analogy, closing a coal mine was rather like ripping the heart and lungs out of a community but, in Paul Allen's seminal and deeply affecting stage play, Danny, the dignified and decent brass band leader, is determined the colliery brass band will play on. A symbol of defiance and hope.

Brassed Off still moves me to tears and I've seen the stage show three times and the film six. Altrincham Garrick's production certainly pushes all the right buttons emotionally and although there are some heart wrenching scenes, there are also some hilarious ones to lift the spirits. A testament to people's ability to keep smiling when their world is falling apart around their ears.

The Garrick first staged this magnificent piece in 2005 and it's being revived as part of the theatre's 75th anniversary season. Apparently, the run is sold out but it's certainly worth contacting the box office, just in case they have returns. It may be a cliche, but this really is an emotional rollercoaster. You'll laugh, you'll cry and, during some scenes, you'll do both at the same time. The worst scene involves Danny's son, Phil, who finally reaches the end of his tether when he ends up losing everything. I still have to watch this through my fingers.

Performances from Terry Chandler's cast are oustanding and live music from the Glossop Old Band ups the emotional ante even more. A superb production. Rick Bowen * Until Saturday. The box office is on 0161 928 1677.