Brassed Off at Leeds Playhouse Review
Brassed Off at Leeds Playhouse production image. Photo by Kirsten McTernan
Written by Joe for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
“How much is my life worth?” - Danny
Well? How much? The miners working in Grimley pit are offered £23,000 (£49,927.24 in today’s money) for what is not just a job, it’s their livelihood.
Leeds Playhouse’s production of Brassed Off manages to show the gritty reality of the communities affected by the mining closures, whilst simultaneously showcasing something rarely seen in that situation: Hope. Not necessarily for the future, but for people. An intensely dramatic storyline of Grimley Mine, a fictional mine based on the true story of Grimethorpe Colliery Band competing in the National Championship in 1992.
Amy Leach’s slick direction allows the true heroes to shine - the people. The talented cast is able to fill out the world in a way that makes it real. This isn’t some poverty porn sample of “int it ‘ard bein’ northern!”. They are real people whom I can recognise, and it’s refreshing to see.
Musically, Brassed Off is note-perfect. I am not normally one for brass band music, but it was pitched so well that I found it surprisingly moving. Having a real live brass band, though admittedly it would be very disappointing if you didn’t in this show, added so much, also seeing the actor-musicians really play helped embolden them to us. No miming in sight here. The music gives us a lovely juxtaposition of the awful situation these hard-working, loyal people have been put in. Revealing that out of tragedy, there can still be beauty.
The dynamic staging created almost a whole town, all inside one theatre. Their use of the space helped keep everything moving and the 2 hour 50 run time fell away faster than can happen elsewhere. A particular highlight was the moving parts of the mine. Having a physical representation of the mine on stage was perfect, and I wept when that stopped spinning. Beautiful.
All the cast were great, but I feel I should highlight one standout performance. David Birrell’s pinpoint performance as Danny was something else. The gravitas and the way he held that stage, even when surrounded by a literal brass band, is something that cannot be taught. Either you have it, or you don’t, and he does in spades. Following Pete Poslethwaite in this role is not to be trifled with, but he did so with gusto.
I was asked to try out the Audio Description, which, as someone with a low level of sight loss, I have always wanted to try. It was different as they had people doing it in character rather than a neutral voice; it certainly made it more immersive. I have nothing to compare it to, but I really enjoyed it. I don’t know if it was because it was pre-recorded rather than live, but there were quite a few issues with timing. I definitely think it enhanced the show. I suggest that anyone considering using audio description do so, as it will only be good for the community and enable them to access the theatre.
A wonderful piece of theatre that made me bawl my eyes out throughout, but left me feeling very grateful for my own community of people, helping to keep us all together in an ever-divisive world.
Brassed Off plays at Leeds Playhouse until 11 July 2026
★★★★★
