Brassed Off @ 30

Brassed Off @ 30
Friday 2nd October
Royal Albert Hall

As noted several times during my commentary of the 2026 Proms, I had been looking forward to getting back to the RAH, the venue that my long-time guitar idol Eric Clapton likened to his front room. I fully share his penchant for the venue, and was happy to be back this Friday night, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Brassed Off: the British film I had only watched for the first time a few years ago, after being put onto it by a tour guide at the Piece Hall in Halifax. My affinity for the film thus increased after making the acquaintance of a man who played trombone for the Horbury Victoria Band for over fifty years, and whose funeral service, I am sorry to say, I attended just last Tuesday. A fitting goodbye tribute though, alas.

The film was preceded by an on-stage Q&A with a handful of the original cast and crew, led by Jim Carter (Harry in the film, who played the Euphonium), and joined by the one-and-only Tara Fitzgerald, Stephen Tomkinson, Melanie Hill, et al.
    Some insightful thoughts were shared, one revelation (not so suprising) being that the final Royal Albert Hall scenes (where Pete Postlethwaite gave the powerful monologue at the end), where not actually filmed at he RAH at all, but rather at the Birmingham Town Hall, which filled in for the interior shots.

We were then joined by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who play along to the film, which has been stripped of its original soundtrack. 

There were a smattering of assorted sting instruments behind the band, who are there to assist with some of the soundtrack, and are particularly present in some of the more emotional scenes. I hear a man behind me moan, 'I haven't come to see an orchestra, I've come to see a brass band!'
    'Well, you know where the door is then...' I did not say to him.

Easy to forget the band is there on the stage, they do such a flawless job of synching with the film. We the audience have to remind ourselves to applaud them after the big numbers. But it is also nice to watch the film again; one of those where you find something new with every watch.

 

There is a rousing William Tell when demanded by the film, and I am pleased that the band treat us to a reprise as part of the final encore. Brilliant. The original cast adorn the stage for the final credits - so nice to see.

And for my friend Anthony Wood - Tony, Woody, Professor - I raise a metaphorical glass.