Where there's muck...

Fishguard has seen a flurry of theatrical activity recently. Ten years ago the theatre was going be closed by the local authority, and a community group was formed to keep it running. It has survived and even flourished, on a mixture of popular films plus a more adventurous film society programme, some touring theatre and occasional local productions (including a regular Xmas panto), and more recently live streaming from the National Theatre and Covent Garden. Lately the local element has been boosted by the formation of a musical theatre society and the arrival in the community of a very energetic and talented director. 

Meanwhile in the adjoining town of Goodwick, the long established brass band has been enjoying a similar revival, led by a local boy who went off to music college and decided to bring his talents back home. They have been winning competitions, and he had a long standing dream of performing the play based on the film Brassed Off. So when the maestro met the impresaria, the deal was done. The band began practising the score immediately, the talking parts were cast over the summer and rehearsals began in September. In November the cast and band began working together, and over the last four nights (plus one matinee) the show hit the town, to full houses and standing ovations. It was a memorable experience, emotional and inspiring, and memorable for its camaraderie and humour. The director was out of action for two weeks at a late stage in rehearsals, but nothing it seemed could hold us back.

The story of Brassed Off is more bittersweet, and it's hard to avoid the cliche of 'triumph and tragedy' as the band finally reach the Albert Hall just as the pit that sustains the whole community closes down. What the play has in common with the experience of producing it is the necessity of solidarity, whether to achieve success or to endure failure. Luck helps too, and I had my lucky lump of coal from Zollverein (see previous blip) in the pocket of my overalls.

In extras, a scene from the after-party.