Groups band together for music and miners

"Brassed Off" at Oldham Coliseum, from left actors George Brockbanks, John Elkington, Richard Eastwood (partner at Pearson), Paul Barnhill and Howard Chadwick

OLDHAM Coliseum Theatre's Autumn-Winter 2016-17 season has kicked off with the return of a Northern classic.

Brassed Off, adapted from the 1996 film starring Pete Postlethwaite and Ewan McGregor, returns to the Coliseum by popular demand following smash hit runs in 2005 and 2008.

Richard Eastwood, partner at sponsors Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers, joined the cast at the dress rehearsal on Wednesday for a preview of the show ahead of opening night last night.

He said: "It's great to be able to support the theatre and help them stage amazing productions such as this.

"The play will appeal to young and old, those of us who remember that era and the film that followed, but also introduce it to the younger members of the local brass bands who will be playing on the night and it's wonderful that the sound of local brass will echo through the Coliseum.

"Oldham businesses need to give support where they can and at Pearsons we take our commitment to support local charities, local organisations and of course the Coliseum very seriously."

Kevin Shaw, artistic director and chief executive of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, said: "We're very grateful to the team from Pearson for their continued support of the work we do here at the Coliseum.

"The Coliseum strives to work closely with fellow businesses in our town to help provide the best service possible to the people of Oldham and further afield, whether that be on our stage, in local schools, or in the community."

Set in the fictional mining town of Grimley, Brassed Off follows the town's brass band and their conductor Danny's life-long ambition to lead them to the National Brass Band Competition at the Royal Albert Hall, despite the impending closure of the town's lifeblood Grimley pit.

The play features live music from prize-winning brass bands from the area: Delph Band, Diggle Band, The Oldham Band (Lees) and Boarshurst Silver Band.

The show runs until October 1. Tickets can be booked on 0161 624 2829 or at www.coliseum.org.uk.