THE play of the film has one distinct advantage over writer-director Mark Herman’s admirable movie – a live brass band.

There is nothing quite like the rousing sound of brass echoing around the auditorium to stir the emotions and underline the power of Paul Allen’s adaptation.

Director Damian Cruden had a big success with Brassed Off a decade ago and looks likely to repeat that in a production that marks the 30th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike.

Two things hold the Grimley community together – the pit and the band. When the former faces closure, the latter’s future is in doubt too. The play focuses on half a dozen of those affected; family men fighting to put bread on the table and pay their band subs.

The script keeps it grim and grimy, but the desperate situation is undercut with the sort of rough, natural humour that often accompanies heartache and tragedy.

The women, too, are shown playing their part in supporting their men at home and on the picket line as Luke Adamson’s Shane guides us through life in the shadow of the pit.

Clara Darcy’s flugelhornplaying Gloria offers another view of things, exposed as “management” as she climbs into bed (literally in the case of James Robinson’s Andy) with the miners’ cause.

And there’s conductor Danny (John McArdle), a sick man determined not to let anything stand in the way of his band doing the community proud in the championships.

Cruden’s production was still a little rough round the edges on press night, not quite achieving the emotional wallop the play is capable of delivering. But it is still very good and as the tour continues it is going to get even better.

  • Until March 1. Call 01904- 623568 or go to yorktheatre royal.co.uk Darlington Civic Theatre, March 18 to 22. Call 01325-486555 or go to darlingtoncivic.co.uk