How Brassed Off is being transplanted to a Fife mining town

Now, Lochgelly Band is to take to the stage in Edinburgh’s Festival Fringe – to star in a unique production of Brassed Off transplanted from the Yorkshire Dales to the coalfields of Fife.

The band is to work with Edinburgh based community theatre group Leitheatre on the Scotland-based production of the famous 1996 film featuring Pete Postlethwaite.

And in an example of art imitating life, Lochgelly is to mirror the story of the fictional band in Brassed Off when they compete in the UK National Brass Band Championships final just weeks after finishing their Fringe run.

Lynsey Mcilwraith, secretary of Lochgelly Band, said: “Brassed Off is every brass band’s favourite film, I know it word for word and I think you'd be hard pushed to find a brass band member who hasn't seen it.

“When we were asked to join with Leitheatre for this production we were excited, but words can’t describe how we felt when we found out it was to be set in Fife. Obviously the film is set in Yorkshire and a lot of the biggest bands in the world are from there, but sometimes people forget how big and how important mining was to Fife.”

She said the Fife mining community had originally boasted more than 20 bands, however only six are still in operation today.

She said: “Lochgelly used to have two or three itself. To have Fife recognised as being important for the mining history of the UK is really good and we were so chuffed to be asked.”

She said the band had committed to the Fringe show before qualifying for the national finals, which take place in the York Barbican in September.

She said: “Brassed Off tells the story of a band from a mining community who battle to go to a local contest to then qualify for the national contest and we’re now doing exactly that. I couldn’t believe it.”

Ten members of the band will perform alongside actors in the play, who have been coached in holding their instruments by the band.

“It’s going to be quite a noise on stage,” said Ms Mcilwraith.

Susan Duffy of Leitheatre, who is directing the play, grew up in a Fife mining community.

“When we decided to put on Brassed Off in our 43rd year at the Fringe, I was determined that we would highlight the relevance of the original film to Fife,” she said.

“Like Yorkshire, the closure of mines had a devastating effect on communities. And like Yorkshire, we have our brass bands. But setting it in Fife without a Fife brass band wouldn’t have felt right, so we were delighted when Lochgelly Band agreed to work with us.

“It has been a labour of love for me. I was born and brought up in Kelty, the granddaughter of a miner, so being able to bring the spirit of Brassed Off, and the traditions of community and solidarity of Fife to the Fringe is a dream come true.”

Leitheatre, which has been running since 1946, has no connection to the Leith Theatre building. It changed its name from Kirkgate Church Dramatic Society to Leiththeatre in 1973, months before the building then known as Leith Town Hall renamed itself Leith Theatre. Mark Bonnar is the honorary president of the club, where the Celebrity Traitors star began his acting career as the back end of a pantomime cow.

Brassed Off will be performed at Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre from 8 to 22 August.