To mark the centenary of Armistice Day this November, Sasha Regan directs Benjamin Till’s musical at the Union Theatre.
Playing at the venue from the 31st October, the musical features a book, music and lyrics by Benjamin Till, with additional lyrics by Nathan Taylor and Sir Arnold Wesker and is based on true stories set between Leeds and the frontline.
Set during the First World War, Brass tells the story of a group of men from an amateur Leeds-based brass band who enlist to fight as part of the Leeds Pals regiment. They leave behind their wives and sweethearts who are left to pick up the pieces in the munitions factory. The women learn to play the instruments their brave men have left in the hope that one day they can play triumphantly to them on their return from war.
The musical was originally commissioned by the National Youth Music Theatre, with the original production taking place at the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall winning the ‘Best Musical’ in the 2014 UK Theatre Awards. In 2016 the production transferred to the Hackney Empire for a short run of 3 performances.
Now it returns to London in a new production which is set to star: Lucy Aiston
Joe Douglass,Tamsin Dowsett, Hannah Francis-Baker, Adam George-Smith
Emma Harrold, Alistair Hoyle, Maison Kelley, Sam Kipling, Rosa Lennox
Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Michael Martin, Matthew Peter-Carter, Jack Reitman
Samantha Richards and Lawrence Smith.
The production will feature musical direction by Henry Brennan, lighting by Matthew Swithinbank, set design byMc Voy Design and is produced by Union Creatives Ltd.
Brass will play at the Union Theatre from the 31st October until the 24th November. For more information visit: http://www.uniontheatre.biz/brass.html