upcoming auditions

AUDITION NOTICE - for acting roles not band!

Brassed Off 

By Paul Allen

Adapted from the screenplay by Mark Herman

Directed by Vanessa Jensen – Chalkface, Things I Know to Be True, Twelve Angry Men, Rabbit Hole and Mr Bailey’s Minder

Melville Theatre are thrilled to be collaborating with Challenge Brass Band, under the direction of Blake Seglar, to present the play based on the 1996 hit film of the same name. 

Auditions – 29th and 30th November, 2025

Season – March 13th – 28th, 2026

Community Theatre and therefore unpaid. Membership of MTC required on accepting a role.

Rehearsals – Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7 – 10pm, Sunday, 10.30am – 2.30pm

Potentially a few extra rehearsals closer to time with band. 

All actors in the “stage band” have an open invitation to attend Challenge Brass Band rehearsals to observe how to play their instrument. 

Actors in the “Stage Band”  do not actually play, just appear to.

The Play

Grimley Colliery is set to close as the accountants say there’s more money in it shut than open, even after redundancy payments. It means 1200 job losses, a dying town and the loss of its brass band. But under the leadership of Danny, coughing with coal-dusted lungs, the band is somehow transformed into British champions with local lass Gloria whipping up the money needed to get them to the Albert Hall.

A heart-warming drama filled with heartbreak, hope and humour, and of course music!

Brassed Off contains adult themes – strong language, the implication that intimacy has occurred, and themes of suicide and death. 

Cast:

Set in Lancashire, northern English accents are required. 

DANNY, ex-miner, veteran conductor of Grimley Band, stage age 65+

PHIL, his son, miner and trombone player, stage age about 35 

SANDRA, Phil’s wife, mother of 4 kids, and sick of stale bread and no money, stage age 35

JIM, somewhat older miner and euphonium player, stage age 55 - 60

VERA, Jim’s wife. Similar age to Jim.

HARRY, Jim’s inseparable companion in pit and band: a big E flat bass player (tuba). Stage age 50 – 60

RITA, Harry’s Wife, similar age.

ANDY, a miner and tenor horn player, stage age, about 25.

GLORIA, newly returned to Grimley, an excellent Flugelhorn player, stage age about 25.

SHANE, son of Phil and Sandra, aged 8 in 1994 (when the play is set), but older now. Shane narrates the story and can be played by an older teenager or young adult. Must be able to convincingly play an 8 year old. 

ENSEMBLE

2 women, play nurses with a few lines, and also women on the picket line etc.

3 – 6 men, miners, bailiffs, suits. No lines but frequent stage time.