AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: One Big Blow - The Theatre, The Library, Oldham.

The Mineworkers' Championship in Blackpool... It doesn't get any bigger than this if you're in a colliery brass band in 1981. Wally, forty years in the pits, is a veteran on the cornet as well as the coalface. This year, alongside bandmates and brothers-in-coal Wack, Jock, Taff, Geordie and Stanley they're in with a shot. Unfortunately those four decades breathing coal dust might be about to scupper those plans in literal breathtaking fashion. Will Wally be able to play? What will they do if he can't? What will happen when the workers and management inevitable find themselves at odds?

'One Big Blow' kicks off with a quick bit of fourth-wall breaking exposition as Chris Grixti concisely brings us all up to speed with where we are and what's going on. Instantly setting the scene as well as the tone, an approach that could have been contrived is effortlessly charming and immediately makes the audience feel like they're part of the squad. Amongst a charismatic and effortlessly charming cast, Grixti deserves particular praise for the manner in which he lays the table. Skills that would put many a comedy host or compère to shame.

“To further confuse things... we all play multiple characters.” A frank confession that brought a surprisingly heavy sweat to your reviewer's brow.

Despite the light-hearted quip there was no confusion to be had at any point. In fact, 'One Big Blow' is a testimony to the creativity, ingenuity and sheer raw talent of every single person involved. A bare stage, no props beyond miners' helmets with lights, and no costumes beyond one change at the start and a minor change at the end. We effortlessly followed the band from the pit to the boardroom to the streets and even to Blackpool purely through their movement and some clever use of their own bodies as props.

Every member of the ensemble moved effortlessly between roles as the story unfolded, sometimes even swapping back and forth several times during a scene. Whether they were a group of lads hewing coal in the pit or the board of directors lounging in a sauna we were with them all the way. The chemistry between all six cast members was fantastic, providing as many laughs from their subtle interactions and occasional knocks on the fourth wall as the script. Equally when the time called for more serious tones these were handled magnificently. You really felt like you're part of their journey through good times and bad. In on the jokes and crushed by the hardships.

Written in 1981 by John Burrows, the script perfectly captures the mood of the time. The simmering tension between miners and management, particularly when it comes to the somewhat light-handed approach by supposed overseers the National Coal Board runs throughout. Funny without feeling like the humour is ever crowbarred in. Informative without ever feeling preachy. Shining a bright light on a subject that's often been driven underground, there's no doubt that folk will find themselves inspired to learn more once the play wraps up.

The music, written specifically for this play by former Flying Picket, Rick Lloyd, is the beating heart of the production. From the very outset the incredible songs and music, performed a capella in superb fashion by the cast, are an integral part of the story and the experience. Woven seamlessly into and between scenes they serve as narrator and soundtrack, once again bringing the audience along for the ride. Soulful in places, cheeky in others, frequently hilarious and never less than brilliant. My only complaint is that you'll likely find some of these songs popping into your heads unbidden for many weeks to come. There are certainly worse ear-worms to endure.

You may also find yourself wondering how the cast of a play about a brass band can perform as said band without a single actual brass instrument? The answer is, quite simply, brilliantly, and I'll say no more than that. The musical climax to 'One Big Blow' is a goosebumps moment that has to be experienced in person.

This was an amateur production, produced by Romiley Little Theatre, and the six ensemble cast members were: Chris Grixti, Simon Cove, Shaun Penton, Chesney Talbot, Adam Urey, Gareth Jones; and it was directed by Peter Wright.

Reviewer - Chris Brooker
on - 26.4.22