MEMBERS of a brass band are gearing up to "blow their own trumpets" at a Chester theatre as they join a group of actors for the stage adaptation of a much loved British film which features the trials and tribulations the members of a colliery band as their pit is threatened with closure.

Members of The City of Chester Brass Band will joining the cast of Brassed Off, which is being staged by Tip Top Productions at The Forum Studio Theatre in Chester from Thursday, May 10, until Saturday, May 19, at 7.30pm with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday, May 12.

Featuring music by Trevor Jones and based on the highly successful and much loved film, the stage version has been adapted by Paul Allen from Mark Herman's original screen play and will be directed for Tip Top by Christine Dukes.

Set in Northern England,10 years on from the Miners Strikes of the mid 80s, the play tells the story of the Grimley Colliery Brass Band lead by their conductor Danny (John Lindop) who are struggling to carry on in the face of their pit being recommended for closure, and their determination to get to the finals of the National Championships at The Royal Albert Hall.

When Gloria (Laura Tayler-Black) who is charged with writing a report about the viability of the pit turns out to have hidden connections to the town and the band, things take an interesting turn, the battle for survival and the struggles to survive during the long hard strike re-surface leading to tension s within the band and the town itself. Can both the pit and the band be saved and will the band get to the Royal Albert Hall?

The cast of experienced actors on stage will be joined on stage for the production by members of The City of Chester Brass who will perform the iconic numbers in the show live at each perfomance.

Speaking about the band joining the cast, the play's director Christine Dukes said: "No staging of Brassed Off would be complete without the inclusion of a live brass band and Tip Tip are delighted that the cast will be joined live on stage by members of the very talented City Of Chester Brass Band to perform the memorable music which form such an integral part of the play."

Full details of Brassed Off and all other upcoming plays and events at The Forum Studio Theatre can be found at www.chestertheatre.co.uk where tickets can be booked online. Alternatively, contact the box office on 01244 341296.