Grimethorpe Colliery band tribute to Brassed Off star Pete Postlethwaite
The world famous Grimethorpe Colliery brass band will pay tribute to the late Shropshire actor Pete Postlethwaite when they perform in the county later this month.
The band, which appeared with Mr Postlethwaite in the 1996 film Brassed Off, will play at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury on September 23.
And today a spokesman said they would use their appearance to pay tribute to Mr Postlethwaite – who remained a huge supporter until his death last year after a long battle against cancer.
In the film he played the conductor of a colliery brass band faced with the closure of their pit.
Andy Holmes, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band's flugal horn player and librarian, said Mr Postlethwaite remained in touch with the musicians over the years. He said they would be performing Danny Boy, after a moving scene in the film where the band plays the song as Mr Postlethwaite's character lies ill in hospital. They also performed that song at Mr Postlethwaite's memorial in London last year.
Mr Holmes said: "Pete remained a good friend of the band. After the film he came back and conducted the band on several occasions."
Mr Holmes said the last time he saw the actor was at a testimonal concert for cornet player Dave Barraclough, who was retiring.
The actor, who lived in Shropshire for two decades, starred in Hollywood blockbusters such as Inception and The Usual Suspects.
Tickets are available from the Box Office at Theatre Severn on (01743) 281281 and online at www.theatresevern.co.uk
