AN ACTOR who very much has brass in her blood has taken on a leading role in a new production of Brassed Off.

Hannah Woodward, who grew up in Kirkbymoorside, is playing Gloria in the much-loved modern classic at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) in August.

A former pupil at Ryedale School in Nawton, between the ages of seven and 18, Hannah went to the Sarah-Louise Ashworth School of Dance in Kirkbymoorside where her passion for theatre and dance blossomed, and she was inspired to pursue it as a career.

Hannah said: "I was a regular in school productions and also appeared in local productions at the Kirk Theatre in Pickering as well as playing in my local brass band, the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band. I was a member of the senior band from 2010 to 2017. I then left to study Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at Bird College in Sidcup, Kent.

"I started playing the cornet as soon as I grew my two front teeth. Then, in my last few years in Kirkbymoorside before leaving for college in 2017, I moved onto flugelhorn – the instrument I play in this production of Brassed Off.

Hannah said she had been taught by some amazing teachers from the band.

"These included my grandad, John Woodward, conductor of the band from 1992 to 2017, my mum, Sarah Woodward, who took over from my grandad and still conducts now -she’s just been nominated for the Brass Band Conductor Award in the Brass Band England Awards and the late Les Maw, BEM, who was the conductor of the band before my grandad for 36 years and continued to give me lessons until his final few days.

"I have to thank these teachers, as well as lots of other influential players who were home-grown from the band, for making me the player I am today. Without the band’s fantastic free tuition system, I wouldn’t have had the career I’ve had so far.

"To say it’s a family affair is very much an understatement! Every member of the Woodward family has been involved in Kirkbymoorside Band at some point in their life. This includes my mum’s dad, David Wakeley from Malton, who plays percussion still to this day!

"Kirkbymoorside Brass Band is deep rooted within my family history, and I feel so proud to be able to tell a story about something that means so much to us."

Hannah said graduating during the pandemic in 2020 was a scary time to be in the industry.

"I decided to stay in London ready for the theatres to reopen. Once they did, I am grateful to say I have worked in a variety of productions ranging from workshop projects to pantomimes to a musical version of Zorro.

"I’m thrilled to be in this production of Brassed Off. For someone of my background, Gloria is most definitely a bucket list role. "

Brassed Off is a co-production with Theatre by the Lake in Keswick and the Octagon Theatre Bolton.

Adapted for the stage by Paul Allen from the screenplay by Bridlington-born Mark Herman, who also directed the smash hit 1996 film, it is directed by Theatre by the Lake's Artistic Director, Liz Stevenson.

A talented company of ten including several actor-musicians will perform this new production full of grit, heart and northern humour: Daneka Etchells, Maxine Finch, Joey Hickman, Joanna Holden, Matt Ian Kelly, Greg Patmore, Russell Richardson, Barney Taylor, Andrew Turner as well as Hannah.

It’s 1994, ten years after the miners’ strike, and the tight-knit mining community of Grimley, Yorkshire, are fighting to keep their colliery open. Meanwhile, revered band leader Danny battles to keep his dispirited band of brass-playing miners together with the dream of qualifying for the National Championships at London’s Royal Albert Hall. When the uncertainty around the pit’s future becomes too much for the band members, loyalty is tested, pressure mounts and the community begins to break apart. With their whole way of life at stake, can the band find a way to play on?

Liz Stevenson says: “We’re thrilled to collaborate once more with co-producers Octagon Theatre Bolton and the Stephen Joseph Theatre on this dynamic in-the-round production. It’s a timely moment to present this iconic play, 30 years after the 1984 miners’ strike. Our production looks back on the battles of this close-knit mining community, asking: what has changed? And what does this play mean to us today? We’ve assembled an incredible team to deliver a moving theatrical experience that celebrates the resilience of communities and the transformative power of music."

Brassed Off can be seen at the SJT in Scarborough from Friday, August 2, to Saturday, August 31. Tickets are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com