Full cast announced for Leeds Playhouse’s major new staging of Brassed Off

Leeds Playhouse announces the full cast for Brassed Off, a major new staging directed by Olivier Award‑nominated and UK Theatre Awards winner Amy Leach. Marking the 30th anniversary of Mark Herman’s iconic 1996 film, the production brings together an exceptional company of stage and screen performers. The production opens in the Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse from 18 June – 11 July.

Leading the cast is David Birrell as Danny, returning to Leeds Playhouse following his previous success in Wendy and Peter Pan and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. His recent credits include One Day: The Musical (Edinburgh, Lyceum Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Bolton Octagon) and Witness for the Prosecution (West End).

He is joined by Robin Morrissey as Phil, who returns to the Playhouse following his appearance in the Olivier Award‑nominated and UK Theatre Awards winning Animal Farm. His recent credits include Macbeth (Storyhouse) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Royal Exchange Manchester).

Maddie Hansen stars as Gloria, following appearances in Aladdin: The Rock and Roll Panto and Jack and the Beanstalk at Leeds City Varieties, while Frazer Hadfield plays Andy, having appeared as Nate in the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man and in a leading role in the comedy‑drama Frayed for Sky and HBO.

The production also features Wendy Albiston as Vera (Rivals, Seasons 1 and 2 for Disney+), Andy Cryer as Jim, whose credits include Noises Off (Stephen Joseph Theatre), alongside Ewen Cummins as Harry (Witness for the Prosecution, County Hall; White Christmas, Sheffield Theatres).

Danielle Henry appears as Sandra, with previous roles including Twelfth Night, A Christmas Carol and The Hypocrite for the RSC. Joining them is Alasdair Linn as Callum & Cover (Bark Bark, national tour; Bottled, Arts Depot) and Pauline Tomlin as Rita, whose credits include We Are Still Asafo (Theatre in Flow) and Chisholm for President (Southbank Centre).

The company is completed by ensemble members and covers Stacey Ghent (Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, Pins and Needles, Lyric Hammersmith, Theatre Royal Plymouth) and Pete Sowerby (A Christmas Carol, Rage Arts).

Adapted for the stage by Paul Allen, this powerful new production honours the heart, humour and grit that have made Brassed Off a beloved British classic, featuring live music performed on stage by two Yorkshire brass bands: Horbury Victoria Brass Band and Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band.

Four members of Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre will be joining the cast of Brassed Off in the roles of Shane and Melody. Oliver Bowman and Stuart Naylor, both members of the Senior Group, will share the role of Shane. They are joined by Aria Trijonyte, a participant in Leeds Playhouse Juniors Youth Theatre, and Maari Kent, who attends the satellite youth theatre programme delivered in partnership with RJC Dance in Chapeltown. Aria and Maari will share the role of Melody.

Director Amy Leach said: “Brassed Off is a wholeheartedly Northern celebration of the power of community and art, and I can’t think of a better company of actors to tell this story with. Everyone in the company has a personal connection to this well-loved story, be it through mining heritage, music or brass banding, and we have an array of brilliant actor-musicians in the company who will be playing alongside the excellent members of Horbury Victoria and Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Bands. I can’t wait to bring Brassed Off to life with our multi-talented adult company alongside the four brilliant young actors from the Playhouse Youth Theatre.”

Joining director Amy Leach on the creative team are Designer Katie Scott; Lighting Designer Jai Morjaria; Sound Designer John Biddle; Musical Director Jonathan Mitra; Audio Description Consultant Dan Parr (Hear the Picture); Audio Description Consultant Esther Irving; BSL Interpreter Dave Wycherley; Fight Director Kev McCurdy; Assistant Director Verity Richards; and Casting Director Lucy Casson CDG.

Set against the backdrop of a Yorkshire colliery town in the 1990s, Brassed Off remains a powerful, funny and deeply moving story about community, resilience and the life‑affirming power of music. The story follows the tight‑knit mining community of Grimley as they face the closure of their colliery and fight to keep their brass band and their dignity alive.

Combining live brass with a bold reimagining of the film’s themes for 2026, this production is a rousing tribute to solidarity, hope and the enduring power of community spirit.

Brassed Off plays at Leeds Playhouse 18 June – 11 July. Tickets are available here.