ROUSING brass band music will ring out through a Bolton theatre following a sell-out production of comedy drama Brassed Off.

Wingates Band, one of three bands chosen to appear in last year's stage version of the 1996 film, will return to the Octagon Theatre on Friday evening.

It promises to be an evening of pure entertainment, with the programme of music selected to demonstrate the versatility of the band and items ranging from opera to Queen.

The Westhoughton-based musicians will be reunited with professional actor Andrew Roberts-Palmer, who played Harry in Brassed Off, for An Evening With Wingates Band.

They are delighted to return to the theatre, following one of the most memorable chapters in the band’s long and colourful history, when they featured — to great acclaim — in the hit production last May and June.

David Kaye, president and trustee, said: "Brassed Off was so popular.

"Paul Andrews (Wingates Band musical director) has built in a segment which is evocative of last year, bringing back memories of the show.

"We've also got the services of one of the key actors for a cameo role."

Mr Roberts-Palmer played the energetic, stand-in conductor who led the Grimley Colliery Band to victory in the National Championship finals at London's Royal Albert Hall in the play.

He was one of the actors from the Touring Consortium Theatre Company which concluded its 2014 nationwide tour with a 31-performance run at the Octagon.

Mr Andrews is keeping the precise role of Mr Roberts-Palmer under wraps but he will feature in a segment of the wide-ranging musical programme which will incorporate five of the best-loved musical numbers from Brassed Off.

Founded in the middle of Queen Victoria’s reign, Wingates is one of the oldest of Britain’s brass bands.

Its national and international reputation results from a combination of factors, including numerous British National and Open Championship victories, 90 years of BBC radio and television broadcasts and four appearances before royalty.

Throughout 2015, Wingates will be celebrating another milestone — 100 years of recording — as the first Wingates gramophone records were made during the dark days of World War I.

A limited number of tickets for the concert, which starts at 7.30pm, are still available. Phone the Octagon Theatre box office on 01204 520661.

For anyone unable to attend this concert, a second opportunity to hear Bolton's premier brass band in action will be at the historic and atmospheric venue of Rivington Hall Barn on Wednesday, June 3, when the band will perform with The Houghton Weavers.

The 27th concert in the Folk and Brass series will start at 7.30pm, call 01204 696984.