Ten years ago a movie took to the cinema screens putting Wales, and the plight of striking miners and families front and centre. It’s fair to say the film is a bit of a modern classic, with an incredible cast.
Now, the movie is to get a special screening at Swansea Arena next month. PRIDE: FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA – 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL brings the unique 80’s and Welsh inspired soundtrack of the 2014 film to life, just 20 miles away from the little mining village where it all happened 40 years ago.
The production will feature nearly 100 musicians, including THE ALTERNATIVE ORCHESTRA, and renown brass and TREDEGAR TOWN BAND own Band, who feature on the original film soundtrack; along with local choirs RECHOIR, SOUTH WALES GAY MEN’S CHORUS, THE ABBEY PLAYERS and THE MORRISTON ORPHEUS MALE CHOIR, ensuring the performance will be a triumph of Welsh music.
The movie (and real story) is set in the summer of 1984 – Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is on strike. At the Gay Pride March in London, a group of gay and lesbian activists decides to raise money to support the families of the striking miners. But there is a problem. The Union seems embarrassed to receive their support.
But the activists are not deterred. They decide to ignore the Union and go direct to the miners. They identify a mining village in deepest Wales and set off in a mini bus to make their donation in person. And so begins the extraordinary story of two seemingly alien communities who form a surprising and ultimately triumphant partnership.
Experience this iconic film as you’ve never seen (and heard) it before!
Conductor of The Alternative Orchestra, Nathan Jones told us….
“Pride with Live Orchestra is an incredible opportunity to continue sharing a really important Welsh story. The music is an exciting hybrid of Welsh traditions such as brass bands, choirs and harps, merged with a unique 80’s flare composed by Christopher Nightingale. The performance will give audiences the opportunity to relive or experience for the first time this complex, challenging but joyous true story, set in a defining era for both the mining communities of Wales and the LGBT community across the UK. I can’t wait!”
With the HIV epidemic featuring in the lives of many of the film’s characters, the one-off performance is partnered with HIV charity the TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST in their fight to end new cases of HIV in the UK by 2030.
The Alternative Orchestra is an inclusive, not-for-profit orchestra showcasing queer talent. Based in Wales, they have been wowing audiences with their unique take on instrumental and vocal music since 2020 with gigs including “The Alternative Cabaret: 00’s Pop Queens” and “Pride Playlist”. We’ve seen them perform a few times and believe us, they are fantastic live.
Whether you’re a fan of the music, movie, story or want to see it all come together in one special evening, this really is a show not to be missed.
PRIDE: FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA – 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL gets to Swansea Arena on Friday 25th October. Tickets, which start at £36.85 are available HERE.
