The hit 2014 film, starring Bill Nighy and Andrew Scott, is based on the true story of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) campaign during the lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the 1980s.
Director Matthew Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford, who worked on the original film, have reunited more than a decade later to develop the upcoming musical, which will be staged at the Dorfman Theatre in London this summer.
The National Theatre production stars Jhon Lumsden and Samuel Barnett as members of the unlikely alliance with the miners of South Wales – inspired by real activists who were part of the LGSM.
In an exclusive preview for the show, Matthew Woodyatt can be seen as striking miner Dai Donovan leading the ensemble as they sing one of the songs from the musical, titled You Stood By Me.
Director Warchus said: “One of the things about this story is that it’s so unlikely to be true. You can’t quite believe it.”
The sneak peek also shows the cast and production crew gathered at the former miner’s welfare hall in the Upper Swansea Valley – which was once a focal point for the LGSM – to meet with members of the community who inspired the film and musical.
Reflecting on this, Beresford, who has written the book and lyrics for the musical, said: “It’s wonderful to be here and hear everyone’s memories of the day when the gays invaded.”
Following a sold-out preview run at Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre, the production will make its debut on the London stage in June.
The musical is set to an original score with songs inspired by protest anthems, pop, rock, disco and the Welsh choral tradition, composed by Christopher Nightingale, John Cohen and DJ Walde.
The play has been described as “funny, fierce and filled with joy”, and will run at the Dorfman Theatre in London from June 11 to September 12 with tickets available at nationaltheatre.org.uk.