Brecon-based opera company Opera Box has joined the Grand Theatre Swansea for the production, which will tour also tour Wales next year.

The opera 'Tower' , which has been written by one of Wales's foremost composers Alun Hoddinott, tells the David and Goliath story of Tower Colliery near Hirwaun in the Cynon Valley.

Stars from the Royal Opera House will feature in the production

The miners made history during a triumphant march back to work in 1995 after using their life savings to buy the pit, saving it from closure.

"This is a marvellous opportunity to create work around real people and real situations," said Alun Hoddinott.

"The story of Tower Colliery is a great drama and its success shows that real heroes can still emerge."

The libretto has been written in both English and Welsh by TV and radio scriptwriter John Owen.

Opera Box director Brendan Wheatley said: "We're thrilled to be creating a major new opera acclaiming the achievement of Tower Colliery and the Welsh Culture."

At the coal face

A photo exhibition by Liz Barry called 'Behind The Coal Face' will be on show at the theatre.

Liz Barry spent months at the Tower Colliery working on the project.

As well as taking pictures of the pit head she spent a lot of time underground with the miners at the coal face.