Pitmen Painters
Lee Hall
Pitmen Painters
In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favour of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Within a few years the most avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections; but every day they worked, as before, down the mine.
4.5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews
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Omniscore:
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| Location |
The National |
| Venue |
Lyttelton Theatre |
| Director |
Max Roberts |
| Cast |
Michael Hodgson, Ian Kelly, Brian Lonsdale, Lisa McGrillis Christopher Connel |
| From |
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| Until |
February 2010 |
| Box Office |
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In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favour of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Within a few years the most avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections; but every day they worked, as before, down the mine.
Book tickets for The Pitmen Painters now on at the Duchess Theatre.
Reviews
The Evening Standard
Nicholas de Jongh
“... it is at once amusing, tragic and revelatory, drawing class, politics and art into combative relationship.”
05/03/2011
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The Observer
Rachel Cooke
“The Pitmen Painters is extraordinary for all sorts of reasons, but chief among them is the fact that it manages to be both a great night out and gravely serious. It is a funny play that asks big questions about education, culture and the working classes without ever being patronising, stupid, boring or using the dread word 'inclusive'.”
08/02/2009
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The Times
Benedict Nightingale
“Lee Hall’s fine play, based on real-life events, involves Geordie miners who discover both longings and talents for art.”
24/01/2009
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The Financial Times
Sarah Hemming
“both a stirring political and touchingly humane piece of theatre”
07/02/2009
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