In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favor 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.
What Is the Story of The Pitmen Painters?
Lee Hall’s new drama tells the true story of a group of miners in Newcastle, England, in the 1930s who discover a passion for painting and become celebrated artists in their own right. The play begins as the miners, who’ve already spent 12 hours underground in the “pit,” gather for an art appreciation class taught by a visiting professor. Stymied by an attempt to engage his pupils with photos of famous paintings none of them have ever heard of, the teacher gets the bright idea to let the miners learn by doing. The results are spectacular: The so-called Ashington Group becomes the toast of London, attracting patrons and gallery shows. Conflict looms when the most talented artist, Oliver Kilbourn, is offered a weekly stipend by a wealthy collector. Will he leave the mines and pursue his passion full-time?
"The Pitmen Painters has much of importance to say about the nature of art. Lee Hall, who infuses the proceedings with several highly amusing episodes, renders his characters in vivid strokes that never succumb to caricature. Expertly acted by the ensemble and evocatively directed by Max Roberts, the production also gains tremendous impact from its showcasing of re-creations of the miners' actual artworks."
The Hollywood Reporter
Frank Scheck
"An entertaining and touching piece of entertainment that is intelligent, poignant and thought-provoking."
The Wall Street Journal
Terry Teachout
"Lee Hall's play has been given an assured staging by Max Roberts that is crisp and clean. There are uniformly stellar performances from the terrific cast."
New York Daily News
Joe Dziemianowicz
""Broadway already has a feel good - make that a feel great - hit in The Pitmen Painters. Scribe Lee Hall draws on the same inspirational themes that served him so well in Billy Elliot with this heartbreakingly funny play.... Everything about this show, from the depressingly bare union hall where the miners meet for their weekly classes to the rough regional dialect with which they assault the tender ears of their upper-class instructor, says: This is real. This is life." "
Variety
Marilyn Stasio
"“A priceless piece of theater. The superlative ‘painters’ of this astonishing production are phenomenal talents. Lee Hall’s brilliant script captures truly authentic voices in all their prickly, naive glory. Under the impeccable direction of Max Roberts, this exceptional ensemble has managed to polish the play to near perfection. The Pitmen Painters is a joy to watch.”"
NY1
Roma Torre