We went to see The Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall at the National Theatre last night. It was a marvellous evening out and a very entertaining and incidentally educational production.
The story is based on real events that occurred from 1934 onwards. A group of miners, pitmen, from the town of Ashington in Northumberland in the North East of England. Having completed a course studying evolution the miners decided to study art appreciation. To this end they hired Robert Lyon as their tutor. After a few false starts Lyon decided to get the pitmen to learn about art by actually creating some.
This was an inspired move and served to bring the men in the class to fame. The Ashington Group as they became known was formed around 1936 and gradually became a focus of interest for the art establishment and wider public.
The play charts the journey from obscurity to fame in a humorous and light-hearted way. There are some poignant moments which serve to bring home the way the mens lives have been affected.
The play is directed sensitively by Max Roberts and there is a real sense of cohesion amongst the players. Ian Kelly and Christopher Connel lead an excellent cast. The set design is simple, as you would expect from a performance in the Lyttleton theatre.
The great news for anyone travelling to New York is that The Pitmen Painters is coming to Broadway soon.
Cast & Credits
ashingtongroup.co.uk
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