The Pitmen Painters - Duchess Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FOLLOWING successful seasons at Live Theatre, Newcastle, The National Theatre, on Broadway and on tour, Lee Hall’s The Pitmen Painters comes to the West End – to the Duchess Theatre – where it begins performances on October 5, 2011.
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. Even so, they continued to work in the mine.
Inspired by a book by William Feaver, The Pitmen Painters is described as a humorous, deeply moving and timely look at art, class and politics.
The Pitmen Painters is directed by Max Roberts. Many of the original National and Broadway company have remained with the show although casting for the West End production has yet to be confirmed.
Hall’s credits include the screenplay for Billy Elliot, which he adapted for the West End in 2005, winning an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. His plays also include Spoonface Steinberg (Ambassadors Theatre), Cooking with Elvis (Live Theatre, Assembly Rooms and West End), and an adaptation of Herman Heijerman’s The Good Hope (National Theatre).
Simon Gray’s Butley continues at the Duchess Theatre until August 27, 2011.
NB: The Pitmen Painters will visit Richmond Theatre from July 11 to July 16, 2011.