The Pitmen Painters
at the Duchess Theatre
by Lee Hall
Inspired by a book by William Feaver
FIVE STARS
Evening Standard, Daily Express, Mail on Sunday, Sunday Express
Winner of the Evening Standard Award for Best New Play
'Lee Hall's superb play is at last getting the West End run it so richly deserves... richly funny, deeply moving and continuously entertaining.' Daily Telegraph, 12 October 2011
‘The Pitmen Painters, in Max Roberts’ perfectly pitched and acted production, manages to be tragic, funny and illuminating in one fell swoop of energy.’ Evening Standard
‘Breathtaking in its scope, Lee Hall’s remarkable play provides a fascinating debate about art and socialism.’ Guardian
‘Lee Hall’s new play and Max Roberts’ sublime production are ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see.’ The Times
‘A wonderful piece of theatre: comic, sad and stirring in the same breath’ Financial Times
Following celebrated seasons at the National Theatre and on Broadway, Lee Hall’s The Pitmen Painters will at last enjoy a West End season, opening at the Duchess Theatre on Wednesday 5 October.
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 – prolifically. Within a few years avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collectors; but every day they continued to work, as before, down the mine…
The Pitmen Painters is highly amusing, deeply moving and always entertaining as it examines the lives of a group of ordinary men who do extraordinary things.
Access: To discuss access requirements call 0844 482 9677
Age limit: 10+
Bill Kenwright presents the Live Theatre Newcastle and National Theatre co-production of The Pitmen Painters.
Theatre location:
Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street, London, United Kingdom, WC2B 5LA
Getting There:
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden (250m)
Bus Routes: 1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77A, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341
Nearest Train: Charing Cross (625m)
Parking: Single yellow lines in Russell Street. NCP in Drury Lane. Taxi rank at Covent Garden Piazza end of Russell Street.
