National Theatre

The Pitmen Painters

by Lee Hall
inspired by a book by William Feaver

WINNER, BEST PLAY
Evening Standard Awards 

A co-production between Live Theatre, Newcastle and the National Theatre.

‘The Pitmen Painters, in Max Roberts’ perfectly pitched and acted production, manages to be tragic, funny and illuminating in one fell swoop of energy.’
5 stars 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

Read recent press articles about playwright Lee Hall and the themes explored within the show.

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.

Lee Hall’s new play is a humorous, deeply moving and timely look at art, class and politics.

Following sell-out seasons at Live Theatre Newcastle and the National Theatre, the award-winning play returns for a limited run of 24 performances before a UK tour.