The Pitmen Painters
April 10, 2008
The Pitmen Painters
Venue: Live Theatre, Newcastle
Date Reviewed: 9th April, 2008
Newcastle’s Live Theatre has revived the Pitmen Painters (which was the play commissioned to reopen the theatre after a massive rebuild) and I am pleased to see it remains a five star production, which rightly sets off on tour to the National Theatre with its original cast after a short run at the Live.
Writer Lee Hall may immediately make people think of Billy Elliott but his new play is equally as warm and funny and this time set in the Northumberland town of Ashington.
Based on the true life story of a group of Ashington miners who learn to paint we are introduced to the characters, as they await their art tutor, who turns out not to be a Professor as expected. At first the characters do appear to be the typical stereotypes but as the play develops we learn more about the men and actually care about their future.
Max Roberts’ direction is straight forward and well balanced and during the scene changes we are constantly reminded of the collieries as we hear the sirens and the rattle of the cages as they go up and down the pit. The staging is simple and effective with the actual pitmen paintings being projected on three large screens at the back of the stage, which are also used to project the names of where scenes are taking place. The action moves from Ashington to London, with Newcastle Central Station, The Laing Art Gallery and Edinburgh all playing a vital part in the story.
This is truly an ensemble piece of work and the cast work like a well oiled machine, each having noticeably grown in to their role since the play was first presented. They ensure that every word and scene of this play is beautifully drawn and they make the most of Hall’s excellent play, making us laugh out loud one moment before tugging at the heart strings the next.
This revival allows Live Theatre to take a first class production to the National Theatre and I have no doubt it will become a TV play or feature film in the not too distant future and deservedly so.
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