A FUNNY, feel-good moving tale of a group of ordinary men who achieved extraordinary things will lift spirits at the Oldham Coliseum in the New Year
‘The Pitmen Painters’ is based on the true story of The Ashington Group of Northumberland miners who in 1934 employed Robert Lyon, master of Painting at Kings College Newcastle, to teach an evening class in Art Appreciation.
Lectures on the Old Masters from a posh academic were lost on the pitmen and so instead Lyon taught them to paint, with amazing results.
Lee Hall’s play – inspired by a book by William Feaver – tells of the hopes, dreams, determination and camaraderie of these miners, who worked down the pit until they retired.
Celebrated throughout the art world, this is a tale about friends who accidentally became a working class phenomenon, having the time of their lives.
‘The Pitmen Painters’ premiered at the Live Theatre Newcastle in 2007 with a sell-out run before embarking on a run at The National Theatre, UK tours and a transfer to Broadway.
Lee Hall is best known as the writer of Billy Elliot – both the hit film and the West End musical – and the show is directed by Kevin Shaw.
‘The Pitmen Painters’ runs at Oldham Coliseum Theatre from Friday 5 – Saturday 27 February. Tickets can be booked by calling the Box Office on 0161 624 2829 or at www.coliseum.org.uk
The Ashington Group paintings can be seen at Woodhorn Museum near Ashington, Northumberland. Find out more online: www.ashingtongroup.co.uk/
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