Pitmen Painters

Overview

From Tony award-winning writer Lee Hall, best known for Billy Elliot, comes the true story of a group of English miners whose after-work art classes reveal a wealth of hidden artistic talent. Overnight, the amateur artists find themselves propelled from the humble mines of the North East to a rich, intellectual art world.

With a wealthy patron particularly keen to take one of the artists under her wing, the star painter of the Ashington Group will be forced to choose between his working class roots and the lure of fame and success.

The Pitmen Painters is a humorous and arresting testament to the power of individual expression and collective spirit. The Times describes Lee Hall’s play as "ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see.”

Fortune Theatre’s 2010 production of The Pitmen Painters was named Production of the Year in the Dunedin Theatre Awards, with cast member John Glass, who joins the Auckland cast, winning best male performance of the year.

The Pitmen Painters plays in Q’s loft theatre from 16 November to 10 December. Projections of the original paintings bring this moving story to life for both art lovers and theatre fanatics. Like Billy Elliot, The Pitmen Painters is a funny and heart-warming tale that will charm audiences.