WOKINGHAM theatre’s April production is a must-see for art lovers and theatre goers alike.
The Pitmen Painters is well written, interesting, and funny, with plenty to learn and laugh about.
Written by Lee Hall, the play is based on the true story of a small group of Northumberland workers, who found expression for their lives and their stuggles, in paint.
In 1934 the miners began to meet regularly at their Ashington branch of the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA).
Their aim was to take evening classes in various subjects, and after a few trials, they decided to explore art appreciation.
Little did they know where it would lead them.
Director of the play Alan Long, said: “I saw this play at the National Theatre some years ago, and just loved it.
“The characters are fantastic, it’s very funny and it’s also very clever, asking some important questions about art, the universe, and politics.”
When painter and teacher Robert Lyon began to teach the group art history they were,at first, resistant.
They knew nothing about Michaelangelo’s Cistine Chapel, and cared even less about the relationship between Cupid and the Virgin Mary.
Then their tutor suggested they try painting for themselves.
To their astonishment, the men, who had spent much of their lives underground, and some of whom had never seen a painting in their lives, began gradually to unlock the meaning of art, and to express their own lives and struggles in paint.
Set in the North East of England, the Pitmen Painters presents a serious challenge for its actors.
“Getting the accents right has been something we’ve worked hard on,” said Alan.
“We have a natural Northeastern speaker in the cast, another who studied at Newcastle University, and a group of actors naturally good at learning dialects.
“But it is definitely one of the most difficult accents to learn.
“Keeping the pace of the dialogue up, while talking about highly intellectual things, in a Northumberland accent is quite a challenge.”
Although most of the miners had no formal art training, they began to create a collective body of paintings, and found that they could speak to a generation about their hopes and their fears.
Their work made an impression on the British art world, and is still on display in Woodhorn, Northumberland.
Unsurprisingly, the play is visually demanding, requiring multiple images on stage.
Martin Kempton’s set and lighting design cleverly recreates a mine entrance into which works of art are displayed on large screens.
“We’re using four projectors to fill the stage with paintings,” continued Alan.
“And one of our clever technicians has created a new piece of kit that can show all of them on the tech desk at the same time.”
‘We just want to look at a picture, and know what it means’ say the miners in the Pitmen Painters.
Audiences to Wokingham Theatre this month can do both, in an evening designed to enlighten, entertain, and inspire.
The Pitmen Painters can be seen from Thursday, April 18 through to Saturday, April 27, with the exception of Sunday.
Doors open at 7.45pm, with tickets available for £16.
With fewer than 80 tickets now remaining for the run, audiences would be wise to book quickly.
For tickets and information, call the box office on: 0118 978 5363, or visit: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
