Review: THE PITMEN PAINTERS, Crescent Theatre Birmingham

Written by Lee Hall (who also wrote Billy Elliot) and set between 1934 and 1947 in Ashington, Northumberland, The Pitmen Painters tells the real-life story of a group of miners and a dental mechanic who hire a professor from Newcastle University to teach them Art Appreciation in an evening class.

Unable to understand the concept, they instead learn to become painters. Within a few years, they are becoming friends with well-known artists and their work is in prestigious collections in London.  Celebrated throughout the British art world, they still work long hours down the mine every day.

The cast overall make a good attempt at the North Eastern accent and whilst the dialect feels a bit forced at times, the dry comedy is delivered well and raises many laughs from the audience.

Luke Plimmer, as Young Lad, appears to have a good connection with the text and Karen Leadbetter, as socialite Helen Sutherland, is a believable spinster who offers her wealth to help the group. 

Jessica Shannon, in the smaller role of Susan Parks, shows a Northern sassiness of the time to her no-nonsense character. Whilst the story is told well by the company overall, it does feel like more of an emotional connection could be made to the miner’s situation.

Directed by Alan K. Marshall, the scene changes, which are done by the actors themselves, are disjointed and long and would be better done in complete black out as we are forced to watch the actors out of character as they move items around in preparation for the next scene.

It is a worthy attempt at storytelling and is overall an enjoyable and informative performance. Sharing the miners struggles and their ability to improve themselves without changing who they are and staying true to their roots.

Enlightening and entertaining.

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

The Pitmen Painters plays at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham until 21 May, with tickets available here.