The Pitmen Painters

As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot” was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters” is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results.  But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.

As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative.  They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole.  Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means.   So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art!  This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London.  Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit.  But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.

Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling” of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Ollie Robinson had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect!   Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters.  The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contrasting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect.  Well done!   Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful  P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!

The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove,  was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well.  This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.

Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment.  Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.

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