Review: The Pitmen Painters, The Alhambra, Bradford

In 1934 a group of miners from the Ashington Workers Educational Association in Northumberland hired Robert Lyon, a lecturer at Armstrong College in Newcastle, to teach a course on art appreciation.
The Pitmen Painters.  Photo by Keith PattisonThe Pitmen Painters.  Photo by Keith Pattison
The Pitmen Painters. Photo by Keith Pattison

It quickly became apparent that the miners had some artistic abililty themselves and soon they were creating their own artworks, powerfully depicting aspects of their lives both above and below ground, and attracting the attention of critics and collectors alike.

Lee (Billy Elliot) Hall’s affecting, thought-provoking play is based on this remarkable true story and explores – with great humour, humanity and intelligence – the relationship between art, politics and class.

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The strong cast all put in excellent performances, but Philip Correia, in particular, shines as Oliver Kilbourn an intense young miner whose work speaks eloquently of the hardships of his own life and who eventually has a difficult moral decision to make.

The simple set – which is at various points, a meeting hall, gallery and stately home – works extremely well. Chairs and easels are moved into position by the actors, while images of the miners’ striking artwork are projected onto screens. Funny, moving and engaging throughout, this is an outstanding piece of theatre.

To April 20.