Thursday 16 June 2016

Preview: Pitman Painters at Sunderland Royalty Theatre






ROYALTY THEATRE TO PERFORM THE PITMEN PAINTERS

The Pitman Painters
Sunderland Royalty Theatre
Monday 20th – Saturday 25th June 2016

The Royalty Theatre will conclude their 2015/16 season with The Pitmen Painters.

Written by Newcastle-born playwright Lee Hall, whose successes include Billy Elliot, the play follows the true-life story of a group of Ashington miners in the 1930s who take an art appreciation class.  Their enthusiasm for the class leads them to become respected artists in their own right, with their works being sought by collectors.  But despite their success, they continue to work in the mine, day in, day out.

Director Caroline Chapman says, “Since directing an extract of the Pitman Painters at the Miners Hall, Durham two years ago, I was pleased to be asked to direct the full-length play here at the Royalty.  The play is full of passion for the miners, who come together for an art appreciation class. Life as a miner is so ingrained and becoming a famous painter seems another "class" away. Little do they know how famous their work will become and how their art will be such an historical record of life in the 30s and 40s.”

The play, which has been seen by audiences as far away as Canada and Argentina, in the Spanish adaptation Mineros, features established Royalty actors such as Anna Snell and David Farn, but also newer faces such as Kristian Colling and Matt McNamee.

The Pitmen Painters finishes a very busy season for the Royalty Theatre, whose staff would like to thank everyone who has supported their shows over the past twelve months.


Tickets:
Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366.



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