Review: The Pitmen Painters, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
The Pitmen Painters tells the true story of the Ashington Art Group, a group of miners brought together by a desire to improve themselves through a Workers' Educational Association appreciation of art class.
When their tutor realised it was impossible to 'teach' art appreciation to people who had never seen art, he instead encouraged them to learn about it by producing their own work, which attracted the attention of critics, academics and collectors and proved that once barriers are removed, talent spans all classes.
The Pitmen Painters is written by Lee Hall, who also wrote Billy Elliot. And, as in Billy Elliot, the socialist message is delivered with all the subtlety of a housebrick in the face.
But Hall's is the vision of Keir Hardie and Nye Bevan, not Blair and Miliband, and central to the plot is the idea that equality of access to culture and the arts is essential to a civilised and fair society.
In his programme notes Hall says: ". . . dumbing down is not a prerequisite of culture being more accessible. That is a lie perpetuated by those who want to sell us rubbish."
Except 'rubbish' is the toned down version of the word he actually used. But, as with the rest of the play, you know exactly what he means.
The show is in Shrewsbury until Saturday – we don't get the National Theatre here often, so make the most of it while you can.
By Ann Clarkson
