Smash-hit Ashington play takes theatre award

Posted by The Journal on Oct 29, 08 12:04 PM in News

IT'S been a huge hit with audiences in Newcastle and London and now home-grown play The Pitmen Painters has won a prestigious theatre award.

The newly-announced award by the Theatrical Management Association is the icing on the cake for Lee Hall's play, which is based on the real-life story of a group of Ashington miners who found fame in the art world in the 1930s.

the Live Theatre production fo the Pitmen Painters

It won the Best New Play category at the London ceremony where other winners included actress Brenda Blethyn, and producer Bill Kenwright whose special award for individual achievement was presented by Dame Judi Dench.

The Pitmen Painters was commissioned by Live Theatre where it premiered last year, reopening the Quayside venue after an extensive revamp.

Its earthy mix of art, politics, class and culture won it rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.

It had a second run there before heading to the National Theatre in London - where it will return for a second time from January 27.

And it's soon to be translated into German for a stint in Austria.

In his play, Newcastle- born Lee, who also wrote Billy Elliot, captures the humour and resilience of the miners who, failing to find anyone to teach them economics, agreed to be tutored
in art appreciation by Robert Lyon then took up paints themselves, depicting honest scenes of their everyday lives.

Oliver Kilbourn, portrayed in the play by Christopher Connel, became the most famous of them as the men made their mark on the highbrow world of art.

The Pitmen Painters was one of three plays shortlisted for Best New Play in the annual awards, which took place on Sunday, and Lee was presented with his award by actor Michael Maloney. And his fame - and that of the Ashington group - is set to spread still further as, in a joint venture between Live and the National Theatre, Lee has been in Austria, casting for a German version of his work.

He and director Max Roberts went to Vienna last week to push ahead plans to have the play translated into German and performed at Volkstheater in the Austrian capital next April.

Volkstheater means the people's theatre and the concept appeals to Lee.

He said: "It is important to bring theatre to all social classes.

"As a young boy growing up in the east end of Newcastle, I had no idea what a play was, let alone how you go about writing one, but I believe art should be accessible to everyone.

"There should be no boundaries and no limitations.

"I wanted to write plays that they could relate to.

"It must be accessible, something everyone can understand.

"People should not feel socially excluded."

For tickets to see The Pitmen Painters at the National Theatre, visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk or call (0207) 452-3000.

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