The Pitmen Painters

I really enjoyed this show.  Interesting and enjoyable even if the characters were a bit flat as Ben Brantley pointed out in his excellent review of the show.  The show deals with issues near and dear to Lee Hall's heart: Class struggles, coal miners, socialism, and transcending social norms.  If you have seen Billy Elliot then you will find the themes of The Pitmen Painters to be quite familiar.  Still, I enjoyed watching the effect the practice and appreciation of art had on this group of miners.  This isn't a show that will have you leaping to your feet at the end of it, but it will leaving you thinking about the importance of art. 

One of my favorite moments from the evening was overhearing the ancient MTC subscribers complaining during intermission about how they were only catching every third or fourth word of dialogue.  The characters are coal miners from Northern England, and they sound like it.  If you had trouble understanding the dialogue in Lee Hall's movie Billy Elliot then you might have a little trouble with this show.  I had to listen closely for the first few minutes, but quickly adjusted to the thick accents.  It is too bad it was so difficult for so many of the older members of the audience!

This is a show that I will keep in mind for guests who are looking to see a new play on Broadway (instead of a musical.)  It is not for everyone, but there is definitely an audience for it.


Want to see it for yourself?  Click here for ticket information.