The Pitmen Painters

(Potent Pause) Productions present the Auckland premiere of the internationally acclaimed The Pitmen Painters, opening 16 November at Q.

From Tony award-winning writer Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) comes the true story of a group of English miners whose after-work art classes reveal a wealth of hidden artistic talent. Overnight, the amateur artists find themselves propelled from the humble mines of the North East to a rich, intellectual art world.

With a wealthy patron particularly keen to take one of the artists under her wing, the star painter of the Ashington Group will be forced to choose between his working class roots and the lure of fame and success.

Featuring performances from a stellar cast including Elizabeth Hawthorne (Outrageous Fortune, Mary Stuart), Joseph Rye (Batman Begins, East Enders), Calum Gittins (The King’s Speech), Stephen Papps (Russian Snark), Edward Newborn (Krapp’s Last Tape), Geoff Snell (Finding Murdoch) and Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu (Chalk), The Pitmen Painters is a humorous and arresting testament to the power of individual expression and collective spirit. Would you leave behind the world you know for a chance at fame?

“Lee Hall’s play is ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see.” - The Times

Fortune Theatre’s 2010 production of The Pitmen Painters was named Production of the Year in the Dunedin Theatre Awards, with cast member John Glass, who joins the Auckland cast, winning best male performance of the year.

The Pitmen Painters plays in Q’s loft theatre from 16 November to 10 December. Projections of the original paintings bring this moving story to life for both art lovers and theatre fanatics. Like Billy Elliot, Lee Hall’s The Pitmen Painters is a funny and heart-warming tale that will charm audiences.

(Potent Pause) Productions‘ The Pitmen Painters plays at Q (305 Queen Street) from November 16 to December 10 (8pm on Tuesdays – Saturdays, 4pm on Sundays, no shows on Mondays). Tickets are available from qtheatre.co.nz or phone 09 309 771. Directed by Paul Gittins, starring Elizabeth Hawthorne, Joseph Rye, Edward Newborn, Calum Gittins, Joesphine Stewart-Tewhiu, John Glass, Stephen Papps and Geoff Snell. Set design by John Verryt, costumes by Kristin Sorenson and lighting by Nik Janiurek. For more information visit qtheatre.co.nz.