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The Pitmen Painters Reviews
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for anyone who loves art Review by: broadway girl, Dec 3, 2010 |
| The first act was captivating and left me anticipating greatness at intermission. The quick, smart script is totally engrossing for anyone who loves art. Unfortunately, the second act did not follow with a crescendo. Overall, it was a stimulating, thought provoking play. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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A Remarkable Play Review by: DoctorJoeE, Nov 30, 2010 |
"We are all stereotypes from a distance," says Mrs.Sutherland, the wealthy art patron who grew up poor. "But close up, we all have our own, unique stories." That, I think, is one of the two major themes of Pitmen Painters. The other is that art is not about the medium, or the technique, or even the artist; it's about the experience, and the feelings that experience generates, of interacting with art in all its various forms. That ... read more experience is unique for every individual, and it's what makes art so endlessly fascinating.
Lee Hall's excellent (and very funny) play, based on a true story, is about a group of uneducated British coal miners ("pitmen") who, beginning in the 1930s, enlisted the services of academics to teach them the rudiments of various disciplines. Their art instructor, Robert Lyon, quickly realized the futility of conducting a typical "art appreciation" class for men who had never heard of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, or Titian ("Gezundtheit!"). His brilliant solution was to hand them paint and brushes and ask them to create art of their own; and each week they met to discuss each others' work. The meetings continued for decades, and some of the paintings they created (a small selection is displayed in the theatre lobby) are extraordinary.
The play is about the pitmen and their relationship, but it is also about art itself, and how we all relate to it, for better or worse. I loved the scene in which Mrs. Sutherland proudly shows the men her newest acquisition, Ben Nicholson's "Circle in a Square." One of the miners delivers the all-too-common, endlessly annoying reaction to abstract art: "I could have done that!" And Mrs Sutherland delivers the perfect retort: "But you didn't!"
Pitmen Painters addresses important life questions for all of us. It's not perfect, of course; I found the whole socialism sub-plot distracting and irrelevant. Socialism was certainly popular for awhile in Britain after World War II, as the working classes strove to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the fascists they had fought and defeated -- but that's hardly relevant to the principal messages of the play. And Oliver Kilbourn's deep regret over his decision to refuse Sutherland's stipend offer is not conveyed nearly as well in the play as in the original book.
All the same, it is a remarkable production, well worth your time, and I recommend it enthusiastically.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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A STUNNER OF A PLAY! Review by: Heather, Nov 2, 2010 |
| Captivating from the moment the play started! It covered so many social issues of the time and knowing this was based on a true story gave it extra gravitas! Superb acting and there DEFINITELY was an interval! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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SIMPLY THE BEST Review by: PAWPOWER, Oct 31, 2010 |
| What an amazing production! This is a classic not to be missed. The humor laced with the seriousness of purpose make for an engaging piece of drama. The British cast is remarkable. This is definitely a must-see production for all theater lovers. |
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must see!
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Spouse/Partner
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Adults
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| 5 |
Review by: , Oct 10, 2010 |
| Honesty of the cast comes through, importance of the subject. Often the budget for the arts are cut in schools, this brings to the fore the importance of art to society. Superb play all around, Saturday there was a q & a after performance too, a bonus, just terrific. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Kids
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A Long, Intermissionless Bore Review by: Carol, Oct 9, 2010 |
While the main attraction of the show is that the playwright is the same as the engaging Billy Elliot's, that is not enough to present the derivative story. It is long and plodding. It suffers from lack of editing. The story is told over 1 1/2 hours that could easily be half that long. Broadway's latest penchant for keeping a captive audience by eliminating the intermission is tantamount to abuse and force-feeding its message.
The most ... read more interesting part of the evening is the resolution in which the audience finds out what ultimately happened to art and painting in the town. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Not to be missed! Review by: Grace, Manhattan, Oct 4, 2010 |
| A fabulous, heart warming play acted by a fine ensemble of actors! Not to be missed! One of the most enjoyable nights I've had at the theater in years. It is amazing to have learned that these actors have been performing this play for over three years together - it shows in every breath that they take! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 8 |
A very funny, spirit-lifting and heartwarming show. Review by: Joan, Aug 11, 2010 |
| I saw this show in its home setting of the Northeast of England. It is based on the artistic workers associations in the early 20th century and its themes of the indomitable spirit of miners and the creative seed within each one of us, irrespective of class or education, apply throughout the world. It also shows how down-to-earth working men try to capture the essence of existence, as opposed to accepting intellectual platitudes. The ... read more actors deliver the humour with energy and in the vernacular of the Northeast. I enjoyed the play so much, I saw it 3 times. I am now buying tickets for my son, who lives in New York, and will be interested to see how well it travels. Haway, the lads! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Anyone
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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