“The Pitmen Painters”

Last night a few of us went to see “The Pitmen Painters”, another production in our recent “English-culture theatre spree”. The “pitmen” refers to miners in the ’30s who formed an arts collective later known as the Ashington Group. M and I loved how projections of the real-life works by these blue-collar painters were interspersed throughout the show: the authenticity, emotions, and subject (their local communities, mining) are incredible considering the men’s lack of technical training and limited exposure to the arts. The show also reminded me of the pleasure that comes from watching actors that have been performing for decades. In the youth culture we live in, opportunities to see seasoned artists perform in mainstream venues are rare. Watching the cast last night inspired me to think about longevity in the arts, commitment to a craft, and ageism in popular culture. Afterward, we explored the creative martini menu at Christopher’s, an American restaurant smack in the middle of London’s West End.

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