NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
NODA Review
As one would expect from the pen of the celebrated playwright Lee Hall, whose acclaimed play and film “Billy Elliot†was also set in the coalmines of Northumberland, “The Pitmen Painters†is a delightfully entertaining true story about a group of miners at Ashington Colliery, who decide to join an Art Appreciation evening class, with surprising results. But this was also a play about attitudes of class and the nature of art and its accessibility to the working classes that prevailed in England in the 1930’s, which was brought to the fore by the cleverly written script and provided some very thought-provoking moments.
As some light relief from their daily grind of working long hours down the pit, miners Oliver Kilbourn (Connor Hughes) and Jimmy Floyd (Mike Clarke) embark on an Art Appreciation evening class, organised by George Brown (Jem Deans), the trade union and local WEA representative. They are joined by Harry Wilson (Stuart Handysides), the local dentist and an unnamed young lad (Ollie Robinson), who’s on the dole. Initially Robert Lyon (Mark Edwards), the tutor hired from Newcastle University, uses slides to illustrate his talk about paintings by the great Masters, but the miners are unimpressed, having never visited an art gallery, although they are anxious to learn about what art means. So Robert Lyon hits on the idea of encouraging the men to produce their own works of art! This has varying degrees of success, and in time leads to them being recognised by some of the influential Art collectors of the time, including Helen Sutherland (Penny Deans), who arranges for their pictures to be included in important Art exhibitions around the country including London. Recognising the natural talent that young Oliver Kilbourn has as an artist, Helen Sutherland attempts to persuade him to become a full-time artist, offering him a stipend equal to that he earns at the pit. But his meeting with Ben Nicholson, a member of the celebrated St. Ives School of Painters and close associate of Helen, leads Oliver to question whether he should embrace this new opportunity, and leave his working class background behind, but his family roots and the comradeship between his mining pals prove too strong to let go.
Despite the apology expressed in his welcome by Jem Deans, the group’s chairman, for their “mangling†of the Geordie accent, Connor Hughes, Jem Deans, Mike Clarke, Stuart Handysides and Mark Edwards had all perfected a pretty good representation of the dialect! Sue Clarke, as Director, ensured they took every opportunity to use the many funny lines to good effect, particularly in Act 1, with great interaction between the characters. The standard of acting was exemplary and I must especially commend Mike Clarke, who at the last moment had agreed to take on the dual role of Jimmy Floyd and Ben Nicholson and played both such contracting characters, with passion and conviction, to full effect. Well done! Penny Dean well portrayed the bountiful P & O Shipping Line heiress; her disappointment at Oliver’s refusal to take up her offer quite convincing, whilst Molly Connolly gave a good and sparky performance as Susan Parks, the model engaged by Richard Lyon for a life class!!
The simple set of a typically run down and sparsely furnished room within the local community hall, complete with coal fired stove, was the background for the entire play, with the use of projected backdrops and minimal props to depict the various locations, including the home and garden of Helen Sutherland, which all worked well. This medium was also used to project the miners’ paintings during the evening class sessions, enabling the audience to also appreciate them, as they are being discussed by Richard Lyon, the tutor, and his students.
Suitable lighting and sound effects and costumes all added to a very enjoyable and engaging evening’s entertainment. Thank you, Much Hadham Drama Group, for another memorable performance.
Reviews of Great Expectations
NODA Review
Reviewed at St. Andrews Church, Much Hadham on Thursday 15 November 2018
Staging a production in a church is of course not a new concept but it can be tricky. Consideration has to be given as to how best the play can be presented without detracting from the spendour of the building itself. For the most part this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations worked well. There was some good acting and we could hear every word.
However, I did have a few issues with the set. It was obvious that a lot of attention had been given to getting this just right and I know the society prides itself on its lovely stage sets. In this instance though, the performing area did seem rather overdressed at times and somewhat at odds with its surroundings. Perhaps keeping things very simple with an open stage, a pared back set and a minimal number of props, embracing the fact that the actors were performing in a church rather than on stage, would have enabled the production to move along at a better pace. It might also have done away with the need for the impromptu curtains which I did find rather annoying.
That said, I did enjoy this production. The pace picked up in the second half and there were some good performances. Henry Vandyk as Young Pip and Connor Hughes as Adult Pip both played their parts well, as did Elliott Haggar as Adult Herbert Pocket. Unfortunately, I appear to have missed the appearance of Young Herbert. Those of us in the front couple of pews were, for the most part, unable to see the action taking place in the centre aisle, which was a shame.
Paul Winspear and Lisa Turpcu were well cast as Joe Gargery the blacksmith and Mrs Gargery (his wife and Pip’s sister). Both gave excellent performances but I would like to have seen Mrs Gargery look rather less pristine. Good performances also from Gerald Dale as Magwitch and Wizzy Farmer as the adult Estella. Miss Haversham was well played by Louise Reed, especially the death scene. Some leaping flames courtesy of the lighting guys would have made it even more realistic but that aside, this scene worked well. Well done to Philip Deans who stood in for Mark Edwards as Mr Pocket when he had to pull out at the last minute.
Projected scenery is becoming very popular and can be most effective. Just a pity it was, of necessity, so high up. Maybe the effect was better nearer the back of the church.
There were some nice musical interludes from the children during scene changes and the supporting cast all played their parts well.
Overall this was a good, nicely costumed production performed by a well rehearsed cast. Jenny King can be justifiably proud of her adaptation of this classic Dickens’ novel.
Thank you for inviting me.
Decia Ranger
NODA East
District 7”
Review published in the Much Hadham Parish Newsletter:
Well done to Jenny King and her team!
The very notion of turning nearly 600 pages of 19th century prose into a play, let alone one that could be performed by a village drama group in church, is not for the faint-hearted. However, Jenny King rose magnificently to the challenge, managing to produce something that retained the essentials of the Victorian story whilst making it easily grasped by the audience and within the competence of the all-age performers.
St Andrew’s with Holy Cross, was transformed! We enjoyed the whole theatrical experience: some excellent acting, effective stage props, projection, lighting and sound, all of which added greatly to the success of the evening. Who will ever forget the burning to death of Miss Haversham (Louise Reed), or the eerie tombstones where Pip (Henry Vandyk), first meets the convict, Magwitch (Gerald Dale)? The chorus of Victorian children, sang their way into our hearts, and it was good to see our favourite performers joined by some new and very capable blood.
A great many people put in a lot of work to bring this endeavour to fruition. Our expectations, following upon the success of A Christmas Carol, were high. We were not disappointed!
Review written by Sandra McAdam