Autumn '24 and Spring '25 Season
Overview
Following a sell out run in 2016, Eliot Smith's most popular work, PITMAN returns.
To mark the 90th anniversary of the Ashington Group and 40 years since the year-long miners’ strike began, when many women rallied behind family members to save the mines, jobs and communities, Eliot Smith Dance proudly presents Eliot Smith’s PITMAN.
PITMAN tells the simple but inspiring real life story of a group of miners who with no formal artistic training, depicted their daily lives in a series of paintings which have become celebrated and revered in the art world, as well as providing an important visual commentary for social historians.
With intimate solos, duets and dramatic ensemble dancing the work explores the hopes, dreams and determination of the Ashington Group also known famously as the Pitmen Painters.
'WHEN THOSE MINERS FIRST PUT THEIR BRUSHES IN A POT OF PAINT THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD DREAMT HOW MANY RIPPLES THEY WOULD HAVE MADE IN THE WORLD OF ART, TONIGHT'S STUNNING PERFORMANCE BEING ONE OF THOSE RIPPLES'
Relative of Fred Laidler, Pitmen Painter
Autumn '24 Performances
Spring '25 Performances
ASHINGTON 01 FEBRUARY
Woodhorn Museum, NE63 9YF
Relaxed Performance
BARNARD CASTLE 06 FEBRUARY
The Bowes Museum, NE63 9YF
WARKWORTH 08 FEBRUARY
Warkworth Memorial Hall, NE65 0UN
NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA 19 FEBRUARY
Newbiggin Maritime Centre, NE64 6DB
NEWCASTLE 20 FEBRUARY
Gosforth Civic Theatre, NE3 3HD
BERWICK UPON TWEED 21 FEBRUARY
The Maltings, TD15 1AJ
Get Involved
Choose Your Favourite Ashington Group Painting into Dance!
With the kind permission of the Ashington Group Trustees, North East choreographer Eliot Smith has chosen three paintings from the Ashington Group collection and is asking you to vote for your favourite. The painting with the most votes will be choreographed and complemented by a compelling musical composition by Adam Johnson as part of the upcoming performance of 'PITMAN'.
Voting closes 23:59 on Sunday 08 September 2024.
To vote online click here.
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Get access to PITMAN videos, unique footage and a sneak peek behind the scenes
Booking Enquiries
For bookings and enquiries for 2025/26 please contact Eliot Smith directly, creative director eliot@eliotsmithdance.com