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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

ALNWICK 06 - 07 DECEMBER
Alnwick Playhouse, NE66 1PQ

 

Audio Description and Touch Tour: Saturday 07 December (Matinee)
 

ONLINE 26 DECEMBER
Online Performance, Festive Special 


 

Spring '25 Performances

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

 

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Paintings that inspire PITMAN

Creative Team

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Eliot Smith

Choreographer

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Yamit Salazar

Rehearsal Director

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Harry Wilson

Dancer

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Adam Johnson

Composer

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Oliver Kirk

Dancer

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Adam Davies

Dancer

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Thomas Cico

Apprentice Dancer

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Karishma Young

Dancer

Partners

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Funders

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Friends of ESD and Anonymous Donors

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Get access to PITMAN videos, unique footage and a sneak peek behind the scenes

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Booking Enquiries

For bookings and enquiries for 2025/26 please contact Eliot Smith directly, creative director eliot@eliotsmithdance.com

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