Ashby's Venture Theatre is staging its production of The Pitmen Painters this week.

It opens on Thursday, February 20-Saturday 22, and Wednesday 26t-Sat 29.

The play tells the true story of a group of Ashington miners and a dental mechanic who attended an art appreciation class and discovered a new way to express themselves.

They became a sensation in the art world and their works were added to prestigious collections. Despite this they continued to work every day down the mine.

The play, 'The Pitmen Painters' is based on the true story of a group of Ashington Miners who hired a professor of art to improve their painting skills.

Through an art appreciation evening class they quickly improved their techniques.

Set in the depression of 1934 the play records the experience of miners who achieve fame through their art whilst still continuing to perform their day duties down the pit.

What they produced was fascinating and if a picture paints a thousand words, these pitmen's paintings speak more eloquently than any photograph.

They captured every aspect of life in and around their mining community, above and below ground, from the scenes around the kitchen table and in the allotment to the dangerous and dirty world of the coal face.

The play is written by Lee Hall who achieved fame by writing the script for the film 'Billy Elliot' and the screenplay for 'Rocketman' and 'Shakespeare in Love' plus many stage plays

• Tickets cost £9.00 and are available from Ashby Tourist Information tel. 01530 411767 or can be booked on line at ashbyventuretheatre.org.uk.