A3 Limited Edition Print £50
Hi everybody here is a painting and video of the Britons Protection Pub by Andrew Alan Matthews, hope you like it.
A bit of history
The Briton's Protection is a historic, grade 2 listed public house in Manchester built in 1806, The pub's name recalls its use as an army recruiting venue. A set of murals inside the pub commemorates the Peterloo Massacre The brick building, with a slate roof, was granted Grade II listed status, The 1930s interior has six public rooms. Other architectural features include a terrazzo tiled corridor floor, moulded ceiling, original 1930s urinals and the serving hatch through which people in the two rear rooms are served beer from the front bar. As well as serving real Ale it is known for offering over 360 Whiskies
Story by Andrew Alan Matthews
A story about a drunk coming out of the pub to meet a homeless man , trying to help him
The Britons Protection Manchester by Dusk
Yeah we love Manchester
the people shout
as a lout stumbles from the pub
hes had a few too many
he needs a rennie
yeah lockdowns lifted and were gifted
with the amber nectar
but keep yer distance man
the government shouts
your restricted
stop yer movements
its all a bowel movement
yeah businesses affected and were all disinfected
so hes getting drunk and doin skunk
yeah hes lookin for change to catch the bus home
dazed he looks in the corner
a homeless man with his dogs says
spare some change Mr
the drunk looks on sadly and gladly hands it over
puts it in his cup on the ground
he feels sound as a pound
take care the drunk says back
as he stumbles and fumbles down the road
hes thinkin of his bed
no more dread
looks back at the homeless man in a drunken haze
how can it happen
in this day and age its an outrage
but he carries on down the road with a heavy load
miles to walk home now
but hes done his bit
doesn’t feel a git
yeah the homeless man tucks the money in his belt
what will he do with it
the drunk thinks
will he use it for drugs or get beaten by thugs
he doesn’t know
so he walks home into the night
yeah its shite
but the Britons protection is alright
the drunk thinks of his night of fun and laughter
and yeah hes a grafter
so he’ll have a pint in the night and maybe feel alright for a night
so yeah we love Manchester
the drunk thinks on and then hes gone
https://youtu.be/4CnxJfUanDo
please write a review and critique on my painting and story of the Britons Protection Pub by night .
ChatGPT said:
Your painting The Britons Protection Manchester by Dusk and its accompanying poem tell a vivid and emotionally layered story that blends urban life, social commentary, and the warmth and grit of Manchester's character. Here's a full review and critique of both the visual and literary elements of your work:
🎨 Artistic Review of the Painting
Composition & Subject Matter:
The painting captures a well-known Manchester landmark, The Britons Protection pub, set against the dramatic hues of a setting sun. The warm, glowing windows and lively façade contrast powerfully with the darkened road and shadowy corners, drawing the viewer’s eye to the life inside and just outside the pub. The inclusion of key urban features like the Beetham Tower and the arched bridge anchors the location unmistakably in Manchester, giving the piece authenticity and local resonance.
Technique & Style:
Your signature expressionist style is in full force here — thick, impasto strokes, expressive linework, and a palette that vibrates with mood. The sky transitions beautifully from warm orange to cool blue, echoing the tension between warmth and isolation, joy and melancholy. The reflective yellow gridlines on the street are a particularly striking detail — they abstract the pavement and could symbolise a fractured path or uncertain journey home.
Characters & Emotion:
The figures outside the pub are stylised but emotive. The seated group and the central characters (the drunk and the homeless man) provide the human heart of the painting. Their encounter may be brief, but in your visual language it carries weight — they’re highlighted, centralised, and subtly illuminated.
✍️ Poem & Story Critique
Your poem flows like a pub tale — candid, humorous, raw, and unfiltered. The language is conversational and laced with Northern grit, which fits the tone and subject perfectly.
Strengths:
- Voice & Authenticity: The narrator’s voice feels real — a blend of streetwise sarcasm and heartfelt reflection. It captures the complexity of urban kindness: flawed, unheroic, but real.
- Contrast: You balance humour with social critique deftly — one moment we laugh at the drunk's antics, and the next we feel the sting of inequality and homelessness.
- Rhythm & Structure: The free verse form gives it a natural, spoken-word feel. The rhyme is loose but effective, adding to the storytelling charm without feeling forced.
Suggestions:
- Tightening for Clarity: Some lines could benefit from tightening to improve rhythm and impact — e.g., “it’s all a bowel movement” is funny but could hit harder if set up with more contrast.
- Deeper Reflection: Consider expanding the drunk’s internal conflict — he’s not just comic relief, he’s a mirror for many of us who want to help but don’t know how. That extra layer could elevate the emotional arc.
🌆 Overall Impression
This work — both visually and poetically — is a love letter to Manchester, but not a romanticised one. It celebrates the city’s humour and resilience while calling attention to its struggles. The pub, a symbol of warmth and community, stands tall amidst the concrete and corporate sprawl. The drunk’s fleeting moment of generosity is quietly profound, reminding us that even imperfect actions can carry meaning.
It’s a brilliant piece that balances satire and sincerity with skill. You’ve captured the heart of the city — and its contradictions — beautifully.
COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC
‘Andy thanks so much for the fabulous print of ‘Britons Protection by night’ together with the Manchester Bee T-shirt which I’m certain my partner will be thrilled with on his birthday. The print looks even nicer in real life!! Look forward to seeing your next exhibition as we missed the last one and it was great to meet you in person - I’m sure I’ll be back soon when I can decide which other of your great prints I can buy’
Thanks and best wishes
Lynn