The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Submitted by OldFireStation on January 19, 2023 - 13:16

Venue, Timing and Cost

Venue: 
The Old Fire Station
Date(s): 
Friday, 17 March 2023
Timing: 
7.30pm
Cost: 
Standard: £13 | Pay more: £15 | Pay less: £11

Neil Gore presents a one-person version of the classic novel by Robert Tressell featuring projection, political conjuring tricks, live music and song. Meet the famous characters and enjoy the scenes, speeches and songs, featuring the Great Money Trick as its centrepiece.

This enduring and absorbing classic story of a year in the life of a group of Edwardian painters and decorators is brought to life by Neil Gore using his extensive knowledge of the book and the play, having performed it in many versions over forty years.

‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ follows a group of workers as they renovate ‘The Cave’, a three-storey town house, for Mayor Sweater. It traces their hardships and struggles for survival in a complacent and stagnating Edwardian England. These workers are the ‘philanthropists’ who throw themselves into back-breaking work for poverty wages in order to generate profit for their masters. They are joined by artist Owen, whose spirited attacks on the dishonesty of Capitalism along with his Socialist vision, highlights the exploitation in their workplace but also focuses on the inequality in society as a whole.

★★★★ “Tremendous” – The Times

“A one-person tour-de-force” – Clare Brennan, Observer

10/10 “Sensational” – Liverpool Echo

“A strong and robust show that brings the characters, humour and inspirational ideas of this great book to life. It is needed now more than ever. You’ll leave the theatre and join the struggle!” – Ken Loach, Film Director

Further Information

Performance
Music
Theatre

Adults
Young People