The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Saturday 25th November, 2023 at 7:30pm
(Doors and bar open at 7:00pm)
A departure from our normal music concerts. This is a one person Magic Lantern show of the classic book "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" adapted by Neil Gore from the book by Robert Tressell directed by Louise Townsend.
Neil presents a one-person version of the classic novel 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 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 (The Observer)
10/10 Sensational - Liverpool Echo
Running time/interval - Act 1 40 min; Act 2 30 min; 20 min interval.
Age suitability – 11 plus.
Tickets (£10) should be booked with Peter Burnham, preferably by email to peter.burnham@gmail.com . Alternatively telephone him on 01665 711388.