The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Synopsis

Tressell's iconic Edwardian novel evokes a year in the lives of a team of builders as they struggle to survive on the breadline. Humour is never very far away as Tressell satirises the scams and tricks of the trade - still familiar to householders today - used by skinflint bosses to save time and money.

Our Review:

19 July 2010

There was a time when Tressell's story of impoverished house-painters doing up a sprawling house was a mandatory part of every socialist's education.

This joint production by Liverpool Everyman and Chichester Theatre doesn't pull back on its underlying socialism - as opposed to the original publishers of the novel, who excised much of the more hard-hitting parts of the book.

In truth, Tressell's belief in the arts and crafts movement was always a more  romantic manifestation of socialism. Howard Brenton's adaptation uses a framing device of a young middle-class couple buying the house. His version reduces the cast of characters and simplifies the plot but is recognisably Tressell's book.

Christopher Morahan, who directed the same piece for television in the 60s, brings a very Brechtian touch to proceedings. The use of masks and popular songs are more Berliner Ensemble than Chichester - and Brecht would surely have appreciated the intricate details ...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Jo - 25 July 2010:

An important story that needs re-telling in these terrible times.Some wonderful speeches that quite simply moved the soul, although they were probably lost on the very comfortably off Chichester audience. Interesting how Tressell's fury at the failure of the Tories and the Liberals fits so well with now. A story for our times without a doubt. Not sure about the 'sell it' ending though - felt very wrong and somehow took the shine off of a brilliant piece of theatre ...

Read more and add your own review