The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Name: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Start: 2026-03-28T19:00:00+00:00
Location: Kings Heath Community Centre

Schedule

Sat, 28 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Kings Heath Community Centre | Birmingham, EN

Adapted by Neil Gore from the book by Robert Tressell, directed by Louise Townsend
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Remarkable” “Brilliant” (The Morning Star).
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Tremendous” (The Times).
“A one person Tour-De-Force” (Clare Brennan – The 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).
Doors Open at 7pm at The Kings Heath Community Centre
8 Heathfield Rd
King's Heath
Birmingham
B14 7DB