The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
p.mc
With Labour out of power and trying to reconnect with its core vote, it
might be the right time to see the adaptation of "The Ragged Trousered
Philanthropists" being staged at The Brindley on Friday the 17th and
Sat.18th Sept. at 7.30pm, The Little Theatre, Birkenhead, Thu 30th Sept, Fri
1st Oct & Sat 2nd Oct, and The Salford Arts centre Sat 9th October.
The book was written by Robert Tressell roughly 100 years ago, and tells the
story of a group of painters and decorators, struggling to live in an
economic culture not unlike our own: there's a recession on, intense
competition between companies to cut costs, and often people look to blame
'foreigners' for all their problems.
Amongst the painters and decorators, one of their number, Frank Owen, tries
to persuade his workmates that there is another way of life that could be
pursued - one based on co-operation, rather than competition. His comical,
tragic and sometimes futile attempts to change the thinking of his
fellow-workers form the gritty basis of the action.
The book's depiction of ordinary people's lives became so popular it became
known as the 'Workers' Bible' and sold millions of copies world-wide - but
only after the author, Tressell, had died and been buried in a pauper's
grave in Liverpool.
If you fancy seeing what all the fuss was about, tickets are on sale now
from The Brindley Box Office on 0151 907 8360 and online at
www.thebrindley.org.uk; Little Theatre Birkenhead Tickets from 0771 684 8894
or tomm5...@yahoo.com; Salford Arts Theatre from
in...@salfordartstheatre.co.uk or the box office on 0161 925 0111 /
07770776924
There will be a special "Preview" performance at the Casa, Liverpool, Mon
13th September at 7.30pm. Tickets £3 but limited number available.
Further Note:
Next year is the 100th anniversary of Robert Tressell's death on Feb 3rd
1911. If you'd like to find out more about the commemorative events being
put on in Liverpool, please email tomm5...@yahoo.com
--
Regards
p.mc