One-man show about leftist book
AN adaptation of “The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’”, one of the most cherished books among socialists, comes to the North East this month.
It is being staged as a one-man show by Neil Gore, who says its story of worker exploitation and poverty in Edwardian times is as relevant today as it has ever been.
The book, by Robert Tressell, was first published in 1914. It’s about a group of men working on a house who are joined by journeyman Frank Owen – a skilled decorator with a vision of a fairer society.
Over the course of the book, Owen talks of the “ragged trousered philanthropy” of the working class, who give away the value of their work for little or nothing to the benefit of their bosses.
One of its most famous scenes is the “Great Money Trick” in which he explains how the use of money under capitalism enriches capitalists and exploits the working class.
His attacks on the greed and dishonesty of the capitalist system politicise his fellow workers.
It’s a work that comes with much political as well as emotional baggage among the left. It has been championed as a must-read by the likes of Ken
Loach, Jeremy Corbyn and Michael Foot, to name but a very few.
Neil said: “It’s a great responsibility adapting, but I know the book like the back of my hand.
“It’s a one-man show so that’s got challenges of its own. There are quite a few characters and a lot of storytelling to be done but I think I manage it using various theatrical devices.”
Neil presents it as an Edwardian Magic Show with Magic Lantern and projected animation. It features political conjuring tricks, live music and song, as he introduces the audiences to
the characters from the book and follows the events that surround the painters and decorators who are charged with the renovation of a large town house for local Mayor Sweater.
Neil said: “I know well enough to focus on the parts of the book that mean the most. You can’t get everything in – its over 500 pages and I’m trying to do it in a couple of hours.”
The Great Money Trick is its centrepiece.
“There is the politics of it, the politics of workplace exploitation but also in my version you get to see Tressell’s alternative,” Neil added. “A key part is the orator’s manifesto for the future saying this is what we need to solve the problem of capitalism to end poverty and inequality in society.”
Neil added: “There’s never been a time when it hasn’t been relevant and now it is more relevant than ever.”
■ The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – a One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book by Robert Tressell is being performed on November 14 at Wallsend Memorial Hall and People’s Centre, starting at 7pm. Tickets cost £10 or £5 concessions.