Tag Archives: Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Theatre Review. The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool.

Fine Time Fontayne and Neil Gore at The Lantern Theatre. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 29th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Cast: Neil Gore, Fine Time Fontayne.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell should be considered one of the most important books of the last 100 years, no matter what your background is. First published in 1914, it shocked then as it still has the power to do so now. The adaptations for the stage have been equally well received and especially in Liverpool where in 2010 Howard Brenton’s adaptation and starring Finbar Lynch, brought the house down.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. Theatre Review. Liverpool Everyman Theatre.

Cast: Dean Ashton, Will Beer, Louise Bush, Larry Dann, Tim Francis, Finbar Lynch, Des McAleer, Thomas Morrison, Laura Rees, Paul Regan, Gyuri Sarossy, Nicholas Tennant.

It is without doubt that it is a shame that Robert Tressell never got to see how his seminal piece of work, The Ragged Trousered Philanthopists, inspired and influenced a generation to the point that the old order was swept away and in its place stood the promise of better times for all. Certainly for those who have attended the production during its run at the Everyman will have come away with certain ideas shaken or reinforced.