The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

8pm Wednesday - Friday - Back AGAIN by popular demand after ANOTHER completely sold out run! 

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.

Book fast - this show is a regular sell out at the Alma and around the country!

Adapted by Neil Gore
Directed by Louise Townsend

Suitable for ages 11+

All tickets include a £1 transaction fee.

Approx Running Time 2hrs 10 mins (incl. 20 min interval).

★★★★ "Tremendous" The Times

10/10 "Sensational" Liverpool Echo

"A one person Tour-De-Force" Clare Brennan (The Observer)

All purchases for show at the Alma now have a suggested donation to the theatre and inhouse company of £2.00

You can remove this donation by changing the amount to £0.00, but please do consider offering your generosity to help us continue to offer great theatre at affordable prices.

The Alma Theatre has been serving the community for 25 years and has never been the recipient of ACE or other funding and were unable to secure the Covid Arts Recovery Fund. We have been offering reduced rates, preferential box office splits and extended promo support to aid the recovery from the past year and a half. Your help will enable us to continue bringing fantastic stories to your local theatre. 50% of your donation will go to the Alma Theatre, and 50% to our inhouse company, Schoolhouse Productions.