Henry Pomfret and Jonathan Redding – photo © Andrew Evans

 

 

The original book which this dramatisation is based on was written by an Irish house painter named Robert Noonan, who gave himself the pen-name Tressell. He died from Tuberculosis in 1911, three years before a heavily edited version of his book was published. Appropriately, given the theme of the book, the exploitation of working people, his daughter was given a tiny pittance (£25.00) for the rights to what became a million selling work.

There have been a number of adaptations for the stage, this is a more recent one by Tom Mclennan, commissioned by the PCS Union in 2008 as a contribution to Liverpool Capital of Culture events. Director Chris Jones has updated the text for this Sewell Barn Theatre production with several contemporary references which perfectly suit the mood of the work.

Tressell’s book has often been cited as a major recruiter to the cause of socialism, as it highlights the relentless exploitation of working people by the rich and corrupt. In truth it also questions why so many working class people directly support those who oppress them, even when presented with the clearest of evidence. Think Reform voters.

Much of the play is set in a large house being renovated and decorated by a gang of low paid workmen, including Frank Owen (Jonathan Redding), a strong proponent of socialism who tries to convince his fellow workers. Owen’s character is probably autobiographical sharing many details with Tressell’s life. The drama introduces a number of sub plots about the private lives of the characters, and also portrays a shocking level of corruption in the local council which is run by the same businessmen who ruthlessly exploit their workers.

Kevin Oelrich doubles as the gang foreman Crass and the owner of the big house, Sweater, who is also one of the ‘brigands’ who stitch up the local council to their mutual profit. As Crass he cynically balances self interested servitude to the owner with a feigned loyalty to his underpaid workers, while quietly shafting them if it suits his purpose. Ashley Stevens plays a worker who is perpetually short of money to support his wife Ruth (Vicky Relph) and baby, yet finds himself drawn to the alehouse more than the empty family hearth. To make ends meet he installs workmate Slyme (Henry Pomfret) as his lodger, but the lodger offers Ruth the comfort that her husband does not, with a predictably messy outcome.

There are many small tableaux that further reinforce the culture of unfairness in working practices current at the time of writing (1911) such as an older worker fired then rehired on a reduced wage and a cavalier approach to workplace health and safety with an expectedly grim outcome.

One scene ‘The Great Money Trick’ allows Owen to demonstrate using bread and halfpennies how capitalism works to keep workers impoverished while profiting the bosses greatly. While amusing  it also shows very clearly that we still have the same issues facing workers today, getting worse as far right demagogues take power in many countries. Workers rights, healthcare and benefits have been hard fought for over centuries but we still see them snatched away by the likes of Trump, Farage and Bolsonaro while the billionaires take an ever larger share.

The eight strong cast cover over twenty characters between them, occasionally giving some brief confusion as to their role but all perform strongly and confidently. In reflection of the pre Great War setting it is a very male affair, an unusual change to Sewell Barn’s normal repertoire. Above all this dramatisation of Tressell’s book reinforces the point that often working men support the very people who oppress them rather than using their collective strength to make life better and fairer.

This is a moving and well paced drama that makes the case for socialism with pathos, humour and passion. In an ideal world this play should be a curriculum requirement for every school in the city, and if you are lucky enough to have young people in your life bring them to the Barn for this great show. The set is a joy as ever at the Barn, and the choice of music is poignant, I particularly liked Ozzy Osborne singing ‘Working Class Hero’ as we took our seats. A ‘must see’ show which will not disappoint.

 

© Julian Swainson – 5 March 2026
Norwich Eye

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists plays at Sewell Barn Theatre 5-7 & 11-14 March at 7.30pm, with a matinée at 2.30 on 14 March
Go to www.sewellbarn.org for tickets and more information