Review: World premiere of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists at Liverpool Everyman

The audience crammed into a grossly overheated Liverpool Everyman to enjoy the latest stage production of "The Worker's Bible" AKA The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.

Robert Tressell’s acclaimed novel was penned in 1910 but remained unpublished until after his death, when his daughter ensured that its 1,600 pages were published in 1914. Tressell passed away in Liverpool, so it is fitting that the world premiere of Howard Brenton’s adaptation be staged at the Everyman, which, as always, enables a fine setting for the cast to interact with the audience.

In years gone by, the novel achieved worldwide success as a socialist tract far beyond what Tressell could ever have imagined. I wonder what he would have made of this new adaptation by Howard Brenton, opening with a rather weak modern day scene in which a rich young couple are set to buy an old house, The Cave, tattered and worn since its last refurbishment in 1904.

Thankfully, the action is swiftly interrupted by the workmen, transporting us back to 1904 and the story of their day-to-day toil unfolds. Each worker’s struggle hammering home all the injustices Tressell saw in the ‘Master and Slave’ relationship upon which Capitalism is built.

The marvelous ensemble cast of 12 switched effortlessly between portrayals of the workmen and their fat cat employers, donning grotesque masks and huge fake bellies to depict their greed and avarice. The set is a wonder as we see the dilapidated house transformed before our eyes into a beautiful Edwardian treasure.

The proud team of workers, frustrated by relentless instructions to cut corners under the watchful eye of slave-driver superior Mr Hunter (Des McAleer), are soon stirred up by socialist Frank Owen who has strong views and a heavy heart. Superbly portrayed by Finbay Lynch, his is the voice of Tressell, reaching out to his fellow workers, hoping to shake up their blind acceptance of the way things are.

The play is disjointed by its very nature, glimpsing snippets of each man’s battle against the harsh reality of working class life; living hand to mouth with mounting debts, alcoholism, nursing ill health and the constant fear of being laid off at a moment’s notice. Winter is approaching and work is already scarce. Renovation of The Cave is the centre of the universe for these men for a few short weeks, the majority of whom are heartbreakingly glad of the arduous tasks despite such little fruits to reap at the end of their labour.

Although injected with moments of humour, this tale is purposefully cruel, gritty and depressing. A play with a strong message, with which the audience may not entirely agree, it was most striking that the overriding messages concerning poverty and the plight of the common man are just as relevant in today’s climate of Recession and rising unemployment as they were a century ago.

A splendid production ruined perhaps slightly by Howard Brenton’s decision to end the action returning to the modern day. The wife, horrified at events past, closes with the hollow words, “Knock it down! Build it new!” which felt a rather needless further comment on the nature of Capitalism and the flippant mindset with which many now value what has gone before.

I urge you to go and judge for yourselves, and see if you’ve turned Red by the end of it.

9/10

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists will run at the Everyman until July 10th. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com for more details or to book tickets.

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