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.

This new adaptation was written by Howard Brenton whose many successes have led him to be really the only man who could have rewritten it and added the rare passion to each character that the play so obviously deserves and demands.

The actors rose to the challenge also and gave a magnificent portrayal of the working class and the council members who run their lives, sometimes without them even knowing. None more so than Finbar Lynch as the socialist free thinker and craftsman Frank Owen and Des Mcleer as under boss Mr. Dennis Hunter who sees how he has become as bad as those either side of the divide, his taking of his own life towards the end of the play is as shocking as it is expected.

The company as a whole realised Robert Tressell’s and Howard Breton’s work with enthusiasm, panache and eloquence and in parts the actions of those on stage brought a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. The set was lovingly presented and there wasn’t a moment throughout the play when the audience didn’t believe that they were indeed in the big house watching the decorators and workmen ply their honest trade, whilst at the same time avoiding being caught out by their so called masters.

This play was one of the best to have been staged at the Everyman and slotted in well with the theatre’s events so far this year.

A truly remarkable experience!

Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 29th 2010.