Literary classic comes to the arts centre stage
Thursday, 8th March 2012.
One of the classic novels of English literature and a landmark in socialism, is being brought to the stage in Haverhill.
Townsend Productions will be staging a new production of Stephen Lowe’s critically acclaimed version of Robert Tressell’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists at Haverhill Arts Centre on March 22.
Performed as a two-hander, the production, which coincides with the centenary of the author’s death, remains as vivid and as relevant as when it was written almost a century ago, runs.
Robert Tressell's The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists has become a classic of working-class literature since its first publication in 1914.
The themes and style of the piece are eternally relevant and provoking as it puts life and politics into sharp focus in an entertaining and accessible way.
Using instrumentation, songs of the period, movement, physicalisation, comedy and characterisation to create the spirit and clarity of the political message, the play shares with its audience a year in the life of a group of painters and decorators, as they renovate a three-storey town house for Mayor Sweater.
It traces their struggle 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 master.
Tickets for The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists are priced at £10 (£8 concs) from the Arts Centre box office on 01440 714140 or online at www.haverhillartscentre.co.uk
Townsend Productions will be staging a new production of Stephen Lowe’s critically acclaimed version of Robert Tressell’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists at Haverhill Arts Centre on March 22.
Performed as a two-hander, the production, which coincides with the centenary of the author’s death, remains as vivid and as relevant as when it was written almost a century ago, runs.
Robert Tressell's The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists has become a classic of working-class literature since its first publication in 1914.
The themes and style of the piece are eternally relevant and provoking as it puts life and politics into sharp focus in an entertaining and accessible way.
Using instrumentation, songs of the period, movement, physicalisation, comedy and characterisation to create the spirit and clarity of the political message, the play shares with its audience a year in the life of a group of painters and decorators, as they renovate a three-storey town house for Mayor Sweater.
It traces their struggle 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 master.
Tickets for The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists are priced at £10 (£8 concs) from the Arts Centre box office on 01440 714140 or online at www.haverhillartscentre.co.uk
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)