The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Wed 15 Apr
|43 Gallowgate
One-man-showman Neil Gore brings this classic story, of a year in the life of a group of Edwardian painters and decorators, to life.
Time & Location
15 Apr 2026, 19:30 – 21:30
43 Gallowgate, 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4SG, UK
About the event
'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.
Directed by Louise Townsend and adapted by Neil Gore, Townsend Theatre Productions 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.
Hosted by The Tyneside Irish…