SPOTTIGEO Chilling and witty
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-08-18Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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Left to right: Ken Morley, Stephen Tiller, and Bill Thomas in "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists", ", a play adapted by Stephen Lowe from Robert Tressell's novel. At Photo: Half Moon Terry Connolly Philanthropists' APPROPRIATELY STAGED in the East End of London, Robert Tressell's "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' is a sharp reminder of the degradation working people suffer under the reign of Capital. Not only that, it also reminds us of the dangers of reformist and bourgeois ideas within the labour movement.
Tressell, himself a socialist with clear views of the nature of class society, sets his play in Mugsborough, that is Hastings, focusing on the building trade in the town, in which he himself worked.
The story is centred on Owen, a painter/decorator who has a clear understanding of how working people are duped by the capitalist system." But his workmates, riddled with capitalist conditioning from the cradle to the grave, scorn and deride him. "Socialism's not for the likes of us they protest In a graphic and simple illustration of capitalist exploitation Owen demonstrates the Great Money Trick.
Despite the clarity, logic and persuasiveness of this demonreviews The Ragged Trousered stration, the boss-serving idea that masters and men should "pull together" keeps its grip on the men and paralyses them.
The hounding, spying and intimidation of the work foreman Hunter helps grind the men down into submission. They submit even to arbitrary cuts in wages which are already at starvation levels.
As a simple illustration of the need for soldarity and organisation at work, Tressell's work is remarkably pertinent today in Margaret Thatcher's Britain. As a clear view of class politics and capitalist ideology it serves as a fine starting point for a budding Marxist analysis of society.
For those sensitive to its contemporary importance it is chilling. For all, it is very enjoyable and witty. As a play it is remarkably well performed using the maximum effect from paint, brushes, catwalks, ladders, trestles and tables.
A must for trade unionists and political activists and a very good evening out: