Director : Chris Jones
Contact :
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Performance dates: 5-7, 11-14 March 2026
Auditions: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October 2025
* NB: times of auditions by arrangement with the director *
Set in Edwardian England, a group of decorators struggle to make ends meet while their employers live well on the proceeds of their labour. One man, Owen, tries to covert the others to the cause of socialism, but most of the workers struggle to see a bigger picture beyond their own immediate experiences. Meanwhile the bosses are plotting and scheming on the local council to line their own pockets
Although it is a classic of political literature, the story contains a lot of humour, almost slapstick at times, and is always entertainment first and education second. There are points at which actors break the “fourth wall” and interact with the audience. Scenes generally run from one into the next, and some of the changes are fast.
Scenery will be limited with the reuse of props and furniture to create different settings within the same set. Actors will be playing multiple roles, sometimes within the same scene, with minor costume changes and props to differentiate.
There are over 20 characters, to be played by a cast of 7. Apart from the main character, Owen, each actor will play at least 2 roles – a worker and one of the bosses, and most will also play one or more smaller roles. Costume changes will be minimal – mostly limited to a change of hat or coat – so the ability to show different characters through speech and body language will be key.
For full details of characters and more information, please visit our website:
https://www.sewellbarn.org/index.php/audition-notice-the-ragged-trousered-philanthropists/
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