This adaptation of Robert Tressell’s famous novel is a hilarious fast-paced show that 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 masters.

This vibrant, lively story is brought to life by two hugely talented and experienced performers using comedy routines, entertaining songs, live music from the Music Hall and uplifting hymns from the Chapel sung in graceful harmony.

A finely-paced production which packs plenty of food for thought into an entertaining and accessible evening.  The performers have an easy rapport with the audience… the musical direction builds a three-dimensional emotional world through its inventive use of a wide range of period songs WhatsonStage

The decorators are brought to life in a dazzling array of characters and presented with theatrical skill and good humour. Fontayne is memorable as Frank Owen and Gore’s fearsome portrayal of the sleazy foreman, Crass, leaves us in no doubt that workers are often their own worst enemies The Stage

An Education pack is available on request for this production.