Ensemble '84 brings Tressell's working-class classic to Horden this autumn

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists,

Horden Playhouse,

30th September to 10th October 2026

They paint the houses of the wealthy but can't afford to heat their own. That's the sting at the heart of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Ensemble '84's new adaptation of Robert Tressell's century-old novel, arriving at The Playhouse in Horden this autumn as the company's third major production of the year.

Tressell's story follows a group of painters and decorators in the early twentieth century, men who spend their days making beautiful homes for the wealthy while struggling to heat and feed their own families. Among them is Frank Owen, who starts to question why the people who create the wealth are the ones left in poverty. As he pushes his workmates to see the system differently, he runs up against a hard truth: fear, insecurity and the need for a wage make solidarity difficult, even among people with everything in common.

The production is directed by Mark Dornford-May, the internationally acclaimed theatre-maker and Ensemble '84's co-founder, known for his work with Isango Ensemble in South Africa, including productions that have picked up an Olivier Award and a Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear. Dornford-May brings his company's signature blend of storytelling, movement and music to Tressell's tale, and says the novel's questions about who creates wealth and who benefits from it feel especially pointed in communities like East Durham.

Mark Dornford-May, Artistic Director of Ensemble '84, explained: "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists was written more than 100 years ago, but it still speaks directly to the world we live in today. It asks who creates wealth, who benefits from it and why so many people who work the hardest continue to struggle. These are conversations that belong everywhere, but especially in communities with proud industrial histories like East Durham."

It's billed as funny, angry and sharp - a story about work, poverty, friendship, and the struggle to imagine something fairer, told through a contemporary lens that keeps the original narrative intact.

This is Ensemble '84's third major show of a big first year for The Playhouse, following the venue's opening with Sir Ian McKellen and a run of The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet that picked up four- and five-star reviews. The company, based in Horden, trains and employs performers from across the North East and is one of eight initiatives under Durham County Council's Into the Light programme.

With The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, the company continues its commitment to producing world-class theatre in East Durham while telling stories that resonate with the communities around it.

Ensemble ‘84 is one of the original partners of the flagship Into the Light programme - a county-wide creative and cultural partnership, designed to drive long-lasting growth in County Durham. Julia Handelman-Smith, Into the Light Director, said: "East Durham has always been shaped by hard work, solidarity and creativity. Ensemble ’84 is showing what happens when we invest in that spirit today: ambitious theatre, creative opportunities and a new sense of possibility rooted in Horden itself. At Into the Light, we believe that culture has a key role to play in how communities build confidence and create opportunities for local talent to shine. Ensemble '84 is a brilliant example of culture-led regeneration in action, and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists feels a particularly fitting story to tell. We are very much looking forward to seeing the show when it opens next month and commend the team on their incredible success to date."

The details

Production: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, written by Robert Tressell, adapted by Ensemble '84
Director: Mark Dornford-May
Venue: The Playhouse, Horden, Peterlee, SR8 4NQ
Dates: 30th September – 10th October 2026
Times: Most evenings 7.30pm (Friday 2nd October 7pm); Saturday 3rd and Saturday 10th October also have 2.30pm matinees
Age guidance: 12+ recommended; under-16s must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: £10–£20, via box office on 0191 300 4340 or online at ensemble84.com

With a two-week run and a story that speaks directly to East Durham's own industrial history, this is a rare chance to see Tressell's radical classic reimagined on home ground.

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