THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS

Tressell’s classic of socialist literature was first published in the U.K. in 1914. Narrator Tony Robinson, whom listeners may recognize from the British TV series “Blackadder,” is in complete control of this highly abridged production. The novel is overtly political, but Robinson humanizes the characters with his symphonic range. He uses a grab bag of voices and accents for the crew of painters and decorators at the center of the story, as well as a rabble of children. He gets an assist from Stephen Twigg, a former Labor Party MP, who capably voices one iconic character in the story. It all adds up to an admirable production that will likely bring this historically important work to a new generation of listeners. D.B. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2010]