A one-man show by Neil Gore based on Robert Tressell’s novel The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists will be staged at St Mary’s Church Hall.

The Irvine performance, on Monday, May 27 at 7pm, is the only one being staged in Scotland and is organised by Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union Council.

Published in 1914, Robert Tressell’s novel charts the lives of a group of painters and decorators in the town of Mugsborough at the turn of the 20th century.

Haunted by fears of unemployment, the men struggle to keep their jobs at any cost but some begin to realise that their condition of miserable poverty is neither natural or just.

Neil Gore adapted the novel for stage and pulls off a great performance playing all 10 roles himself while changing scenery and lighting, running magic lantern slide shows, doing magic tricks and playing three instruments. Quite a feat.

Arthur West, of the Trades Council, saw Neil Gore’s one man show in Glasgow last year and was so impressed that he immediately asked if there was any chance of the play coming to Irvine.

Arthur said: “I was delighted when they said they would fit in a show in Irvine in the 2019 schedule.

“The play gives a real insight into the struggle for justice and fairness in society at the turn of the last century.

“The really wonderful thing about the play is that it still has many relevant messages for the present day.”

Tickets for the show are £7 for waged people and £5 for retired people, unemployed or people in receipt of benefits.

To book tickets phone 07826127759 or email arthurwest7@hotmail.co.uk