AS PART of this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival organisers are bringing back Townsend Productions’ sell-out adaptation of Robert Tressell’s classic working-class novel to St Marys School, Puddletown.

It is an hilarious fast-paced show following a year in the life of a group of painters and decorators, as they renovate the town Mayor’s house.

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, Neil Gore and Rodney Matthew, using comedy routines, entertaining songs, live music from the Music Hall and uplifting hymns sung in graceful harmony.

The show has been selling out all over the country and after the festival heads to the Edinburgh Festival for a month residency.

Keith Hatch from the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival said: “This is a brilliant adaption of an important book. The story is as relevant today as it was when Robert Tressell wrote it over 100 years ago.

“It is lively and entertaining, and though it gets serious points across it does so in a way that never preaches or attempts to alienate the audience. It’s no wonder that on its last visit to Dorset the show sold out almost every night, and I’d urge people to get their tickets early.”

The show is at St Marys Middle School, Puddletown on July 13 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £9.50 and £8 and can be bought in advance from the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum Shop or by calling (01305) 848 237. For more details on the rest of the festival log onto tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk