Waste

at the Almeida Theatre

Genre: Drama
Opened 2 Oct 2008
Written: by Harley Granville Barker
Directed: Samuel West
Cast: Nancy Carroll (Amy O'Connell), Will Keen (Henry Trebell), Richard Cordery (Russell Blackborough), Patrick Drury (Justin O’Connell), Peter Eyre (Lord Charles Cantilupe), Helen Lindsay (Countess Mortimer/Bertha), Hugh Ross (Cyril Horsham) , Michael Thomas (George Farrant)
Produced: Almeida
Synopsis: Radical independent politician Henry Trebell is persuaded to join the Conservative Party in order to champion his Bill to Disestablish the Church of England and to use its funds to finance a vast education programme. But a liaison with a married woman, who dies after aborting their child, brings private scandal into the political arena.

What the popular press had to say.....
NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "To watch Keen and Nicholls is to experience theatre acting at its finest. Waste itself taxes, tests and stretches the mind, but what an overwhelming experience." PAUL TAYLOR for THE INDEPENDENT says, "Immaculate production...Waste is a remarkably astute and revealing political drama." KATE BASSETT for THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY says, "This is another forgotten gem unearthed by the Almeida." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "Mostly tense, always atmospheric production." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Lovers of good drama and politics junkies should flock to Samuel West's superb revival of Harley Granville Barker's play."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Times
Independent On Sunday
The Independent

production Photo by Johan Persson