Waste, National Theatre

With hard-hitting themes of sex, politics and suicide, Harley Granville Barker's Waste was banned by censors in 1907 and wasn't performed until almost 30 years later. Now director Roger Michell revives the play for the Lyttleton Theatre as part of the National Theatre's new season, winter 2015.

Waste: play themes

Centring on radical politician Henry Trebell as he's persuaded by the Tories to pass a divisive Bill through a hung parliament, the play uncovers a scandalous underbelly of illicit affairs, backstreet abortions and sleaze.

Most recently revived at the Almeida in 2008, Waste is still as cynical and pertinent as it was in Edwardian London. Opening with an ailing Liberal government that falls prey to the Conservatives, it offers plenty of scope for contemporary parallels and it will interesting to see how far this latest production engages with our current political situation.

Actor Charles Edwards: Waste star

Rumours that Dominic West would star proved false. Instead it will be Charles Edwards taking on the role of Harry Trebell. The vastly experienced stage and screen stage has impressed at the National before and is a familiar face after playing rich newspaper editor Michael Gregson in Downton Abbey. And with an Oscar nomination for his roles in the West End version of The King's Speech, Edwards has proved his skill at capturing the tone of Edwardian London's elite and his clout on stage.

Roger Michell: theatre director

Director Roger Michell made a name for himself at the Royal Court, assisting Samuel Beckett and going on to direct productions including My Night With Reg and Birthday. Along with an extensive stage career, including four shows at the National Theatre, Mitchell has also directed hit films including Notting Hill and Enduring Love.