NT : What's On : Productions : Major Barbara

Major Barbara

by Bernard Shaw

FOUR STARS
Daily Mail, Evening Standard, Guardian, Independent, Mail on Sunday, Sunday Express

'A drama which asks big questions launches this year's Travelex £10 season. Simon Russell Beale is in commanding form.'
Daily Telegraph

'This great, ironic comedy... a timeless play for today.'
Evening Standard

Major Barbara works tirelessly for the poor at a Salvation Army shelter until a large but morally dubious donation is welcomed from her estranged father, a millionaire weapons manufacturer. But when she visits the factory itself, the well-fed workers in their thriving model town make a devastating case for arms trade profits and a whole new set of ideals.

Nothing is ever done in this world until men are prepared to kill one another if it is not done.

The National’s recent production of Saint Joan (Best Revival, Laurence Oliver Awards 2008) suggested that Shaw may be our most provocative contemporary playwright.

Simon Russell Beale plays the millionaire, Undershaft, in this radical state-of-the-nation play which confronts the big questions with brutal panache.

The greatest of evils and the worst of crimes is poverty… our first duty – a duty to which every other consideration should be sacrificed – is not to be poor.

Extra dates now on sale
Ends 3 July

Cast credits:

Snobby Price : Paul Anderson

Charles Lomax : Tom Andrews

Barbara Undershaft : Hayley Atwell

Bill Walker : Ian Burfield

Jenny Hill : Katharine Burford

Bilton : Martin Chamberlain

Ensemble : Alasdair Craig

Peter Shirley : Patrick Drury

Ensemble : Keiran Flynn

Sarah Undershaft : Jessica Gunning

Stephen Undershaft : John Heffernan

Lady Britomart Undershaft : Clare Higgins

Morrison : Derek Howard

Rummy Mitchens : Stephanie Jacob

Ensemble : Barbara Kirby

Mrs Baines : Maggie McCarthy

Ensemble : Pamela Merrick

Adolphus Cusins : Paul Ready

Undershaft : Simon Russell Beale

Ensemble : Richard Shanks

Ensemble : Lizzie Winkler

Production credits:

Director: Nicholas Hytner

Set Designer: Tom Pye

Costume Designer: Vicki Mortimer

Lighting Designer: Paul Pyant

Music: Matthew Scott

Sound Designer: Mike Walker

Photo (Simon Beale and Hayley Atwell) © Catherine Ashmore

Major Barbara finished on: 3 July 2008