Waste, National Theatre ***

British politics appears to be undergoing a great shift, with the Labour party moving from a centre party indistinguishable to the Conservatives to a party of idealism and opposition posing radical left-leaning policies that spark and fires debate. This is what Henry Trebell and the National Theatre want to do in this new production of Harley Granville Barker's Waste and, whilst it doesn't quite work out, it is an admirable attempt. Roger Michell's production can be seen as a dry period piece that never takes off with no real mark being made. However, if you can get through what is admittedly a tough slog to the Fourth Act, you get a pay off with a stunning final image and an interesting investigation into the role of idealism in politics. Trebell is a man who wants reform and believes he can change the country and, even with support, he is crushed by his personal failings. From pigs to 'plebs', the issue of the personal invading the political is a relevant issue and Charles Edward's frankly unlikable Henry bears to mind both the idealism of Corbyn to the personality defects of the Conservative cabinet. Edward's manages this line well, keeping the audience from completely despising the man through his evident desire for change, meaning that the tragic finale has some pain to it. Sylvestra Le Touzel is a tough yet sad and ultimately dependent sister Frances whilst Olivia WIlliams is a outwardly strong yet emotionally vulnerable Amy. Hildegard Bechtler's design, like the ethnicity of the company, is too white and could do with some diversity in order for the audience to engage further with the drama. If you can withstand the dry and often nauseating language in this piece, you are likely to be rewarded in a play that, whilst entirely tame, still questions and addresses the place of ideas and personality in this political landscape.