Harley Granville-Barker, Waste

Philippa Burt (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Ed. by Peter Childs, Birmingham Newman University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1927

Places

United Kingdom (Country of Origin; Publication/ performance)

Genres and Modes

Play

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Of all the plays written by Harley Granville Barker,

Waste

is the most significant and the most notorious. Described by

The Athenaeum

as “the most important event of our recent theatrical history”, part of its significance comes from its role in the battle against theatre censorship in Britain, where it highlighted the inconsistencies and inadequacies of the system (n.a., 1907). The play was originally written for Barker and J. E. Vedrenne’s 1907 season at the Savoy Theatre. However, a month before the scheduled opening, the pair were informed that its licence was refused. A lengthy debate over the pages of many national newspapers followed, where

Waste

became a rallying call for the campaign against theatre censorship that resulted in the formation of a Select Committee Enquiry in…

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2547 words

Citation: Burt, Philippa. "Waste". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 August 2019 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38887, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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Harley Granville-Barker, Waste

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