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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.

Nicholas Hytner directs the new National Theatre production of George Bernard Shaw's classic 1905 drama. Simon Russell Beale plays Andrew Undershaft with Hayley Atwell as Major Barbara, along with Paul Ready as Adolphus Cusins, Barbara's Greek scholar fiance, and Clare Higgins as her mother Lady Britomart Undershaft.