Roger Allam, Emma Manton, Geoffrey Streatfield and Akshay Khanna cast in “necessary” revival of David Edgar’s Destiny
A powerful return of David Edgar’s seminal play Destiny will take place at The Cockpit Theatre, London, on 3 May. Marking the play’s 50th anniversary, this revival has been produced to coincide with national elections in Wales and Scotland, and local elections across England – sparking a vital discussion about the direction of our country’s politics.
Producers Byline Times and Bylines Network are delighted to announce a distinguished cast of stage and screen performers:
• Roger Allam (Les Misérables, The Thick of It, Endeavour, Game of Thrones), takes the role of Cleaver, a member of a far-right political movement.
• Emma Manton, acclaimed actor with the RSC and The Office (UK) will play Liz, a young woman resisting far-right extremism.
• Geoffrey Streatfeild, renowned RSC actor and star of The Other Boleyn Girl, will play Rolfe, a businessman.
• Hardeep Matharu, Byline Times editor-in-chief, takes the role of Mrs Howard, a disaffected Conservative.
• Akshay Khanna (Murderbot, The Doll Factory, Chloe) plays the ruthless Crosby and hot-headed street enforcer Attwood.
Five decades after it first electrified British theatre, Destiny returns on the eve of generational elections across the UK, drawing stark parallels between contemporary politics and the rise of the far right in the 1970s. This is more than just a revival. It is the return of one of the most important plays of the late twentieth century at a time when its lessons are more relevant than ever.
This version of the play, abridged exclusively by Edgar, will be followed by post-show discussions exploring the play’s continued resonance – Edgar’s critically acclaimed forensic examination of the populist right is strikingly prescient for 2026. This may explain why cast members and panellists have put aside family events and other projects to take part.
As Geoffrey Streatfeild put it: “In an era of resurgent nationalism, with anti-immigrant sentiment weaponised by a far-right party on the cusp of power, David Edgar’s unsurpassed examination of how such forces arise is sadly more prescient and necessary than ever.”
Panellists include:
• David Edgar – playwright
• Kenan Malik – writer and commentator on race, identity and politics
• Yasmin Alibhai-Brown – journalist and author on multiculturalism & immigration
• Asad Rehman – Friends of the Earth
Peter Jukes, founder of Byline Times, said:
“Destiny is not just a historical play – it is a warning from the past that speaks directly to our present. At a time when disinformation, division and extremism are once again shaping political discourse, this revival brings together extraordinary artists and thinkers to confront those forces head-on.”
Umar Butt, director, said: “Working on Destiny today feels urgent and necessary. This production strips the play back to its essence, allowing the power of Edgar’s words – and the extraordinary cast – to illuminate the mechanisms of fear, identity and political manipulation that remain all too familiar.”
Performer, Emma Manton, said: “Re-visiting Destiny now feels incredibly timely. David’s work is great at asking us to reflect on where we’ve been and where we might be heading.”
Sunday 3 May 2026
2.00 pm and 6.30 pm
The Cockpit Theatre, London
Running time: approximately two hours, including panel discussion
Tickets: £20 standard / £5 concession / £30 pay-it-forward
