HAVE you ever ‘bin’ somewhere so wonderful, that you’d risk everything to stay? Even if your treasured destination was amongst another man’s trash?

Such are the thoughts behind Worcestershire writer Nick Wilkes’ new play Wasters which has its premiere at Malvern’s intimate Coach House Theatre, from Monday, March 2 to Saturday, March 7.

Described as a dark comedy of food waste, life decisions and toilet rolls, Wasters tells the story of two tramps who live in an alley behind a supermarket.

Peter, who has lived there years, lives safely in the knowledge that at six o'clock every day the food is thrown out, which is when he'll sort through the out of date items and feed himself. But his world is thrown out of balance with the arrival of David, who has decided to pursue a simpler life and has given all his possessions away.

Throw into the mix a romantic attachment to a kind-hearted supermarket employee, and a bearded guru that lives in the shadows, and the stage is set for a stunning story.

“Food waste was the theme of last year's Harvest Festival at my daughter's school,” says playwright Nick Wilkes. “We were told that seven million tons of food is thrown away in the UK every year. By chance I was already thinking about a play involving two guys living behind a supermarket and the idea formed from there.”

“Mention that a play is about two tramps and people instantly think of ‘Waiting for Godot’, but if the audience has ever seen one of our previous productions they’ll soon realise that this is far more Malvernbard than Beckett.”

Produced by Malvernbard, this is the latest in a string of plays from the company that has grown a loyal local following as the company has developed over the past few years.

Their last production of ‘Adrian’s Wall’ saw 43ft of Roman wall built across the Forum Theatre, with the audience divided either side, and played to large audiences and tremendous reviews. It also raised over £1,800 for the Armed Forces charity, Help For Heroes.

“This is a more intimate piece, so we're really happy to back at the Coach House,” says Nick.

“Since last year's major refurbishment, the Coach House has become an even better place for audiences, but from our point of view the backstage area also has everything we need to rehearse and put on a production. I think in the coming years we'll see it become more and more popular as a venue in Malvern.”

Wasters has been sponsored by local tissue manufacturer ESP and will raise money for Food Cycle, a charity that takes surplus food and turns it into meals for people at risk of food poverty and social isolation.

After the shows in Malvern, the play goes on tour to London, Sidmouth, Pershore and Stratford-upon-Avon.