Absolute Hell photos: first look at National Theatre's rehearsals

Rehearsal images have been released offering a first glimpse at Joe Hill-Gibbins' production of Absolute Hell.

Rodney Ackland's play is being revived at the National Theatre, opening in April. The piece was first performed at the National Theatre in 1995 and starred Judi Dench who won an Olivier Award for Best Actress as Christine Foskett.

Absolute Hell is set in a Soho drinking den after World War II and the piece caused a scandal when it was first performed in 1952.

The cast includes Esh Alladi, Elizabeth Andrewartha, Ashley Byan, Jonathan Coote, Rachel Dale, Carole Dance, Joanna David, Charles Edwards, Patricia England, Kate Fleetwood, Jenny Galloway, Frazer Hadfield, Aaron Heffernan, Simon Hepworth, Lloyd Hutchinson, Martins Imhangbe, Stephanie Jacob, Fiz Marcus, Sinéad Matthews, Connor Mills, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Anita Reynolds, John Sackville, Liza Sadovy, Jonathan Slinger, Eileen Walsh, Danny Webb and Jade Yourell.

Absolute Hell runs at the National Theatre from 25 April until 16 June, with previews from 18 April.