Harold Pinter

""Harold Pinter provides an up-to-date analysis and reappraisal concerning the work of one of the most studied and performed dramatists in the world. Drawing extensively from The Harold Pinter archive at the British Library as well as reviews and other critical materials, this book offers new insights into previously established views about his work. The book also analyses and reappraises specific key historical and contemporary productions - including a selection of Pinter's most significant screenplays. In particular, this volume seeks to assess Pinter's critical reputation and legacy since his death in 2008. These include his position as a political writer and political activist - from disassociation and neutrality on the subject until relatively late in his career when his drama sought to explicitly address questions of political dissent and torture by totalitarian regimes. The book revisits some familiar territory such as Pinter's place as a British absurdist and the role memory plays in his work, but it also sets out to explore new territory such as Pinter's changing attitudes towards gender in the light of #MeToo and queer politics and how in particular a play such as The Caretaker (1960) through several key productions have brought the issues of race into sharper focus. Part of the Routledge Modern and Contemporary Dramatist series, Harold Pinter provides an essential and accessible guide to the dramatists' work"-- Provided by publisher Harold Pinter provides an up-to-date analysis and reappraisal concerning the work of one of the most studied and performed dramatists in the world.Drawing extensively from The Harold Pinter Archive at the British Library as well as reviews and other critical materials, this book offers new insights into previously established views about his work. The book also analyses and reappraises specific key historical and contemporary productions, including a selection of Pinter's most significant screenplays. In particular, this volume seeks to assess Pinter's critical reputation and legacy since his death in 2008. These include his position as a political writer and political activist – from disassociation and neutrality on the subject until relatively late in his career when his drama sought to explicitly address questions of political dissent and torture by totalitarian regimes. The book revisits some familiar territories such as Pinter's place as a British absurdist and the role memory plays in his work, but it also sets out to explore new territories such as Pinter's changing attitudes towards gender in the light of #MeToo and queer politics and how in particular a play such as The Caretaker (1960) through several key productions has brought the issues of race into sharper focus.Part of the Routledge Modern and Contemporary Dramatist series, Harold Pinter provides an essential and accessible guide to the dramatists'work. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Part 1 Life, Career, Critical Reputation 1 Life and Career: From Hackney to Holland Park 2 Pinter’s Critical Reputation, Legacy and Afterlife ‘The Biggest Ship in the Fleet’ The Experimental Turn The Kitchen Sink Absurdist Political Pinter 3 Intruders and Rooms Comedies of Menace? The Birthday Party: ‘A Grand Guignol of the Sensibilities’ The Caretaker The Servant 4 Gender Trouble Slutbitch Wives and Filthy Scrubbers: The Homecoming Sleuth 5 Memory and Politics Betrayal Ashes to Ashes Part II Key Plays and Productions 6 The Birthday Party Production 1: London Premiere, 1958 Production 2: Resurrection and the RSC, 1964 Production 3: The Birthday Party on Film, 1968 Production 4: National Theatre, 1994 Production 5: Bath Theatre Royal, 1999 Production 6: Shared Experience, 1990 7 The Caretaker Production 1: Arts Theatre/Duchess Theatre, 1960 The Caretaker on Film Production 2: London Comedy Theatre, 1991 Production 3: National Theatre, 1980–1981 Production 4: Bristol Old Vic, 2017 8 The Homecoming Production 1: Royal Shakespeare Company, Aldwych Theatre, London, 1965 Production 2: Comedy Theatre, London, 1990 Production 3: National Theatre, 1997 References Index