Harold Pinter and the New British TheatreHarold Pinter is universally described as Britain's leading dramatist. This book evaluates the justification for this appellation. It examines his work in relation to changes taking place in the New British Theatre after the so-called theatrical revolution of 1956, and draws attention to those autobiographical experiences that have been transmuted into his art. Beginning with a look at the nature of British theatre prior to 1956, Peacock then describes Pinter's early life in the East End of London, his career as an actor, and his early writing. The discussion follows Pinter's life and work from ^IThe Room^R in 1957 to his most recent play, Ashes to Ashes in 1996. The author argues that although Pinter has not instigated an aesthetic revolution, he has, more significantly, through his representation of human behavior, provoked a new way of viewing the world. |
Contents
A Theatre Hermetically Sealed | 1 |
Harold Pinter Poet Novelist and Actor 13 2 3 5 | 13 |
Harold Pinter Dramatist | 37 |
Copyright | |
8 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acting actors Aldwych Theatre Anna appears Arnold Wesker Arts audience Back in Anger become Betrayal Birthday Party Britain British theatre broadcast career Caretaker characters cinema Comedies of Menace concerns conflict contemporary convey critics David dialogue directed director dominate drama dramatists Dumb Waiter earlier employed Esslin Faber & Faber film Go-Between Goldberg and McCann Harold Pinter Henry Woolf Homecoming husband interview intruder John Kullus Landscape London Lover Mel Gussow middle-class monologue mother Mountain Language National Theatre Night novel opening past performance Peter Hall Pinter's plays Pinter's screenplays Pinteresque play's Poems political theatre portrayal portrayed production Proust Screenplay Pumpkin Eater quotations are taken radio play realistic reference relationship revealed Riley role Royal Court sexual Silence Simon Gray Slight Ache social stage stage-plays structure Susan Engel T. S. Eliot television plays territory theatrical themes violence Vivien Merchant Wesker wife woman writing young