World-class cast and creatives – including the likes of Martin Freeman, Tamsin Greig, Danny Dyer, Tracy Ann Oberman and David Suchet – will mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Harold Pinter with a celebratory Pinter At The Pinter season, Artistic Director Jamie Lloyd has announced.
The unprecedented season will see all twenty plays written by the iconic British playwright performed at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Other starring cast members announced include Ron Cook, Jane Horrocks, Celia Imrie, John Macmillan, Emma Naomi, Abraham Popoola and Nicholas Woodeson, while direction will be from Jamie Lloyd, Patrick Marber, Lyndsey Turner, Ed Stambollouian and Lia Williams. Many were Pinter’s friends and collaborators.
Of the announcement, Lloyd said: “This season is an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the legacy of an icon. Harold Pinter revolutionised international theatre and the political force of his words feels more vital than ever.”
Lady Antonia Fraser, Pinter’s widow, said: “Presenting all of Harold’s one-act plays is a great adventure. It’s never been done before and I am deeply excited at the prospect of seeing them all together in one season. I do have a wistful thought: if only Harold could be here and experience it himself!”
The eclectic Pinter At The Pinter season, which celebrates the remarkable breadth and range of Pinter’s works, opens with a dynamic collection of his most potent and dangerous political plays – One For The Road, The New World Order, and Mountain Language directed by Jamie Lloyd, paired with Ashes To Ashes directed by Lia Williams.
These play in repertoire with the playful and provocative The Lover and The Collection, two miniature comedic masterpieces which feature David Suchet and John Macmillan. The two miniature comedic masterpieces from the 1960s explore secrets, lies and seduction, and are directed by Lloyd.
The spellbinding and atmospheric Landscape and A Kind Of Alaska will star Tamsin Greig. Two minimalist marvels, the plays evoke loneliness, isolation – and the strange mists of time.
Subsequently, Olivier Award winner Lyndsey Turner directs the emotionally raw and haunting Moonlight, alongside inventive young director Ed Stambollouian’s production of Night School – a quirky Pinter rarity.
Another highlight of the season sees a rare opportunity to witness Pinter’s first play, The Room, starring Jane Horrocks, Emma Naomi and Nicholas Woodeson, and directed by Patrick Marber, alongside Victoria Station and Family Voices.
Two pertinent and irresistibly funny social satires follow: Party Time and Celebration feature Ron Cook, Celia Imrie, Abraham Popoola and Tracy Ann Oberman.
The season culminates sees the famous modern classic The Dumb Waiter star Danny Dyer and Martin Freeman. This is paired with the fascinating psychological comedy drama A Slight Ache – both productions directed by Lloyd.
Special rehearsed readings of Tea Party, The Basement and Silence complete the season, with details and dates of these yet to be announced.
Emily Vaughan-Barratt, ATG and The Jamie Lloyd Company Producer, said: “Having produced The Hothouse and The Homecoming with The Jamie Lloyd Company, it’s fantastic to be working with so many artists whose careers were directly affected by the great playwright himself.
“Danny Dyer holds dear his relationship with Harold, which started when they worked together on the playwright’s final play, Celebration; Patrick Marber directed the 40th anniversary production of The Caretaker; Celia Imrie has fond memories of playing Miss Cutts alongside Harold’s Roote in The Hothouse; Lia Williams and Nicholas Woodeson are long-term Pinter collaborators – indeed, Lia starred in Harold’s production of Mamet’s Oleanna, alongside David Suchet.”
The season begins at the Harold Pinter Theatre from Thursday 6 September, with performances of Pinter’s works currently scheduled until Saturday 23 February 2019.
More information and tickets to all shows are available through our Theatre Tickets page.
First published Thursday 10 May 2018; Updated Friday 11 May