The Caretaker at BAM

[fosca3]

Has anyone seen THE CARETAKER at BAM, and how was it?

I'm thinking of coming up to see it, but was curious what people here thought

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

I intensely disliked it, but it was because of the play and not the actors/production.

If you're a fan of the play or Pinter in general I guess it's well done, but otherwise I found it intolerable.

[fosca3]

Thanks, Whizzer

My only exposure to Pinter was THE HOMECOMING, which I loathed (I'd have left at intermission except I was enjoying Ian McShane) -- and it was the play itself that I hated there

I like Jonathan Price, and the production shots look interesting, but I have a feeling I dislike Pinter

Can you please elaborate on what it was about the play you didn't like? Thanks

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

If you loathed The Homecoming I'm guessing you'll feel the same way about this.

Caretaker reminded me of Waiting For Godot. Not much happens, dialogue (appears) to have no meaning. Lots of non sequiturs and talking in circles. Three people in a room talking A LOT about not very much.

Jonathan Pryce does well with his role, in that he fulfills the requirements of the piece. I can't say I actually enjoyed the performances though because I found the play so tiresome.

[themysteriousgrowl]

I was spellbound for the duration. Alan Cox and Alex Hassell handle the language expertly. They make Pinter's strange dialogue as natural as breathing, and Jonathan Pryce is really giving a master class in physical performance. If this production of this play doesn't cure you of an aversion to Pinter, it's unlikely anything will.

My audience partner for the afternoon also loved it, and we talked about it for a couple of hours afterwards, until we settled in for some COCK. (He was a bit more enthusiastic about that one than me, but it was entertaining and well-performed.)

[JBroadway]

I saw this when it was on tour with the same cast. this was my first exposure to Pinter and I absolutely loved it! I personally thought they made the funny parts hilarious, and the serious parts spellbinding. The cast was brilliant and extremely talented. If you don't like Pinter, then you probably won't like it, but I personally enjoyed it a lot.

[fosca3]

Thanks for the ideas, all

Growl -- your words 'if [this] doesn't cure you of an aversion to Pinter, it's unlikely anything will' did it for me. I need to give it a chance, and I am excited about seeing this production. I was glad to hear heartfelt endorsements

I really appreciate all the help

[themysteriousgrowl]

Excellent!

Just don't expect anything too traditional and try to take it each moment as it unfolds. That, I find, is the best way to drink in Pinter's writing. As I say, it kept me glued. I could have sat there for another hour.

I look forward to your thoughts!