A CELEBRATION OF HAROLD PINTER Extends Through Nov 25 at Irish Rep

Off-Broadway's Irish Repertory Theatre announces a three-week extension of Julian Sands in A CELEBRATION OF Harold Pinter, with performances now set to run through November 25, in the Irish Repertory Theatre's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). John Malkovich directs.

With personal anecdotes and reflections drawn from their work together, Julian Sands combines Harold Pinter’s poems and political prose to create a very fresh and intimate insight into the Nobel laureate’s literary legacy.

A CELEBRATION OF Harold Pinter opened at The Irish Repertory Theatre on Tuesday, October 16. The production premiered at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival as an homage to Pinter, who died in 2008. The production toured through Britain, and was presented in San Francisco and Los Angeles earlier this year.

British actor Julian Sands is best known for his work in the films "Room With a View," "The Killing Fields," "Leaving Las Vegas," "Time Code," "Warlock," "Naked Lunch," and most recently, "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." His television credits include "24," "Smallville," "Stargate SG-1" and "The L Word." A CELEBRATION OF Harold Pinter marks Mr. Sands's New York City stage debut.

Nobel Prize-winning author Harold Pinter's writing career spanned more than 50 years. One of the most influential modern British dramatists, Pinter (October 10, 1930-December 24, 2008) was the author of more than 29 plays and over 21 screenplays. His plays include BETRAYAL, NO MAN'S LAND, OLD TIMES, THE CARETAKER, THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, A KIND OF ALASKA, and among others, the Tony Award-winning THE HOMECOMING. He was also a noted director, actor, poet, and political activist.

Academy Award-nominated actor John Malkovich ("Places in the Heart," "In the Line of Fire") directed Broadway revivals of THE CARETAKER and ARMS AND THE MAN, and won Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and OBIE awards for his direction of BALM IN GILEAD. He is a founding member of the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. He has also appeared in the films
"The Killing Fields," "Dangerous Liaisons," "Of Mice and Men," "Empire of the Sun," and "Red." New York stage credits include BURN THIS, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, and TRUE WEST.

A CELEBRATION OF Harold Pinter is produced in association with Nick Brooke Ltd. Nick Brooke Ltd. is a West End based entertainment Production Company, specializing in drama, cabaret, musicals and children's theatre. Its productions have toured throughout the United Kingdom, as well as having played in the West End, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in the USA. Further details at www.nickbrooke.com.

The production features lighting design by Michael O'Connor. Production Stage Manager is Elis C. Arroyo.

Co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS. The mission of the theatre was and remains to bring works by Irish and Irish American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences; to provide a context for understanding the contemporary Irish American experience; and to encourage the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures. Ms. Moore and Mr. O'Reilly received the 2011 Eugene O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award from Irish American Writers & Artists, Inc.

A CELEBRATION OF Harold Pinter runs now through November 25 in The Irish Repertory Theatre's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues): Wednesdays at 3pm and 8pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays and 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm (with the following exceptions: added 8pm performance on Tuesday, November 20; no 8pm performance Thursday, November 22). Tickets are $30, and are available by calling 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg