Harold Pinter
Birth Place: ENGLAND
Latest News on Harold Pinter:
Review: SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, Harold Pinter Theatre (Dec 19, 2024)
TRUTH TO POWER CAFE Comes to Theatre Works (Dec 18, 2024)
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards; BURLESQUE Leads Best Musical! (Dec 16, 2024)
Review: SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, Harold Pinter Theatre (Dec 19, 2024)
TRUTH TO POWER CAFE Comes to Theatre Works (Dec 18, 2024)
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards; BURLESQUE Leads Best Musical! (Dec 16, 2024)
BIO
Harold Pinter was an English playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor, widely regarded as one of the most influential and important dramatists of the 20th century. Born in Hackney, East London, on October 10, 1930, Pinter grew up in a working-class Jewish family. He attended Hackney Downs School, where he excelled in English literature and drama, and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Pinter's early career was marked by a series of odd jobs, including working as a waiter, a sweeper, and a repertory actor. In 1957, he achieved his breakthrough as a playwright with his first full-length play, The Birthday Party, which premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London. The play was initially panned by critics, but it later became recognized as a masterpiece of modern drama.
Pinter's subsequent plays, including The Caretaker (1960), The Homecoming (1965), and Betrayal (1978), established him as a major force in the theatre world. His plays are known for their sparse, elliptical dialogue, their use of silence and pauses, and their exploration of power dynamics and human relationships. Pinter's work has been described as a blend of comedy and menace, a reflection of the absurdity and brutality of modern life.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Pinter was also a prolific screenwriter, penning scripts for films such as The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), The Handmaid's Tale (1990), and Sleuth (2007). He also directed several of his own plays, as well as films and television productions.
Pinter was a vocal political activist, and his work often reflected his left-wing views. He was a staunch critic of American foreign policy, particularly in relation to the Iraq War, and he was a member of the Stop the War Coalition. In 2005, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, in recognition of his "unmistakable voice, that with a minimum of means, captures the underlying universal truths of human existence."
Pinter's stage work was also recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play for The Caretaker and The Homecoming, and he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play for Betrayal. He was also awarded the Companion of Honour in 2002, and the BAFTA Fellowship in 2005.
Pinter's legacy continues to influence contemporary theatre, film, and literature. His plays are regularly produced around the world, and his screenplays are studied in film schools and universities. His influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary playwrights, including David Mamet and Martin McDonagh.
Despite his success and critical acclaim, Pinter remained a private and enigmatic figure. He was married to actress Vivien Merchant from 1956 to 1980, and later to author Antonia Fraser. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2001, but continued to work and write until his death on December 24, 2008.
In conclusion, Harold Pinter was a towering figure in 20th-century theatre, whose work continues to captivate and challenge audiences. His plays and screenplays are marked by their distinctive style and their exploration of power, politics, and human relationships. Pinter's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of art to illuminate and transform the world around us.
Photos
Opening Night Theatre Marquee for ''Betrayal'' at the Barrymore Theatre on October 27, 2013 in New York City. Harold Pinter''s landmark play Betrayal returns to Broadway starring Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Rafe Spall. Mike Nichols directs the drama,
Date:
01/05/2014
From: Photo Flash: A Fond Farewell to Broadway's 700 SUNDAYS, ANNIE, BETRAYAL, FIRST DATE & SPIDER-MAN
SIR MICHAEL GAMBON as Hirst and SIR DEREK JACOBI as Spooner in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land (first performed at the NT in 1975 with Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson)
Date:
11/02/2013
From: Photo Coverage: NT50 - The National Theatre's Birthday Celebrations, With Dench, Mirren, And More!
Productions
Writing
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Movies
The Servant
[ 1963 ] People in restaurant: Society Man
[ 1963 ] People in restaurant: Society Man
The Guest
[ 1963 ] writer
[ 1963 ] writer
The Pumpkin Eater
[ 1964 ] writer
[ 1964 ] writer
The Quiller Memorandum
[ 1966 ] writer
[ 1966 ] writer
Modesty Blaise
[ 1966 ] writer
[ 1966 ] writer
Accident
[ 1967 ] Bell - TV Producer
[ 1967 ] Bell - TV Producer
The Birthday Party
[ 1968 ] writer
[ 1968 ] writer
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
[ 1970 ] Steven Hench
[ 1970 ] Steven Hench
The Go-Between
[ 1971 ] writer
[ 1971 ] writer
The Homecoming
[ 1973 ] writer
[ 1973 ] writer
The Last Tycoon
[ 1976 ] writer
[ 1976 ] writer
The French Lieutenant's Woman
[ 1981 ] writer
[ 1981 ] writer
Betrayal
[ 1983 ] writer
[ 1983 ] writer
Turtle Diary
[ 1985 ] Man in Bookshop
[ 1985 ] Man in Bookshop
Reunion
[ 1989 ] writer
[ 1989 ] writer
The Comfort of Strangers
[ 1990 ] writer
[ 1990 ] writer
The Handmaid's Tale
[ 1990 ] writer
[ 1990 ] writer
The Trial
[ 1993 ] writer
[ 1993 ] writer
Mojo
[ 1997 ] Sam Ross
[ 1997 ] Sam Ross
Mansfield Park
[ 1999 ] Sir Thom Bertram
[ 1999 ] Sir Thom Bertram
The Tailor of Panama
[ 2001 ] Uncle Benny
[ 2001 ] Uncle Benny
Sleuth
[ 2007 ] Man on T.V.
[ 2007 ] Man on T.V.
Awards and Nominations
The Lortels - 2011 - Outstanding Revival
Harold Pinter, The Collection & A Kind of Alaska
winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2004 - Lebedev Special Award
Harold Pinter
winner
The Lortels - 1999 - Outstanding Lifetime Achievement
Harold Pinter
winner
Olivier Awards - 1996 - The Society's Special Award
Harold Pinter
Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Revival of a Play or Comedy
Harold PinterNo Man's Land
Olivier Awards - 1981 - Director of the Year
Harold PinterQuartermaine's Terms
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1980 - Best Foreign Play
Harold Pinter, Betrayal
winner
Olivier Awards - 1979 - Play of the Year
Harold PinterBetrayal
Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Best New Foreign Play
Harold Pinter, No Man's Land
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1977 - Best Play
Harold Pinter, No Man's Land
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1972 - Best Foreign Play
Harold Pinter, Old Times
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Play
Harold Pinter, Old Times
Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Direction of a Play
Harold Pinter, The Man in the Glass Booth
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1967 - Best Play
Harold Pinter, The Homecoming
winner
Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Play
Harold Pinter, The Homecoming
Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Play
Harold Pinter, The Caretaker
winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1960 - Best Play
Harold PinterThe Caretaker
Videos
Exclusive Video: Watch a Scene From THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 1, 2024
Video: Zheng Xi Yong and Mia Kobayashi Perform 'Catch A Shooting Star' From YOUR LIE IN APRIL - THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2024
Video: Radcliffe, Groff, and Mendez Talk MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG on CBS Sunday Morning
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 1, 2023
Video: First Look at Jeff Perry and Mark Ulrich in NO MAN'S LAND at Steppenwolf Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 26, 2023
Video: Full Cast and Creative Team Announced for NEW YORK, NEW YORK; Plus Watch a New Trailer!
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 1, 2023
Video: Rehearsals Begin For LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS in London
by Stephi Wild - Dec 14, 2022
Video: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman's WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND Returns at The Watermill Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2022
VIDEO: Go Behind the Scenes of Hampstead Theatre's THE DUMB WAITER in New Trailer
by Stephi Wild - Nov 27, 2020
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer For UNCLE VANYA, the Filmed Production Coming to Cinemas This Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2020
Broadway Rewind: Feel the Transylvania Mania with YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN!
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 31, 2020
TV: Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton & Charlie Cox Get Ready for Their Broadway Debuts in BETRAYAL!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 9, 2019
VIDEO: On This Day, March 5- Larry David's FISH IN THE DARK Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2019
News
Review: SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, Harold Pinter Theatre
For a family living in London, there is a diverse catalogue of Christmas shows ripe for attendance. With current ticket prices, picking the right show is crucial for both all-round enjoyment and the bank account. Slava’s Snow Show is back in London at the Harold Pinter Theatre, and if you’re looking for ridiculous fun, it’s a good choice. If you’re looking for something more substantial, however, stick with a panto.
For a family living in London, there is a diverse catalogue of Christmas shows ripe for attendance. With current ticket prices, picking the right show is crucial for both all-round enjoyment and the bank account. Slava’s Snow Show is back in London at the Harold Pinter Theatre, and if you’re looking for ridiculous fun, it’s a good choice. If you’re looking for something more substantial, however, stick with a panto.
TRUTH TO POWER CAFE Comes to Theatre Works
The Melbourne premiere of Jeremy Goldstein’s Truth to Power Café will be presented in February as part of Midsumma Festival at Theatre Works. Melbourne participants of all ages, experiences and backgrounds will speak their truth to power.
The Melbourne premiere of Jeremy Goldstein’s Truth to Power Café will be presented in February as part of Midsumma Festival at Theatre Works. Melbourne participants of all ages, experiences and backgrounds will speak their truth to power.
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards; BURLESQUE Leads Best Musical!
Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Photos: Brie Larson, Stockard Channing, and More in ELEKTRA
All new photos have been released from the rehearsal room of ELEKTRA, the UK Premiere production of the translation by award winning poet Anne Carson of Sophokles’s play. Check out the photos here!
All new photos have been released from the rehearsal room of ELEKTRA, the UK Premiere production of the translation by award winning poet Anne Carson of Sophokles’s play. Check out the photos here!
David Tennant Forced Off-Stage Mid-Show for Second Time as MACBETH Castmate Falls Ill
According to the Standard, David Tennant was forced off stage for the second time this week, after a castmate fell ill and an understudy had to take her place during Friday's penultimate performance of Macbeth, starring Tennant and Cush Jumbo.
According to the Standard, David Tennant was forced off stage for the second time this week, after a castmate fell ill and an understudy had to take her place during Friday's penultimate performance of Macbeth, starring Tennant and Cush Jumbo.
David Tennant’s MACBETH Interrupted by Disruptive Audience Member in London
A West End performance of Macbeth, starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, faced a 15-minute delay after an audience member disrupted the show at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
A West End performance of Macbeth, starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, faced a 15-minute delay after an audience member disrupted the show at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - THE MUSICAL Cast Announced At Theatre Royal Bath
Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with Universal Theatrical Group have announced casting for the World Premiere of brand-new musical Alfred Hitchcock Presents – The Musical at Theatre Royal Bath from 22 March to 12 April 2025.
Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with Universal Theatrical Group have announced casting for the World Premiere of brand-new musical Alfred Hitchcock Presents – The Musical at Theatre Royal Bath from 22 March to 12 April 2025.
Latest Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW UK / West End Awards
Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
John Lithgow-Led GIANT Tickets Go on Sale Today
The West End transfer of the Royal Court Theatre’s production of GIANT starring John Lithgow will go on sale at 12pm on 9 December. Learn more about how to get tickets to the upcoming production here!
The West End transfer of the Royal Court Theatre’s production of GIANT starring John Lithgow will go on sale at 12pm on 9 December. Learn more about how to get tickets to the upcoming production here!
Jodie Comer-Led PRIMA FACIE Coming to National Theatre at Home Library
Theatrical streaming service National Theatre at Home has announced the arrival of the Jodie Comer-led Prima Facie to the platform, available to stream beginning December 12, for a limited time.
Theatrical streaming service National Theatre at Home has announced the arrival of the Jodie Comer-led Prima Facie to the platform, available to stream beginning December 12, for a limited time.
Interview: Actor Producer Charlie MacGechan of Run At It SHOUTING
An Actor / Producer / Executive talks about how he got started, what he's done and what the future might hold.
An Actor / Producer / Executive talks about how he got started, what he's done and what the future might hold.
BroadwayWorld's 2024 Christmas Book Gift Guide
Christmas is nearly here and there is no better time of year to dive into a new book. You're in luck, because theatre's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre history; check out BroadwayWorld's recommendations for books that every theatre lover will adore!
Christmas is nearly here and there is no better time of year to dive into a new book. You're in luck, because theatre's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre history; check out BroadwayWorld's recommendations for books that every theatre lover will adore!
BETRAYAL By Harold Pinter to Open at Sea View Playwright's Theatre
Opening the weekend of December 6, 2024, Sea View Playwright's Theatre in Staten Island, NY presents Betrayal, by Tony Award and Nobel Prize winning playwright Harold Pinter. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Opening the weekend of December 6, 2024, Sea View Playwright's Theatre in Staten Island, NY presents Betrayal, by Tony Award and Nobel Prize winning playwright Harold Pinter. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Critics' Choice: Cheryl Markosky's Best Shows of 2024
Grand dame Sian Phillips stealing the show, Adam Cooper giving an unexpected twirl and smaller theatre spaces punching above their weight. These are some of BroadwayWorld reviewer Cheryl Markosky's favourite theatre moments of 2024.
Grand dame Sian Phillips stealing the show, Adam Cooper giving an unexpected twirl and smaller theatre spaces punching above their weight. These are some of BroadwayWorld reviewer Cheryl Markosky's favourite theatre moments of 2024.
Full Cast Set for ELEKTRA Starring Brie Larson, Stockard Channing & More
The the full cast has been revealed for ELEKTRA, the UK Premiere production of the translation by award winning poet Anne Carson of Sophokles’s electrifying play. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
The the full cast has been revealed for ELEKTRA, the UK Premiere production of the translation by award winning poet Anne Carson of Sophokles’s electrifying play. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
GIANT Starring John Lithgow Will Transfer to the West End
The Royal Court Theatre's production of Mark Rosenblatt's GIANT will have a 14 week limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London's West End. Learn more about the show here!
The Royal Court Theatre's production of Mark Rosenblatt's GIANT will have a 14 week limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London's West End. Learn more about the show here!
HOW TO BREXIT GRACEFULLY To Premiere At The Chain Theatre
Thirdwing will present the world premiere of HOW TO BREXIT GRACEFULLY by Cameron Darwin Bossert, set in 1990, exploring personal and professional turmoil on a ferry between England and Ireland. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Thirdwing will present the world premiere of HOW TO BREXIT GRACEFULLY by Cameron Darwin Bossert, set in 1990, exploring personal and professional turmoil on a ferry between England and Ireland. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Stockard Channing, Marième Diouf, and More Join Brie Larson in ELEKTRA
Further casting has been announced for ELEKTRA, the UK Premiere production of the translation by award winning poet Anne Carson of Sophokles’s play. Learn more about who will star alongside Brie Larson.
Further casting has been announced for ELEKTRA, the UK Premiere production of the translation by award winning poet Anne Carson of Sophokles’s play. Learn more about who will star alongside Brie Larson.
Videos You Missed This Week: TEETH, SWEPT AWAY, and More
It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! Fall 2024 is here at last, which means that a whole new bunch of Broadway and off-Broadway shows are opening soon. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending November 1, 2024 with videos from Teeth, Swept Away, and more!
It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! Fall 2024 is here at last, which means that a whole new bunch of Broadway and off-Broadway shows are opening soon. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending November 1, 2024 with videos from Teeth, Swept Away, and more!
Exclusive Video: Watch a Scene From THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA on Broadway
The New York premiere of Jez Butterworth’s new play The Hills of California, directed by Sam Mendes, is currently playing Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. Get a first look at footage from the production here!
The New York premiere of Jez Butterworth’s new play The Hills of California, directed by Sam Mendes, is currently playing Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. Get a first look at footage from the production here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Harold Pinter written?
Harold Pinter has written 22 shows including The Pinter Plays (Playwright), Play/ The Lover (Playwright), The New Pinter Plays (Playwright), The Birthday Party (Playwright), Tea Party/ The Basement (Playwright), The Local Stigmatic (Playwright), Landscape/ Silence (Playwright), Old Times (Playwright), The Homecoming (Playwright), No Man's Land (Playwright), The Hothouse (Playwright), Old Times (Playwright), Other Places (Playwright), The Birthday Party (Playwright), Mountain Language (Playwright), Moonlight (Playwright), Ashes to Ashes (Playwright), Betrayal (Playwright), The Caretaker (Playwright), Celebration and The Room (Playwright), The Homecoming (Playwright), The Collection & A Kind of Alaska: Two Plays by Harold Pinter (Playwright).
What awards has Harold Pinter been nominated for?
Outstanding Revival (The Lortels) for The Collection & A Kind of Alaska, Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards), Outstanding Lifetime Achievement (The Lortels), The Society's Special Award (Olivier Awards), Best Revival of a Play or Comedy (Olivier Awards) for No Man's Land, Director of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Quartermaine's Terms, Best Foreign Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Betrayal, Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Betrayal, Best New Foreign Play (Drama Desk Awards) for No Man's Land, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for No Man's Land, Best Foreign Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Old Times, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Old Times, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Man in the Glass Booth, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Homecoming, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Homecoming, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Caretaker and Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for The Caretaker.
What awards has Harold Pinter won?
Harold Pinter has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include the Lebedev Special Award from the Evening Standard Awards, Outstanding Lifetime Achievement from The Lortels, and The Society's Special Award at the Olivier Awards. He won Best Foreign Play from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Betrayal," as well as Play of the Year at the Olivier Awards for the same work. Additionally, Pinter was honored with Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Homecoming," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "The Homecoming," and Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Caretaker."
Videos