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Harold Pinter

Birth Place: ENGLAND

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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

Productions

Old TimesOld Times
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Playwright
Otherwise Engaged
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Director
The Innocents
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Director
The Man in the Glass Booth
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Director

Writing

Play/ The Lover
Playwright
Landscape/ Silence
Playwright
Playwright
The Homecoming
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Other Places
Playwright
Old Times
Playwright
The Birthday Party
Playwright
Playwright
Moonlight
Playwright
The Hothouse
Playwright
Ashes to Ashes
Playwright
Old Times
Playwright
No Man's Land
Playwright
The Homecoming
Playwright
The Caretaker
Playwright
Betrayal
Playwright

Movies

The Servant
[ 1963 ] People in restaurant: Society Man
The Guest
[ 1963 ] writer
The Pumpkin Eater
[ 1964 ] writer
The Quiller Memorandum
[ 1966 ] writer
Modesty Blaise
[ 1966 ] writer
Accident
[ 1967 ] Bell - TV Producer
The Birthday Party
[ 1968 ] writer
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
[ 1970 ] Steven Hench
The Go-Between
[ 1971 ] writer
The Homecoming
[ 1973 ] writer
The Last Tycoon
[ 1976 ] writer
The French Lieutenant's Woman
[ 1981 ] writer
Betrayal
[ 1983 ] writer
Turtle Diary
[ 1985 ] Man in Bookshop
Reunion
[ 1989 ] writer
The Comfort of Strangers
[ 1990 ] writer
The Handmaid's Tale
[ 1990 ] writer
The Trial
[ 1993 ] writer
Mojo
[ 1997 ] Sam Ross
Mansfield Park
[ 1999 ] Sir Thom Bertram
The Tailor of Panama
[ 2001 ] Uncle Benny
Sleuth
[ 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

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News


The MAP Theater to Present Revival of EXILES by James Joyce in February Photo
The MAP Theater to Present Revival of EXILES by James Joyce in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 31, 2025

The MAP Theater will present a rare revival of Exiles by James Joyce, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: THE YEARS at the Harold Pinter Theatre Photo
Photos: THE YEARS at the Harold Pinter Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 30, 2025

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam’s new Artistic Director Eline Arbo returns to direct her five-star, sold out  adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s critically acclaimed semi-autobiographical novel The Years. Check out all new photos here!
Full Cast Set For PLAYHOUSE CREATURES at the Orange Tree Theatre Photo
Full Cast Set For PLAYHOUSE CREATURES at the Orange Tree Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 30, 2025

With the world première of Howard Brenton's Churchill in Moscow currently in rehearsals, Orange Tree Theatre has announced the full cast for the upcoming revival of April De Angelis' Playhouse Creatures directed by Michael Oakley.
MACBETH Cast Announced At Shakespeare's Globe Photo
MACBETH Cast Announced At Shakespeare's Globe
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 28, 2025

Shakespeare’s Globe has announced the cast of this year’s Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank production, Macbeth, directed by Lucy Cuthbertson (Director of Education, Shakespeare’s Globe) in the Globe Theatre.
Photos: RSC's EDWARD II in Rehearsals Photo
Photos: RSC's EDWARD II in Rehearsals
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2025

All new rehearsal photos have been released for the RSC’s production of Christopher Marlowe’s rarely performed tragedy, Edward II, which runs in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon beginning next month.
Full Cast Set For Disney's HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Photo
Full Cast Set For Disney's HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
by Stephi Wild - Jan 24, 2025

Disney Theatrical Group has announced the full casting for Hercules which opens at Theatre Royal Drury Lane this June. Learn more about the production and cast here!
Rialto Chatter: Will GIANT Starring John Lithgow Transfer to Broadway? Photo
Rialto Chatter: Will GIANT Starring John Lithgow Transfer to Broadway?
by Stephi Wild - Jan 24, 2025

With the John Lithgow-led play Giant transferring to the West End in April, it may have its sights set on Broadway next. Learn more about the future of this new play about Roald Dahl here.
Photos: THE YEARS in Rehearsal at the Harold Pinter Theatre Photo
Photos: THE YEARS in Rehearsal at the Harold Pinter Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam’s new Artistic Director Eline Arbo will return to direct her five-star adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s critically acclaimed semi-autobiographical novel The Years. Check out rehearsal photos here!
Full Cast Set For London Première of FAREWELL MISTER HAFFMANN at Park Theatre Photo
Full Cast Set For London Première of FAREWELL MISTER HAFFMANN at Park Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

The cast has been announced for the London première of Jean-Philippe Daguerre's Farewell Mister Haffmann adapted by Jeremy Sams. Learn more about the show here!
REP Kicks Off 88th Season with I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE Photo
REP Kicks Off 88th Season with I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE
by Oliver Oliveros - Jan 20, 2025

Repertory Philippines (REP), one of the leading forces in Philippine theater, has announced its 88th Season, which opens with 'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change' (Feb. 20-March 9). Directed by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, the romantic comedy premiered on the REP stage last year and is one of Off-Broadway’s longest-running musical revues.
Harold Pinter's BETRAYAL Begins Performances At Goodman Theatre In February Photo
Harold Pinter's BETRAYAL Begins Performances At Goodman Theatre In February
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 17, 2025

Goodman Theatre will present Artistic Director Susan V. Booth's new production of Harold Pinter's Nobel Prize-winning drama, Betrayal. Starring Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Helen Hunt, Tony Award winner Robert Sean Leonard, and Tony Award nominee and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Ian Barford.
Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen Will Join West End Cast of WICKED Photo
Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen Will Join West End Cast of WICKED
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2025

WICKED has announced its full new London cast who are set to begin performances at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in March. Learn more about the full cast here!
Interview: Nick Freed Announces Plans for Glass Elevator's Inaugural Season in 2025 Photo
Interview: Nick Freed Announces Plans for Glass Elevator's Inaugural Season in 2025
by James Lindhorst - Jan 15, 2025

Nick Freed is joining artistic forces with Kay Ailee Bush, Summer Baer, and Kayla Lindsay to create Glass Elevator’s first full season. Freed shared that there are richly gifted professionals in St. Louis who are eager to experiment and create cool new things. Glass Elevator will open its season in July with a new play development series called their “Ground Floor Series” that will feature a play that is 90-minutes or less. They will begin accepting script submissions in February from emerging St. Louis playwrights. Following their summer production, Glass Elevator will stage VAMPIRE DATING SHOW in the fall, a devised production that is based around a captivating vampire mistress in a macabre dating show parody set in a surreal gothic style studio.
PRIMA FACIE, MACBETH, And More National Theatre Live Screenings Announced At Shakespe Photo
PRIMA FACIE, MACBETH, And More National Theatre Live Screenings Announced At Shakespeare Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 10, 2025

Shakespeare Theatre Company has announced National Theatre Live screenings coming to Harman Hall this February. Kicking off the month of screenings is The Donmar Warehouse production of Macbeth: David Tennant & Cush Jumbo.
Cast Set For RSC's EDWARD II Photo
Cast Set For RSC's EDWARD II
by Stephi Wild - Jan 9, 2025

Casting has been announced for the RSC’s forthcoming production of Christopher Marlowe’s rarely performed tragedy, Edward II, which runs in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Mindi Dickstein and Carmel Dean's New Musical MAIDEN VOYAGE Will Have Workshop at The Photo
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by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2025

 New Works Provincetown and Shared Experience will present a workshop in London of the new musical Maiden Voyage with book and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and Carmel Dean.
Full Cast Set For MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell Photo
Full Cast Set For MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2025

The Jamie Lloyd Company has announced the full cast for William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!
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Steve Forrest’s Exhibition 'What We See is Not Always Black and White' Comes to Warrington
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2025

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Full Cast Set For BACKSTROKE At The Donmar Warehouse Photo
Full Cast Set For BACKSTROKE At The Donmar Warehouse
by Stephi Wild - Jan 6, 2025

The full company has been set for the world premiere of Anna Mackmin's new play, Backstroke – joining the previously announced Tamsin Greig and Celia Imrie are Lucy Briers, Anita Reynolds and Georgina Rich.
Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024

This is the last 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 favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
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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 won several awards, including the Lebedev Special Award from the Evening Standard Awards, and the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award from The Lortels. He received The Society's Special Award at the Olivier Awards, as well as the Best Foreign Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for his work on Betrayal. Pinter's play Betrayal also won Play of the Year at the Olivier Awards. Additionally, he was awarded Best Play from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for The Homecoming, the Best Play Tony Award for The Homecoming, and the Best Play award from the Evening Standard Awards for The Caretaker.

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