Harold Pinter and the New British Theatre

(Hardback)

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Harold Pinter is universally described as "Britain's leading dramatist". This book evaluates the justification for this appellation. It examines his work in relation to changes taking place in the New British Theatre after the so-called theatrical revolution of 1956, and draws attention to those autobiographical experiences that have been transmuted into his art. Beginning with a look at the nature of British theatre prior to 1956, Peacock then describes Pinter's early life in the East End of London, his career as an actor, and his early writing. The discussion follows Pinter's life and work from "The Room" in 1957 to his most recent play, "Ashes to Ashes" in 1996. The author argues that although Pinter has not instigated an aesthetic revolution, he has, more significantly, through his representation of human behaviour, provoked a new way of viewing the world.

Reviews

.,."readers will gain a clear understanding of the interrelationships between Pinter's various writing activities, and in some cases, the impact of important political, social, or personal events on his writing."-Choice
...readers will gain a clear understanding of the interrelationships between Pinter's various writing activities, and in some cases, the impact of important political, social, or personal events on his writing.-Choice
[A] clear and concise re-presentation of Pinter's life and work.-Modern Drama
Harold Pinter and the New British Theatre is a good introduction to the career of Pinter, containing lengthy discussions of each play, interspersed with just enough biographical detail to provide a rounded picture of his life in the theatre.-Theatre Journal
"A clear and concise re-presentation of Pinter's life and work."-Modern Drama
..."readers will gain a clear understanding of the interrelationships between Pinter's various writing activities, and in some cases, the impact of important political, social, or personal events on his writing."-Choice
"[A] clear and concise re-presentation of Pinter's life and work."-Modern Drama
"Harold Pinter and the New British Theatre is a good introduction to the career of Pinter, containing lengthy discussions of each play, interspersed with just enough biographical detail to provide a rounded picture of his life in the theatre."-Theatre Journal

Author Bio

D. KEITH PEACOCK is Senior Lecturer in Drama at the University of Hull. He is author of Radical Stages: Alternative History in Modern British Drama (Greenwood, 1991). He teaches courses in directing and improvisation and has directed plays in Britain and the United States.