Harold Pinter and the New British Theatre

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.