The Pinter Project
Book Tickets and find out about the Lyric Theatre's current productions here
Exercises...
1. A pause for thought...
Did you know?
There are 149 pauses in 'The Caretaker'.
Here is an example from 'The Caretaker' where Pinter uses several different types of pauses.
ASTON: More or less exactly what you...
DAVIES: That's it ... that's what I'm getting at is...
I mean, what sort of jobs ... (Pause)
ASTON: Well, there's things like the stairs ...
and the ... the bells ...
DAVIES: But it'd be a matter ... wouldn't it ... it'd
be a matter of a broom ... isn't it?
Look at a section of Pinter's script. How many different kinds of pauses can you identify? Think about conversations you have had yourself. Why do we pause when talking in everyday life?
2. Mise en scene...
Watch this short excerpt from the 1963 film of 'The Caretaker''
Compare the above clip with the Lyric's version.
1. What similarities and differences are there in the actors' portrayal of the characters?
2. Compare the set and costume and presentation with the descriptions in the script. Why do you think Pinter has chosen these particular objects?
3. Write a review
We would like students to write a review of our performance. Click the link below for some guidance from Jane Coyle, theatre critic for The Stage newspaper and The Irish Times.
Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter was born in East London on 10th October 1930.
He is best known as a playwright and over the course of his career he wrote twenty-nine plays and twenty-one screenplays. He also directed twenty-seven theatre productions. He also wrote poetry, comedy sketches and articles and he actually began his theatre career as an actor.
Throughout his life Pinter was a political activist championing the rights of ordinary people and speaking out against the abuse of state power around the world.
Harold Pinter-Click here to see more pictures of Pinter from 'The Guardian'
'The Caretaker'
by Harold Pinter
Directed by Carol Moore
Richard Dormer as Aston Niall Cusack as Davies Peter Ballance as Mick
The Caretaker is a funny and unsettling three hander which sees a new arrival at the home of Aston. Davies is tolerated at first as harmless and in need of help. Aston and his brother Mick each (separately) offer him the job of caretaker in the flat, and even when he is sour and ungrateful, Aston and to a lesser extent Mick put up with him. But when Davies tries to play one brother off against the other the two brothers unite and show Davies the door.
The Lyric presents script-in-hand performances of Pinter's groundbreaking play.
Dates, Times & Prices:
Thurs 21– Fri 22 Jan 2010
Elmwood Hall
Thurs 11am– Fri, 11am & 7.30pm
All tickets £5
The Project
Project directors: Jason Maher & Genevieve Swift, Theatre Without Walls
This project was designed and delivered by Theatre Without Walls for The Lyric Theatre, Belfast. The project was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of this modern classic and it culminated in open rehearsed readings of this enthralling Pinter masterpiece. This project's aim was to have a qualitative interaction with the Lyric’s young audiences and to give teachers a substantive project on which to base their drama curriculum work. The main part of this programme took place through school sessions and an interactive online forum prior to and after seeing a rehearsed reading of the play.
Core Project Schools:
Antrim Grammar School, Antrim
Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch
Cambridge House Grammar, Ballymena
Kilkeel High School, Kilkeel
New-Bridge Integrated College, Loughbrickland
St. Columbanus' College, Bangor
St. Patrick's High School, Keady
Sullivan Upper School, Hollywood
-many other schools used the project resources and attended performances.
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