The Birthday Party
by Harold Pinter
What readers are saying
Readers appreciate the complexity and thought-provoking nature of 'The Birthday Party'. Many enjoy Pinter's unique style, blending humor with horror in a surreal, ambiguous plot. Some find the play unsettling but captivating, effectively exploring themes of identity and authority through cleverly crafted dialogue. However, a few readers struggle with its absurdity and lack of clear meaning, feeling confused by the narrative.
Synopsis
Stanley Webber is visited in his boarding house by strangers, Goldberg and McCann.
An innocent-seeming birthday party for Stanley turns into a nightmare.
The Birthday Party was first performed in 1958 and is now a modern classic, produced and studied throughout the world.
Press Reviews
"The most interesting play to be seen on Broadway."
— The New York Times
"Behind the surface symbolism...in the silence between the characters and their words, Pinter opens the door to another world, cogent and familiar: the part we hide from ourselves."
— Denver Post
Characters
| Character |
|---|
Meg A woman in her sixties |
Stanley A man in his late thirties |
Lulu A girl in her twenties |
Goldberg A man in his fifties |
Mccann A man of thirty |
Petey A man in his sixties |
Videos
PINTER'S THE BIRTHDAY PARTY Part 2 of 4
Available Editions
Publication
The Birthday Party is a British play written by Harold Pinter and published by Faber & Faber (1991).
Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books.
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Buy Play
Paperback
Faber & Faber · 1991 · 96 pp
Digital prices may vary by region and tax jurisdiction.
Performance Rights
Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
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