Krapp last tape harold pinter biography

Occasionally, even critics realise that they are privileged to have the opportunity to witness something that transcends a mere piece of drama.

This is a very special revival. If anyone could be said to be the perfect collaborator for a play by this year's centenarian Samuel Beckett, that man is Harold Pinter. The location is also fitting since this play made its English debut here and both men have had long connections with the Royal Court, currently celebrating the English Stage Company's Golden Jubilee.

The opening night audience symbolised the importance of the event, had there been any doubt, with the actor (this time around)'s wife, Lady Antonia Fraser in the front row, Sir Peter Hall (whose latest Waiting for Godot opened earlier in the week) not too far back and other big theatre names in an audience smaller than the actor's years.

Retiring Artistic Director Ian Rickson's production, which may prove to be a Court swansong for Pinter the actor as well