WEST CHESTERFIELD, N.H.-Actors Theatre Playhouse (ATP), 21 Main St., will bring Harold Pinter’s play The Caretaker to local audiences for three weekends in July: Evening performances Fridays and Saturdays, July 10, 11, 17, 18, and Thursday through Saturday, July 23–25 begin at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances Sundays, July 12 and 19, begin at 2 p.m.
The Caretaker explores the delicate balance between comedy and psychological tension, said organizers in a news release. The play premiered in 1960 “and quickly established itself as a landmark work of 20th-century drama, cementing Pinter’s reputation as a master of the ‘comedy of menace.’” The play’s initial success was followed by a 1963 film, also know as The Guest, and it has since been translated into numerous languages and performed worldwide.
The work is celebrated for its innovative use of subtext, ambiguous dialogue, and the “Pinter pause” — a technique that “creates an atmosphere of simmering tension and psychological realism that challenges and captivates audiences more than six decades after its debut,” said organizers.
Aston, a quiet young man, invites Davies, an elderly drifter, into his ramshackle London flat. When Aston’s brother Mick arrives, he begins to question the old man’s intentions, resulting in knife threats, interior decorating schemes, and a broken Buddha.
ATP’s production features Geof Dolman as Davies, Leo Mousseau as Aston, and James Gelter as Mick. The production is directed by Gelter, with stage management by Brenda Seitz and props by Emmadora Boutcher.
Actors Theatre Playhouse has limited seating, so reservations are highly recommended. Visit atplayhouse.org to purchase tickets; contact actorstheatre25@gmail.com, 877-666-1855, for more information. All seats are $17.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.