The Caretaker

The Caretaker is a play by English playwright Harold Pinter [1], (1930-2008). It is a psychological study of the confluence of power, allegiance, innocence, and corruption among two brothers and a tramp and it became Pinter's first significant commercial success. It premiered at the Arts Theatre Club in London's West End on 27 April 1960. In 1964, a film version of the play based on Pinter's unpublished screenplay was directed by Clive Donner. The movie starred Alan Bates as Mick and Donald Pleasence as Davies in their original stage roles.

Published by Methuen (2nd revised ed., 1962)

Performance history in South Africa

1960: First directed in South Africa by Leonard Schach and performed by his Cockpit Players at the Hofmeyr Theatre November 1960. It was performed a few months after it premiéred in England, before it was seen by any other country, and toured South Africa. Cast members included Michael McGovern, Nigel Hawthorne and Siegfried Mynhardt as Davies. Decor by Pamela Lewis.

1970: Directed by Anthony Fagin for the University of Cape Town Dramatic Society at the Arena Theatre, Hiddingh Campus, July 1970.

1975: Another important production was directed by Keith Grenville for The Space (Cape Town) opening 20 February (in the Outer Space). Only club members were allowed to attend the performances which featured Bill Curry (Davies), Vincent Ebrahim (Aston) and Jonathan Sherwood (Mick), with designs by George Duffy.

1991: James Borthwick as Aston and Michael McCabe as Davies, 1991, directed by Jacqui Singer, Johannesburg.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Dutch by Gerard K. van het Reve, entitled De Huisbewaarder.

Sources

Wikipedia [2].

Cape Times 27 July 1970.

Inskip, 1977. p 122.

Astbury 1979.

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