Tamsin Greig is lost in a ‘Landscape’ separate from her husband, Keith Allen
It’s ten years since the death of Harold Pinter (British playwright, director and actor) and all his short plays, alongside a selection of his poems and sketches, are being performed at the London theatre named after him.
Pinter Three is comprised of three pieces ‘Landscape’, ‘A Kind of Alaska’ and ‘Monologue’ and runs side by side with Pinter Four until early December 2018. The season continues without much of a break through to the Spring 2019.
“an ideal opportunity to indulge
in some unsettling social voyeurism
Entering the auditorium for Pinter Three the stage is instantly striking; a simplistic cube frame with a small number of moving slats creates an uncomplicated abstract space. The simplicity of the set provides an ideal opportunity to indulge in some unsettling social voyeurism, watching a world created by Pinter. Even as the audience are still taking their seats Tamsin Greig enters the stage clutching a drink. Completely washed out – almost ghostly, her eyes leak a sadness that infects the room.
Keith Allen cuts a lonely figure at The Pinter theatre
The first performance was ‘Landscape’. Keith Allen and Tamsin Greig sit together but are worlds apart. From the moment Keith Allen begins to speak, fuelled by an internal rhythm, he is in complete opposition to Greig, who is lost in a single beautiful memory.
Joining in the fun opposite Tom Edden is Meera Syal
Tom Edden (recently seen as Emperor Joseph II in Amadeus at the National) delivers performances of pure brilliance throughout the course of the evening. His rendition of ‘Girls’ has the audience howling at his very British sexual repression. Comedic excellence which, when played opposite the innocence of Meera Syal, creates a delightful chemistry.
There’s plenty of laughs still to be had, courtesy of the inimitable Lee Evans
An unexpected highlight of the evening is ‘That’s All’ with Keith Allen, the intensely physical Lee Evans, and a silent (though ever-present) Tom Edden as gossiping old ladies in matching wigs. Evans and Allen have bounce off each other with concise dialogue and perfect comic timing. These ‘grotesques’ keep the audience in the palms of their hands, tickling them relentlessly.
Pinter at The Pinter
Panton St
SW1Y 4DN
t: 0844 871 7622 (Box Office)
w: www.pinteratthepinter.com
