Also, Michael Billington, a Pinter biographer, interviewed the playwright right before he acted in the above production. Here is that interview from The Guardian:
In 1967, an anonymous woman, confused and frustrated after watching a production of one of Harold Pinter’s earliest plays, The Birthday Party, wrote a letter to the playwright:
Dear Sir,
I would be obliged if you would kindly explain to me the meaning of your play The Birthday Party.These are the points which I do not understand: 1. Who are the two men? 2. Where did Stanley come from? 3. Were they all supposed to be normal?You will appreciate that without the answers to my questions I cannot fully understand your play.
Pinter responded to the letter with the following:
Dear Madam,
I would be obliged if you would kindly explain to me the meaning of your letter.These are the points which I do not understand: 1. Who are you? 2. Where do you come from? 3. Are you supposed to be normal?You will appreciate that without the answers to these questions I cannot fully understand your letter.
In 2005, Harold Pinter was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Upon hearing that he would be the recipent of this most prestigious award, he was interviewed by Marika Griehsel, a freelance journalist, on October 13, 1985. Here is a transcript of their conversation:
- Hello. Good morning.
- Good morning, good morning, Mr Pinter. Congratulations. I’m calling from the official website of the Nobel Foundation.
- Yes. Well, thank you very much.
- It’s fantastic news for us here; and I would like to hear what your thoughts were when you received the news.
- Well, I’ve … I’ve been absolutely speechless. I am … I’m overwhelmed by the news, very deeply moved by the news. But I can’t really articulate what I feel.
- You didn’t have any idea it could come your way, did you?
- No idea whatsoever! No. So I’m just bowled over.
- There’s so much to talk about. But I would like just to ask you what, in your career, you think has been the most important, what has the most …
- I cannot answer … I can’t answer these questions.
- No, I understand.
- There’s nothing more I can say, except that I am deeply moved; and, as I say, I have no words at the moment. I shall have words by the time I get to Stockholm.
- You will be coming to Stockholm?
- Oh, yes.
- Okay. Thank you, Sir.
- Okay?
- Thank you.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
To read Pinter’s fascinating Nobel Lecture, check out:
John Townsend and Dixie Treichel invited Jeffry Lusiak onto their weekly queer radio show, Fresh Fruit. Fresh Fruit is a signature program on community radio station KFAI, the longest running queer radio program in the US, and one of the best sources for Minneapolis arts coverage!
In the Mpls Pinter Studies, Jeffry Lusiak is directing Family Voices. He is transforming a section of the building into an audio installation as the world of Harold Pinter’s 1980 radio play is excavated with distorted memories, fregmented objects and letters from a mother and son yearning to connect.
Also featured on the show are local director, Claire Avitable and Edward Albee!
Here’s a link to the archive! It will be available for two weeks!
We’ve been making a lot of discoveries! Moving our laboratory into the Colonial Warehouse Building, Pinter’s words are bringing intriege and suspense into common spaces.
Seating is limited, so make a reservation today (no you will not have to sit on the floor).
Call 612.619.2112
Here are some pictures (many thanks to Ty Sassman)!
Camilla leads the company through the catacombs of the building in Terry Hempleman's "The Black and White"
Todd Janssen rehearses Blake E. Bolan's These are the Men
The company observes a rehearsal
Sheila Regan rehearses Maggie Scanlan's One for the Road
Michael Ooms rehearses "One for the Road"
Jeffry Lusiak listens carefully to his audio installation "Family Voices"
Just one month away from our opening weekend, we’re please to announce the a party celebrating Harold Pinter and the indulgent and sly styles of the Swinging 60s!
BLOODY BOSSA NOVA
Friday the 13th at 9:30
at the Interact Center
212 3rd Avenue North
Following the performance, enter thorough the Inside Out Gallery on North 2nd Street.
