{"product_id":"plays-one-by-harold-pinter","title":"'Plays: One' by Harold Pinter","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThis first volume gathers the plays in which Harold Pinter invented his own climate.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Birthday Party\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Room\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Dumb Waiter\u003c\/em\u003e remain the clearest early examples of what became known, rather too neatly, as the “comedy of menace”—situations where jokes, evasions and banalities do not relieve tension but manufacture it. Pinter’s characters rarely say what they mean, though that does not make the language vague. Quite the opposite: repetition, pauses, corrections and sudden shifts in tone become instruments of control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Birthday Party\u003c\/em\u003e, an apparently harmless boarding house is invaded by two interrogators whose authority requires no explanation. \u003cem\u003eThe Dumb Waiter\u003c\/em\u003e turns two hired killers waiting in a basement into a study of obedience, hierarchy and panic. \u003cem\u003eThe Hothouse\u003c\/em\u003e relocates the same machinery into an institution where administration itself has become deranged. Also included are \u003cem\u003eA Slight Ache\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eA Night Out\u003c\/em\u003e, the short pieces \u003cem\u003eThe Black and White\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Examination\u003c\/em\u003e, and Pinter’s essay “Writing for the Theatre.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethuen paperback, 1986 revised edition including \u003cem\u003eThe Hothouse\u003c\/em\u003e. Noticeable edge wear, creasing and rubbing to covers; pages age-toned, binding sound.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"bower studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45910498476115,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0689\/0268\/2707\/files\/Untitleddesign-2026-08-05T124207.389.png?v=1785897755","url":"https:\/\/bowerbooks.com\/products\/plays-one-by-harold-pinter","provider":"bower books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}