Event—Adult Education

Masters of British Drama: The Plays of Harold Pinter

When asked what his plays were about, Harold Pinter famously replied, “The weasel under the cocktail cabinet.” Though he later came to regret this comment, there’s a certain truth to it: his work, filled with the comedy of menace, often combines two stories—one that is spoken and one that is not. This seminar will center on eight plays...

Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (May 7 at 9 am** – May 24 at 4 pm): $230
Regular Registration Price (May 24 at 4 pm – first day of class): $253

** Registration opens online at 9 am. Phone registration will be accepted starting at 10 am.

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

Register Online

Seminar Description

When asked what his plays were about, Harold Pinter famously replied, “The weasel under the cocktail cabinet.” Though he later came to regret this comment, there’s a certain truth to it: his work, filled with the comedy of menace, often combines two stories—one that is spoken and one that is not. This seminar will center on eight plays—The Birthday Party, The Dumbwaiter, The Caretaker, The Collection, The Homecoming, Old Times, No Man’s Land, and Betrayal—that together helped give meaning to the term “Pinteresque.”

Six sessions. E – $230, L – $253

Douglas Post is an award-winning playwright whose works have been produced around the world. He has taught at Northwestern University, DePaul University, and Victory Gardens Theater. He currently teaches playwriting at Chicago Dramatists and serves on the Council for the Dramatists Guild of America.

Materials List

Required:

  • Harold Pinter, Complete Works, Volume 1. Grove Press, 1976. ISBN: 978-0802150967
  • Harold Pinter, Complete Works, Volume 2. Grove Press, 1977. ISBN: 978-0802132376
  • Harold Pinter, Complete Works, Volume 3. Grove Press, 1978. ISBN: 978-0802150509
  • Harold Pinter, Complete Works, Volume 4. Grove Press, 1981. ISBN: 978-0802150509

First Reading:

  • For the first class, please read "The Birthday Party" from Complete Works, Volume 1.

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.