First performed in 1958, this was Pinter's second play. Ground-breaking for the time, it is still as affecting and disturbing now as it was back then.

The action takes place over a period of 24 hours on a sunny summer's morning, in Meg and Petey Boles' small and rather shabby seaside home (three bedrooms, but elevated in Meg's eyes, to a rather fine ‘guest house for gentlemen’).

The reclusive, unwashed Stanley, disturbed; prone to the occasional outburst, and possibly a former pianist, has been holed-up in this seaside villa for over a year, looked after by the motherly-but-simple Meg and kindly, long-suffering Petey.

Vibrant Lulu is a friendly young neighbour who brings colour and everyday cheerfulness into their lives, trying to snap Stanley out of his moody torpor.
This almost comedic situation takes a sinister turn upon the arrival of two mysterious strangers, seeking shelter at the Boles Guest House.....................

The tension relentlessly builds in this brilliant study of menace, paranoia, power-shifting and one man's descent into madness.
What a birthday party! (Well, Meg seemed to think it was a lovely party)