Pinteresque

Hackney born, Harold Pinter, is to London's theatre world what a bottle of Amarone is to mine: peerless. With the recent success of Pinter's People, recognition as the greatest living British writer, the current hit Dumb Waiter (Trafalgar Studios) and next week's opening of The Caretaker (Tricycle Theatre), he is showing us who is boss.

But public ego rubs aside, there can be no greater respect for a writer than imitation. As such, the legacy of Harold Pinter is also being bigged up at The Young Writers Festival at the Royal Court where newbie Alexandra Wood's play, The Eleventh Capital (cast pictured here) has just opened. The plot centres around the dynamics of power in relationships and is very Pinteresque: obscene rage and deft silences. You can read a plot review in The Guardian today (here) or The Evening Standard (here.)

I found the 60 minute piece captivating, and left the Royal Court with a pre kick-off level of anticipation about theatre's life beyond Harold Pinter. Not to mention, the audience was young, trendy and very London. Not old, Tory and from the Shires. Could the future look any brighter?

The Eleventh Capital
Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Until 10th March
£15, book here