The Homecoming

Synopsis

From the exterior it is a quiet London suburban house occupied by a father and his sons. But inside this male dominated household lurks a hotbed of Vice, Lust and Violence. The third son Teddy arrives from America bringing with him his enigmatic new wife. She soon becomes the focus of fascination for the father and his sadistic sons. They have plans for her. But who is the manipulator and who the manipulated? Pinter's trademark exploration of underlying menace and irrational violence is at it's best in this classic of barely repressed sexuality.

Our Review:

Simon Tavener - 4 August 2011

Puccini's Tosca was once described by a critic as a “shabby, little Shocker”, and I do not think it would be unfair to describe Harold Pinter's 1964 play The Homecoming in similar terms. Two hours after leaving the theatre, I am still feeling somewhat dirty from having witnessed this extraordinary piece of writing.

It’s a testament to the power of Pinter's skill that this play can still provoke such an extreme reaction nearly half a century after the first performance. It is, in fact, the first time that I have enjoyed seeing one of his plays performed on stage - though “enjoyed” may not be quite the right word for such a visceral experience.

Tautly directed by David Farr, the production makes good use of the intimacy afforded by the Swan Theatre. I wondered how well the text would work with the thrust stage and the result is clearly a resounding success. The claustrophobia of the play is well-pr...

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Latest User Review

Paul Godfrey - 5 August 2011:

Yes - everybody knows it was 'shabby little shocker' - one of the most famous opera reviews of all time. The musicologist Joseph Kerman wrote it - check with him, he is alive and well and living in America....

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