Party Time

by Harold Pinter

Harold Pinter's play is set at a party in an elegant flat. Below, in the streets, there is a military presence, but most of the partygoers appear to be unconcerned by this. Pinter's other plays include "The Birthday Party", "The Caretaker", "The Homecoming" and "Mountain Language".

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Harold Pinter was a British playwright, screenwriter, director and actor. A Nobel Prize winner, Pinter was one of the most influential modern British dramatists with a writing career that spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party (1957), The Homecoming (1964) and Betrayal (1978), each of which he adapted for the screen. His screenplay adaptations of others' works include The Servant (1963), The Go-Between (1971), The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), The Trial (1993) and Sleuth (2007). He also directed or acted in radio, stage, television and film productions of his own and others' works.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1991, Harold Pinter's PARTY TIME is one of the most bitingly critical of his "political" plays. The scene is set up as a typical upper-class gala: "A large room. Sofas, armchairs, etc. People sitting, standing. A waiting with a drinks tray." Terry is telling Gavin about a wonderful private club and its pool and bar. Liz and Charlotte gossip about love affairs, and later Charlotte catches up with old acquaintaince Fred. All seems so pleasant.

But Pinter begins to inject small bits of dialogue that suggest not all is well in the society around them. The streets are deserted, some partygoers are upset at having to stop at a roadblock and show their papers. Dusty--Terry's wife--wonders what happened to her brother Jimmy, who seems to have disappeared, and is told: "Nothing's happened. Nobody is discussing it, sweetie. Do you follow me?" As the play climaxes, the partygoers are shown as high-ups in a barbaric regime, and Jimmy's fate is revealed. Pinter shows here that the privileged of the world must face some responsibility for repressive regimes, and that we all must work to ensure political freedom worldwide instead of hiding in an upper-class refuge.

Along with "Mountain Language", this may be the most successful of all of Pinter's plays of his overtly political era. Very recommended reading.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a disturbing play with subtle violence and mounting tensions.

[M Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

''Jimmy: Sometimes I hear things. Then it is quiet. I had a name, it was Jimmy. People called me Jimmy. That was my name. Sometimes I hear things and then everything is quiet. When it is quiet I can hear my heart. When the terrible noises go, I do not hear anything. Don't hear, don't breathe, I am blind. Then it is quiet. I can hear a heartbeat. It is probably not my heart beat, it is probably someone else's heartbeat. What am I? Sometimes a door bangs, I hear voices then it stops, everything stops, it all stops it, all closes, it closes down. A door shuts. It shuts down. It shuts. I see nothing at anytime anymore. I sit sucking the dark. It is what I have. The dark is in my mouth and I suck it. It is the only thing I have, is mine. It is my own. I suck it.''

This monologue gave me chills. Pinter was a genius.

[EME · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very short screenplay but it captures what is reality among different groups of people.
I didn't know what to expect from his work but I have to say I really enjoyed it. I may try to read more by him.

[Lil · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so short (which was maybe a good thing) but so good. It's such an easy read and it perfectly described the differences between society and its classes. Also, the ending was a really nice build-up. I would actually love to see the play in a theatre.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite realistic and strange as usual. Great build-up at the end of the play. I can see room for theatrical development..

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope

[جابر طاحون · Rating 3 out of 5]

أولي تجاربي مع بينتر ، " وقت الحفلة " الممتلئة بكوميديا السلوك الشائعة في المسرح الانجليزي .
بينتر بارع في توظيف الواقعية من دون الوقوع في فخ الحبكة المبتذلة .
وظّف في المسرحية صخب الحفلة لاخفاء الاهتمام الدفين بالأمن والخوف من المجهول ، وده متضحش غير في النهاية حين تنحسر ستائر النفاق الاجتماعي في الطبقة العليا .و أن المضيف الذي يزهو بامتيازه ماليًا و اجتماعيًا به نشاط سياسي من لون ما و أن الازعاج الشرطي ما هو إلا رمز من رموز الدولة البوليسية

[Jen(n) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Pinter.

(Pause)

I really love Pinter.

(Pause)

Party Time explores class, gender, war, patriarchy, politics. Would love to see it live.

[Fateme Beygi · Rating 2 out of 5]

نتونستم باهاش ارتباط بگیرم
مونولوگ انتهایی جیمز ملموس تر و بهتر از همه بود

[Tyler Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suck the dark. I suck it.

[Gilgamesh Nabeel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK but so short