Pinter (Harold) The Caretaker.
£225
A play in three acts
London, Encore Publishing, 1960.
True first edition (preceding the Metheun hardback edition of the same year). 8vo. Original wrappers. Accompanied by the souvenir programme for the first performance of the play at the Arts Theatre Club (27th April 1960).
The true first edition of Pinter’s play, issued by Encore Publishing in stapled wrappers ahead of the Methuen hardback published later the same year. The Caretaker was Pinter’s first significant commercial success, running for 444 performances after its Duchess Theatre transfer and establishing him, alongside Beckett, as a defining voice of the new British theatre. It was first performed at the Arts Theatre Club on 27 April 1960, with Alan Bates as Mick, Peter Woodthorpe as Aston and Donald Pleasence as Davies, the last two reprising their roles (alongside Robert Shaw as Aston) in Clive Donner’s 1963 film version.
In stock
Ink name to head of title-page, some minor marking; some toning and spotting to wrappers, slightly notable to some of the upper cover’s white lettering.
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