November 11, 2015 – Old Times, the Harold Pinter (10/10/1930 to 12/24/2008) show brought to Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theatre directed by Douglas Hodge. It was last seen in New York in 1971. Opening Night – October 6, 2015, Closing – November 29,  2015. 70 minutes.

The show explores the relationship and fiery interaction between husband Deeley and wife Kate who live quietly until the arrival of an old flat-mate of Kate’s – Anna. The girls go around and around, reminiscing of days gone by. Deeley, left out of the girl talk keeps interjecting himself in an otherwise female world. The girls are close and jealousy abounds as tension rises and memories may or may not have actually happened.

Pinter, a great British playwright, writes plays that are difficult to pull off, due mainly to the slower pace relative to regular shows. Unfortunately Roundabout failed to pull it off, leaving the audiences mind to wander – how’s the lighting, are the sound cues being picked up, decor of the theatre……..! The acting was entirely acceptable, with talented actors but the direction despite the extensive experience of Mr. Hodge, failed. Why are they constantly yelling at each other? It is difficult to direct effectively a Pinter play, but when it is pulled off well, the results can be a spectacular, stunning and a memorable evening of theatre. In this performance it was none of the above and the main focus was looking at one’s watch to see how much longer the torture would go on.

Clive Owen – Deely – (Debut, West End – Romeo and Juliet, Design for Living, Closer, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg); Eve Best – Anna –  (The Homecoming, A Moon for the Misbegotten, West End – Hedda Gabler [Olivier Award], Anthony and Cleopatra, The Dutchess of Malfi, ‘Tis a pity She’s a Whore); Kelley Reiley – Kate – (Debut, West End – Piano/Forte, After Miss Julie, Othello) all do a good job and their talent comes through.

Douglas Hodge (Director) has a lot of history with Pinter and is an acclaimed actor – Cyrano de Bergerac and La Cage aux Folles for which he received a Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Awards. He has numerous other nominations. Unfortunately his vision for this Pinter show should not be repeated.

In summary, a show that has great actors and could be a masterpiece if done right. As an aside, I have acted in Pinter plays (not this one) and am very familiar and enjoy Pinter.