In 2005 Nobel laureate Harold Pinter was committed to reading a selection of his poems at a benefit for a women’s shelter at St Stephen Walbrook Church in London, but illness had impaired his speaking voice. He asked Julian Sands to step in — on the condition of spending time together, rehearsing the works. Read more …
"Courageous, moving, and very funny. A wonderful evening, as Julian Sands tells the daunting tale of meeting Pinter and then reading his poems for him. A totally unexpected and delightful evening." Eric Idle
Sands continued to read Pinter's poems and prose, occasionally performing them at fundraising events. Now, under the direction of John Malkovich, Julian Sands will re-present the work as a celebration of Harold Pinter.
With reflections, commentaries and anecdotes drawn from their time together, Sands reveals how Pinter's poems form a potent and significant element of his literary legacy. Sands says: "In these spare but complex works there is an extraordinary revelation of subjective feeling - at once poignant, profound and often hilarious"It’s an enjoyable, uplifting, hour long voyage round Pinter’s life and times.
Visually it’s a rather static piece, with a sharply suited Sands rarely moving from the centre of the stage, but his voice is rich and measured and it easily fills the room, holding the audience rapt for the full hour.
Homage to Harold Pinter
The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh from Friday August 5, 2011, until Sunday August 21, 2011. 3.00pm. Tickets: £12.50(£11.50); £15(£14).