One of the 20th century’s most influential playwrights has died in London at age 78, after a seven-year battle with cancer. Pinter’s plays were famous for their emotional intricacy and underlying air of pent-up violence. He was so unique a writer that a new dictionary word was created in his spirit: “Pinteresque”, meaning emotionally complex, cryptic. Peter Hall, who has directed more Pinter than almost anybody, says that his characters use words to inflict wounds upon one another. Pinter was also known for his use of meaningful pauses in dialogue. When acting in one of his plays, new actors must first learn that those famous pauses are not simply pauses; they are choices, with intention. Acting has almost nothing to do with words. But it has had a lot to do with Harold Pinter. His death is a great loss to theatre.
