This content is from Wikipedia. GradeSaver is providing this content as a courtesy until we can offer a professionally written study guide by one of our staff editors. We do not consider this content professional or citable. Please use your discretion when relying on it.
Production History
Premiere
In 27 April 1960, the first production of The Caretaker opened at the Arts Theatre, in London, prior to transferring to the West End's Duchess Theatre on 30 May 1960. It starred Donald Pleasance as Davies, Alan Bates as Mick, and Peter Woodthorpe as Aston. The productions received generally strong reviews.[8]
Other notable productions and major revivals
- [Information about some productions comes from the section on The Caretaker in HaroldPinter.org.]
- 1962 – Lyceum Theatre, New York City, on 4 October 1962 by Roger L. Stevens, Frederick Brisson, and Gilbert Miller. Directed by Donald McWhinnie. Setting: Bert Currah, Sets Supervised and lighting: Paul Morrison, Production Supervisor: Fred Herbert, Stage Manger: Joel Fabiani[citation needed]
- Cast: Alan Bates (Mick), Donald Pleasence (Davies), and Robert Shaw (Aston).
- 1981 – Royal National Theatre. Directed by Kenneth Ives.
- Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Kenneth Cranham, and Warren Mitchell
- 1991 – Comedy Theatre, London. Directed by Harold Pinter.
- Cast: Donald Pleasence, Peter Howitt and Colin Firth
- 1993 – The Studio Theatre, Washington, D.C. 12 September–24 October 1993
- Cast: Emery Battis, Richard Thompson, John Tindle.[9]
- 2000 – Comedy Theatre, London, November 2000 – February 2001. Directed by Patrick Marber. Designer, Rob Howell; lighting, Hugh Vanstone; sound, Simon Baker (for Autograph Sound). Associate Director, Gari Jones
- Cast: Michael Gambon (Davies), Rupert Graves (Mick), and Douglas Hodge (Aston)
- 2003 – Roundabout Theatre Company, New York City. Directed by David Jones. Set design: John Beatty, Costume design: Jane Greenwood, Lighting: Peter Lezorowski. Design: Scott Lehrer.
- Cast: Patrick Stewart (Davies), Aidan Gillen (Mick), and Kyle MacLachlan (Aston).
- 2005 - Zephyr Theatre. Los Angeles. Directed by Matt Gottlieb.
- Cast Robert Mandan (Davies), Steve Spiro (Mick) and Jaxon Duff Gwillim (Aston).
- 2006 – Sheffield Theatres, part of UK tour in 2006–2007 season. Directed by Jamie Lloyd.
- Cast Nigel Harman, David Bradley, and Con O'Neill.[10][11]
- 2006–2007 – "Le gardien". Théâtre de l'Oeuvre. Transferred to the Théâtre de Paris. Directed by Didier Long.
- Cast: Robert Hirsch, Samuel Labarthe and Cyrille Thouvenin.
- 2007 – The English Theatre of Hamburg. Directed by Clifford Dean.
- Cast: Hayward Morse, Steven Lello, and Scott Smith.
- 2008 – Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis. Directed by Benjamin McGovern.
- Cast: Stephen Cartmell, Steven Epp, and Kris L. Nelson.
- 2009 – Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. Directed by Christopher Morahan. Cast: Jonathan Pryce as Davies, Peter McDonald as Aston and playing Tom Brooke as Mick.
- Introduction
- Origins and contexts of the play
- Setting
- Characters
- Synopsis
- Analysis of the characters
- Style
- Language
- Mode of drama: Tragicomedy
- Interpretation
- Production History
- Film adaptation
- Place of the play in educational curricula
- Notes
- Works cited
- Further reading




