Melinda and I went to see this promenade play, or more accurately although I didn't realise at the time, 5 short plays, at the Brighton Town Hall. Brilliant venue for this as it really lent itself to the drama and sinister nature of the work.
As we waited outside beside two sleek dobermans tethered to a security guard wearing dark glasses we were handed a leaflet by what we thought was a passer by. Both turned out to be part of the play, the leaflet distributor turned out to be the leading man and victim of state initiatives implemented to modify citizen behaviour. One of the dogs savaged another actor during the performance. Although this was of course not seen it was all the more sinister for the audience having seen the dogs earlier.
An astonishing work that made you feel like a reluctant voyeur and afterwards I felt a little uncomfortable about my response to some of the action. The automatic wish to turn a blind eye and to not rock the boat made me feel slightly ashamed. That may be the response Pinter was aiming for.
Although not a laugh a minute I would recommend this thought provoking drama to anyone brave enough to test their own responses to repression.
I would totally agree. This was uncomfortable viewing, you felt as though you should intercede butultimately did as you were told. The fact that we were all tipped out onto the street at the end made the whole experience more believable and left you feeling stunned.
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