Sinister play keeps audience guessing

This week sees Bingley Little Theatre’s production of Harold Pinter’s Birthday Party.

The play is centred around a birthday party for Meg and Petey’s long-term lodger Stanley, and the inexplicable arrival of the sinister Goldberg and McCann.

Before the actors even begin, the set, costumes and effects help to both create and complement this production.

This is a sinister piece of drama that keeps the audience tied in knots, with surprising comic moments.

Notable performances all round, particularly from Jonny Tate and Tim Gatti as Goldberg and McCann, and Julian Freeman as the complex and subsequently crushed Stanley.

Delightful performances too from Gilly Rogers as the happy, oblivious and endearing Meg and Peter Hall with a dry, often comedic performance as Petey.

Pinter, as ever, sets you thinking what on earth is going on – some events do unravel, and some don’t, and there are a number of possibilities to work on. Whichever camp you find yourself in, the compendium of performances draw you in and keep you there.

This is not an easy piece to stage. Director Paul Chewins has done it justice.

Runs until Saturday.