The Caretaker

Harold Pinter may be best known as the writer who uses pauses and silences.

And that's a shame, because, as The Caretaker so clearly shows, his greatest strength lies in creating fantastic characters and edgy, brilliant dialogue. The production at the Citizens' relishes in these aspects.

Somewhere in London sits a derelict flat filled with a hodgepodge of junk. This flat has alternate meanings to three different men. For Aston, it's a home filled with intriguing projects that never seem to get completed. For Davies, it's comfortable shelter that's a bit too close to 'undesirables'. And for Mick, it's an opportunity to make money.

The play is less about plot and more about how each character relates with the flat and each of the others. And as plot has little relevance, the production's success lies in the three performances, all of which are excellent.

Watching each character exist on stage is a joy, not only in revelling in Pinter's wonderful dialogue but in watching how they engage with each other and the environment.

For this, all three actors - Robert Hastie as Aston, Tam Dean Burn as Davies and Eugene O'Hare as Mick - should be commended. Even if some of the scenes don't make logical sense, thanks to their creative work the evening is never boring.

Director Phillip Breen should be praised for his sharp direction, not only in movement but in orchestrating line delivery. Half of the brilliance of the production isn't in how it looks but in how the lines are delivered in pace, tempo and stress. Breen has worked well with his actors, creating a dramatic landscape that is both comical and mysterious. Anything can happen, and any action could have multiple interpretations.

What's also impressive is how excellent the design is. Max Jones's set is far more complicated than it first appears, and it gives ample opportunity for each character to interact with their surroundings. Tina Machugh's lighting design and Matilda Brown's sound design are equally effective, giving the right ambiance to the production.

The Caretaker is not an easy piece to watch because it requires the audience to do a bit more work than usual. However, those willing to engage with it will not only be highly rewarded with some of recent Scottish theatre's best performances, but will also enjoy one of modern theatre's finest scripts.