Saturday Play - The Caretaker

David Warner and Daniel Mays star in Harold Pinter's dark comedy. The late author was considered to be one of the most prominent and influential of British dramatists of the last century. And this play is considered by many critics to be his finest. The style and comedy employed are reminiscent of post-war European drama, especially the plays of Samuel Beckett. That said, this is a powerful and original play. Aston (Tony Bell) rescues Davies (David Warner) an elderly, homeless man from a fight in a cafÃ(c) and brings him home to recover. The tramp tells of the hiding he would have had from one of the cafÃ(c) staff if Aston hadn't intervened. Aston also had trouble in the same cafÃ(c) some time ago. The men bond. The old man's past is murky. He lives under an assumed name and seems unsure of his real identity. He talks of going to Sidcup to get his papers, to confirm the matter. Aston offers Davies the job of caretaker of the dingy West London house, owned by Aston's brother Mick (Daniel Mays). Davies is reluctant to accept the job and the responsibility involved. Even when Mick arrives and repeats the offer. Perhaps Davies realises it is not just the building he might have to care-take. This is confirmed at the play's darkly comedic climax which puts the situation and the characters into perspective. Cast: David Warner (Davies), Daniel Mays (Mick), Tony Bell (Aston). Directed by Peter Kavanagh.