8 - 24 May 2008

On 19 May 1958 Harold Pinter’s first full-length play, The Birthday Party, opened at the Lyric Hammersmith. 8 performances later it had closed following almost entirely hostile reviews. The only positive review was by Harold Hobson in The Sunday Times but by the time it came out the play had closed.

50 years later The Birthday Party is considered
one of the masterpieces of twentieth-century drama and Harold Pinter is regarded as the world's greatest living playwright. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005. Exactly 50 years from that first opening, The Birthday Party returns to the Lyric in a brand new production for just 19 performances. Don’t miss your chance to see it.

Gala Performance — Mon 19 May
This special performance marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of The Birthday Party at the Lyric. For more details, call Jamie Lehrer on 020 8741 6819 or e-mail jamie.lehrer@lyric.co.uk 

Special Events 14 & 21 May (between the shows)

This celebration will also include a series of special events in which writers, actors, critics and directors pay tribute to Pinter's unique legacy. Click here for more details and join our e-list for regular updates.

For everyone 12+