Overview

Synopsis

The Lover is a quirky, tense, intriguing one-act by Harold Pinter that examines the private intricacies of modern marriage. To all outward appearances, Sarah and Richard are a respectable, conventional suburban couple. Behind closed doors, however, the couple enjoys a surprising and intriguing arrangement: every day, while Richard is at work, Sarah’s lover comes to the house. Richard, meanwhile, frequents a prostitute in the city. Yet, the two speak openly to one another of their extramarital affairs without jealousy, judgement, or anger. As we learn more about Sarah and Richard’s affairs, we see how a modern married couple has found an unconventional way to cope with extramarital temptation. Like any of Pinter’s works, this one-act contains the laughs, tears, and tensions that arise from the social intricacies of modern life.

Show Information

Book
Harold Pinter
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1963
Genres
Drama
Settings
Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
summer, a detached house near windsor, england
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Samuel French
Ideal For
professional theatre, regional theatre, university / college theatre, community theatre, one act festival, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Richard

Lead

Male

Spoken

Sarah

Lead

Female

Spoken

John

Featured

Male

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Marielle Renée Rousseau

Marielle Renée Rousseau