SOURCE: Kellaway, Kate. “A Party for Pinter.” New Statesman 129, no. 4480 (3 April 2000): 43-4.

In the following review, Kellaway asserts that Pinter's The Room and Celebration, produced as a double-bill, are marvelous companion pieces.

Here it is—a showcase of Harold Pinter's career. His first play, The Room, written in 1957, and his new play, Celebration, are at the Almeida Theatre together, directed by the man himself. But would it prove a celebration? “I am so glad not to be reviewing this,” someone murmured behind me, “because you could never say what you really thought of it.” The implication was clear: Pinter has put himself beyond blame. I suffer from no such inhibition, but have no need to struggle with myself either. I was bowled over by the evening.

The Room is beautifully acted and directed. It is an almost perfect play, and its originality does not date. Perhaps this is...