

The Caretaker
By Harold Pinter
Sat 8 Jun - Sat 13 JulAbout The Caretaker
Justin Audibert's beautifully paced revival boasts Ian McDiarmid on superb form
Daily Telegraph
Mesmerising. A first class production, five stars on every level
Theatre SouthEast
Audibert is working with some terrific talent on stage to bring this bleak tragicomedy to blistering life
WhatsOnStage
Fascinating
Daily Mail
Gallery
We’re in London, at the tail end of the 1950s, in a derelict room stuffed with junk, detritus and a bucket for the leaky ceiling. Enter two men: the room’s occupant, the gentle and damaged Aston, and Davies, a mercurial drifter whom Aston has brought in from the streets. Soon they’re joined by the building’s owner, Aston’s brother: the explosively unpredictable Mick.
What follows is a darkly comic, unsettling tango as the three men vie for territory, opportunity and control that remains tantalisingly out of reach.
Premiered in 1960, The Caretaker was Harold Pinter’s first major success and is now regarded as a landmark of 20th century drama, laced with astringent wit and unsentimental compassion.
Justin Audibert, Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, directs.
The cast is Adam Gillen (Amadeus National Theatre, ITV’s Benidorm) as Aston; Ian McDiarmid (Star Wars, Six Characters in Search of an Author CFT, Faith Healer Almeida and Broadway) as Davies; and Jack Riddiford (Romeo and Juliet Almeida Theatre, Jerusalem West End) as Mick.
Cast and creatives
Adam Gillen
AstonIan McDiarmid
DaviesJack Riddiford
Mick
Justin Audibert
Stephen Brimson Lewis
Simon Spencer
Jonathan Girling
Ed Clarke
Lucy Cullingford
Paul Benzing
Jessica Ronane CDG
Nicky Cox
John Page
Helen Flower
Jamie Owens
Sophie Sierra
Klare Roger
Hannah Lipton
In conversation: The Caretaker
Hear from our Artistic Director Justin Audibert in conversation with Adam Gillen, Ian McDiarmid and Jack Riddiford as they discuss Harold Pinter, the rehearsal process and bringing The Caretaker to the Minerva.
Booking info
About booking infoWe want you to feel welcome at CFT. You’ll find guidance on content here; please be aware that by reading this, elements of the plot may be revealed. Please note that this may be updated nearer the time of the production as staging details are confirmed.
If you have any questions or feedback, or would like further information, do email us at [email protected].
Content and themes
This production contains smoking, and infrequent strong and discriminatory language reflective of the period. There are mild depictions of threatened violence including a knife; and themes of homelessness, mental illness, electric shock therapy, and racism.
We want you to feel welcome at CFT. You’ll find guidance on content here; please be aware that by reading this, elements of the plot may be revealed. Please note that this may be updated nearer the time of the production as staging details are confirmed.
If you have any questions or feedback, or would like further information, do email us at [email protected].
Content and themes
This production contains smoking, and infrequent strong and discriminatory language reflective of the period. There are mild depictions of threatened violence including a knife; and themes of homelessness, mental illness, electric shock therapy, and racism.
PricingPreviews / Press Night, prices from
- pink
- £10
- yellow
- £23
- blue
- £35
All other performances, prices from
- pink
- £10
- yellow
- £33
- blue
- £45
Previews / Press Night, prices from
- pink
- £10
- yellow
- £23
- blue
- £35
All other performances, prices from
- pink
- £10
- yellow
- £33
- blue
- £45
Offers
Friends
- Supporters:
- £2 off full price tickets
- *Supporters season saver 4+ shows:
- 20% off full price tickets (available until 5 March)
- *Supporters season saver 6+ shows:
- 25% off full price tickets (available until 5 March)
Discounts and concessions
- *Season saver 3+ shows:
- 10% off full price tickets, see more details below
- Prologue season saver 4+ shows:
- Book Prologue tickets for three shows and get the fourth free (available until 5 March). All tickets must be booked and paid for in one transaction, maximum of two tickets per show.
- Over 60s, weekday performances:
- £2 off full price tickets
- Full-time students in higher education, Jobseekers Allowance and Universal Credit claimants weekday performances:
- Half Price
- Full-time students in higher education, Jobseekers Allowance and Universal Credit claimants weekday performances:
- Standby from one hour before the performance: £10.00
Families
- Family tickets, except Saturday evenings:
- Half Price for up to four U16s with every full price paying adult. Tickets must be booked and paid for in a single transaction. Just select the U16 option for the under 16 tickets in the basket and discounts will be applied at the checkout stage (after the basket)
Groups
- Groups 8+, Monday and Tuesday:
- £29 per ticket
- Groups 8+, Wednesday - Friday:
- £5 off each ticket
- Groups 40+, Wednesday - Friday:
- £8 off each ticket, plus a £5 ticket for the group organiser
Schools and student groups
- Schools and student groups 10+, weekday performances:
- £10.00 per ticket plus one free teacher ticket
Ticket prices
Listed prices, accurate at on sale, are subject to change in response to demand. Book early for the best prices.
Minerva Theatre
Discounts apply to top two price bands only
Some seating areas may not be available for all performances
Friends
Up to four discounted tickets per production
Groups
You can book up to ten tickets online, just keep your tickets at FULL PRICE and the discount (if applicable) will be applied at the basket. Want to book more? Email [email protected]
All tickets
Only one reduction applies per ticket, and all discounts are subject to availability and at the discretion of the Box Office. ID may be required for certain discounts and events. Discounts do not apply to Previews, Press Nights, Dementia Friendly, Relaxed or Gala performances
Tickets are non-refundable
If you return your tickets to the Box Office at least 48 hours before the performance, you can exchange your tickets for the same production on another date (subject to availability). There is a £2 exchange fee per ticket (unless included in your supporter benefits)
Access tickets may be available for Access Members
Log in to your account to see Access seats. Select the relevant Access tickets in the basket to receive your discount (where applicable)
£5 Prologue Tickets may be available for 16-30 year olds
Log in to your account to see Prologue seats
Get Involved
Purchase a digital copy of the programme
Explore the show in more detail with our programmes. The programme for The Caretaker includes a specially commissioned article on the background and previous productions of the play by the critic and Pinter biographer Michael Billington; an insight into the fear of the outsider prevalent during the period and reflected in the play; as well as rehearsal photos and biographies of the cast and creative team.
By clicking on BUY you'll be taken to Issuu's website. The programme will be available to read and download from their website and app.
Purchasing a digital programme does not include the purchase of a printed programme.