A Night Out (play)
| Industry | Theatre, Television |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Harold Pinter |
| Products | Play, Television adaptation |
A Night Out is a theatrical work written in 1959 by Harold Pinter. The narrative centers on Albert Stokes, a lonely office employee who resides with his domineering mother. Following an unfounded allegation made during a workplace gathering, Albert meets a young woman who invites him to her apartment, where he responds with hostility before eventually going back home.
The play's first presentation occurred on the BBC Third Programme on 1 March 1960, with Barry Foster portraying Albert Stokes, Pinter taking on the role of Seeley, and Vivien Merchant playing the Girl.
Its first television adaptation aired on 24 April 1960 through ABC Weekend TV's Armchair Theatre, representing Pinter’s significant breakthrough into television drama and drawing an unprecedented viewership of 6.4 million households.
The main production team at ABC included:
- Director: Philip Saville
- Producer: Sydney Newman
- Designer: Assheton Gorton
Leading cast members:
- Tom Bell as Albert Stokes
- Madge Ryan as Mrs Stokes
- Harold Pinter (credited as David Baron) as Seeley
- Vivien Merchant as the Girl
- Arthur Lowe as Mr King
- Stanley Meadows as Gidney