Homage to Harold Pinter

Despite their wildly differing politics, John Malkovich and Harold Pinter were friends. Now the film star is directing Julian Sands in a tribute to the playwright. As the Edinburgh festival launches, Stephen Moss meets them I spot John Malkovich ‘s head as soon as I enter the courtyard of the hotel, even though he is in the lounge, with his back to me and partially obscured by a blind. That cranium has an aura. He has just arrived in Edinburgh, where he is directing his long-time friend Julian Sands , the British actor, in A Celebration of Harold Pinter . It is being touted as the starriest fringe event for a decade. Sands gives me a cheery wave when I enter the lounge, and starts rearranging the furniture so the three of us can talk; Malkovich sprawls languidly in a large leather armchair. Sands, in an elegant grey suit and with a physical tautness that belies the fact he is now past 50, is fluent and to the point; Malkovich speaks slowly, and when he tells a story is strong on detail. There’s a quirky mind in that majestic bonce. A fashion designer as well as an actor and director, Malkovich is wearing a big blue jacket and jeans with huge turn-ups. Both sport grey silk scarves he designed. The origins of this Pinter celebration lie in 2005. Pinter had been due to give a reading of his poems, but throat cancer had impaired his voice and he asked Sands to step in, instructing him on how to deliver them. “After he died,” says Sands, “I repeated the recital as a memorial tribute in Los Angeles, recorded it and made some CDs for those who couldn’t be there, one of whom was John.” Sands was later approached by producer Nick Brooke to do a Pinter show at Edinburgh, followed by a national tour. Enter Malkovich. “I thought if we’re to do this, it needs to be completely re-examined,” says Sands. “I wanted more of a celebration of Harold, a convincing audio portrait. John had said to me after I’d given him the CD that I should think about working this up into a theatre piece. I’d just seen John perform in The Infernal Comedy , and his power and presence was so compelling that I thought if I was going to work with anyone on this, it has to be him. His contribution as director is more like a conductor. Yes, I

Posted by on August 7, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.