Add MS 89083

Michael Goldstein was a member of Harold Pinter's close circle of friends in Hackney in Pinter's formative years. They maintained a life-long friendship, corresponding throughout. The letters in this collection are particularly illuminating about Pinter's 'apprentice' years as a young actor in repertory, beginning in Ireland in 1951 as a member of the Anew McMaster Repertory Company. The letters record not only Pinter's growing experience as an actor - which continued throughout the 1950s in theatres across Ireland and England - but also his early development as a writer. The letters record Pinter's discovery of Samuel Beckett, the writing of his first plays, the composition of his novel The Dwarfs (not published until 1990), and include several early poems.

In addition to a number of Pinter's playscripts inscribed to Goldstein, and copies of various speeches and public statements that Pinter made in later life, the collection includes examples of Pinter's early poetry and prose sent to Goldstein for comment (including an early text of The Dwarfs, which Pinter subsequently revised).

Amongst the other correspondence in the collection is a letter to Goldstein from Vivien Merchant written shortly shortly before her marriage to Pinter, and a long letter from Goldstein to Michael Billington, Pinter's biographer. The collection also includes a file of material relating to Gaieties Cricket Club. Pinter's keen interest in cricket is a constant thread throughout his correspondence with Goldstein, and is an invaluable aid in determining the dates of many of the letters.