Leading Article: Portrait of the artist as activist

Published: 08 December 2005

It is a matter for great regret that Harold Pinter was not well enough to travel to Stockholm to receive his Nobel Prize in person. It is sad for the prize committee whose choice he was: the absence of any laureate diminishes the occasion. It was sad for his home country, which has the opportunity all too rarely to bask in the glory reflected from a Nobel prize winner in any category, but especially, perhaps, the prize for literature. Above all, it was sad for Pinter himself who, scourge of the establishment that he is, would surely have relished the distinctive and distinguished public forum the week of the Nobel prize ceremony affords.

Pinter, though, is not a man who easily allows himself to be deterred. His prize lecture, recorded in advance, was broadcast here and in Sweden yesterday evening, at the time when he would, under happier circumstances, have delivered it in person. To his immense credit - and to our delight - he was as eloquent, impassioned and outspoken as ever. He may be physically debilitated by illness, but his crusading zeal is in fine fettle.

Article Length: 362 words (approx.)