As I walked into the theatre I was awe struck by the design of the stage. Set designer Paul Davis, lighting designer Don Day, along with sound designer Leroy Sakowitz and stage manager Taylor Kulhanek have put together an incredible stage that splits two sets right down the middle which enables the audience to be whisked away from one scene to another with a flip of a switch. And as these characters are for the most part intellectuals who would rather “talk it out” than “duke it out”, costume designer Diane Morrison has the cast dressed to impress in suits, ties, silk PJ’s, and eye popping form fitting dresses that fit the play perfectly.

Once snuggled into my seat the play began with a quick “stream of self consciousness” introduction of the cast and the play’s theme of infidelity. At first these lighting fast scenes of characters talking rudely to each other, with some saying nothing at all, might be a bit confusing, but as the play continues the scenes get longer, Pinter’s comedic lines drop like bombs from the sky and explode into audience’s laughter, and the plot thickens with clarity.

Ian Manners puts on a superb performance of Harry. Manners’s Harry clearly defines himself as the “grumpy old man” as his grumpiness is a product of his experience in handling and dealing with people. This experience is on full display later in the play as he protects his own interests while calming the fires of another. You will get the feeling that you’ve known Harry at some point in your life. While at first all you hear is the voice of James bantering back and forth with Harry, you quickly get the feeling that Ken Webster’s James is a man that is reveling in the foulness that has been cast upon him. Webster’s spit-second ability to take the audience from spontaneous laughter to nail-biting tension is exceptional and a fantastic to watch. Kelsey Kling makes her return to the stage in the role of Stella. Kling’s Stella is clearly off-kilter as she bears the burden of being one of the adulterers. Underneath the good looks and elegant figure lies an immense amount of talent as Kling portrays Stella with a nervously quiet confidence. The catalyst of the play is dutifully played by Joey Hood, who is up for an ATR B.S.A. award for his role as Chris Smith in Killer Joe. Hood takes on the character of Bill and delivers a gutty performance. Hood’s portrayal of Bill is defiantly subservient, as he is the little boy confined in a man’s body.

Hyde Park Theatre has taken on the challenge performing Pinter’s “The Collection” and if you have never seen a Pinter play before now is the time because Webster and crew take Pinter’s words by their proverbial neck and squeezes every drop of comedy, anger and tension out of them while keeping the audience in suspense as the question of infidelity unfolds in front of their eyes.