Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter dies at 78

From 1958 to 1978 a flurry of Pinter plays changed the face of British theatre. But then silence fell for 15 years until the London production of his next full-length play, "Moonlight."

He became the subject of marital scandal in 1980 when his actress wife Vivien Merchant, his long-time muse, divorced him because of an affair with Lady Fraser, a renowned author and daughter of anti-pornography campaigner Lord Longford.

Pinter married Fraser later that year but Merchant, star of many Pinter plays, died in 1982, a victim of alcoholism.

In later life Pinter turned to political activism, campaigning for human rights, nuclear disarmament and speaking out against Western foreign policy.

"The crimes of the U.S. throughout the world have been sytematic, constant, clinical, remorseless and fully documented but nobody talks about them," he said.

Pinter also carved out a distinguished career as a screenwriter with hits such as "The French Lieutenant's Woman" and "The Servant".

But, back in 1958, Pinter's first full-length play -- "The Birthday Party" -- was almost his last.

Critics derided him, the play folded after a week and the budding playwright trying to support a wife and young baby contemplated quitting.

Influential critic Harold Hobson rescued him, saying "Mr. Pinter, on the evidence of this work, possesses the most original, disturbing and arresting theatrical talent in London".

Less than two years after his first play flopped, Pinter's second play "The Caretaker" opened in London's West End and established his reputation as a major dramatist.

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