The Birthday Party (1957) by Harold Pinter (List of Characters)

 

The Birthday Party (1957)

by Harold Pinter

(List of Characters) 

Major Characters

1. Stanley Webber

The central character of the play and the only permanent lodger at Meg and Petey Boles' boarding house. Stanley is an unemployed pianist who lives in isolation and becomes the target of Goldberg and McCann.

 

2. Meg Boles

The landlady of the boarding house. She is affectionate, talkative, and treats Stanley almost like a son, though she remains largely unaware of the danger surrounding him.

 

3. Petey Boles

Meg's husband and a deck-chair attendant. He is quiet, kind, and observant, but lacks the courage or authority to prevent Stanley from being taken away.

 

4. Goldberg (Nat Goldberg / Simey)

A confident, well-spoken, and mysterious visitor who arrives at the boarding house with McCann. He appears charming and polite but gradually reveals a controlling and intimidating personality.

 

5. Dermot McCann

Goldberg's companion. Quiet, disciplined, and obedient, McCann assists Goldberg in questioning and intimidating Stanley throughout the play.

 

6. Lulu

A young neighbor who frequently visits the boarding house. Friendly and cheerful at first, she becomes disturbed by Stanley's behavior and later by her encounter with Goldberg.

 

Minor/Offstage Characters

7. The Two Unknown Visitors (Mentioned Only)

Early in the play, Petey tells Meg that two men had come asking about rooms. They are later revealed to be Goldberg and McCann.

 

8. Stanley's Former Associates (Mentioned Only)

Several people from Stanley's past are referred to in conversation, including individuals connected with his former life as a pianist. None of them appears on stage, and their identities remain uncertain.

 

9. Doctor Monty (Mentioned Only)

Goldberg claims that Stanley is being taken to see a doctor named Monty for treatment. The character never appears on stage, and it is unclear whether the doctor actually exists.

 

Total On-Stage Characters

There are six on-stage characters in The Birthday Party:

Stanley Webber

Meg Boles

Petey Boles

Goldberg

Dermot McCann

Lulu