Scenic and Dramatic Space in Harold Pinter

This study explores the construction and function of space in the early plays of Harold Pinter, specifically The Room (1957), The Birthday Party (1958), and The Caretaker (1960). Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Anne Ubersfeld and Patrice Pavis, the analysis distinguishes between scenic space—the physical stage and its visual expression—and dramatic space—the abstract, dramaturgical environment reconstructed through the spectator’s imagination. By utilizing a phenomenological approach alongside Michel Foucault’s concepts of heterotopia and utopia, the research examines how Pinter’s settings function as "other spaces." The study highlights how these theatrical environments
operate as heterotopias: isolated yet permeable sites where social norms are suspended and entry is governed by ritual or coercion. Ultimately, this paper investigates the tension between the physical reality of the stage and the non-place of utopia to reveal how Pinter’s spatial dynamics shape meaning and dramatic action.