{{Short description|1961 play written by Harold Pinter}} {{italic title}} {{Multiple issues| {{Original research|date=October 2007}} {{more citations needed|date=October 2007}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

[[Image:SlightAche.JPG|thumb|right|First edition cover]]

'''''A Slight Ache''''' is a [[tragicomedy|tragicomic]] play written by [[Harold Pinter]] in 1958 and first published by [[Methuen Publishing|Methuen]] in [[London]] in 1961. It concerns a married couple's dreams and desires, focusing mostly on the husband's fears of the unknown, of growing old, and of the "Other" as a threat to his self-identity.

==Characters== *Edward *Flora *A match seller

==Themes== One of the main themes involves one's insecurity about threats to one's self-identity embodied in the character of the matchseller, of whom one of the other two characters, Edward, is utterly terrified. The theme of growing old is also prevalent: according to Edward, the Matchseller is old, practically stone deaf, and has a glass eye{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}, and the middle-aged Edward and Flora continually reminisce about their youth throughout the play. Threat of the "Other" and obsessive romantic jealousy are also recurrent.

==Productions== ''A Slight Ache'' premièred as a radio broadcast in 1959, prior to its first stage production. On radio, because the Matchseller does not speak in the play, he appeared to its audience to be a figment of Edward's imagination. The play has subsequently enjoyed a number of successful stage productions. In 2008 it was performed at the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]], starring [[Simon Russell Beale]] and [[Clare Higgins (actress)|Clare Higgins]], and directed by Iqbal Khan. The character of the matchseller appeared on the stage, played by Jamie Beamish.

==External links== *''[http://www.haroldpinter.org/plays/title_slightache.shtml A Slight Ache]'' in the "Plays" section of ''haroldpinter.org''. Accessed October 26, 2007.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Slight Ache}} [[Category:1958 plays]] [[Category:1959 radio dramas]] [[Category:Methuen Publishing books]] [[Category:Plays by Harold Pinter]] [[Category:Tragicomedy plays]]