Stage proposal for Harold Pinter´s 'Night'

We already did the exercise of doing a stage proposal in class, and while my group and I came with the idea of a living room really crowded with familiar elements to make a contrast between the cold situation that the couple has in the play and their home, a more warm space, I always preferred to explore the other way round, that means, creating a colder atmosphere.

To represent this play I would opt for a void stage with only a table, two chairs for each of the actors and a lamp. Looking for a picture on Google that was close to my proposal I came across this one, which was really similar to my idea except for what you can see behind the table. It would basically consist on a square table on center stage (CS) with the two chairs each of them at the extremes of the table so both actors would be facing the audience. There would be also a lamp near the table, placed on upstage left (USL) and it would be the only source of lighting in the whole stage.

The choice of a square table is mainly because a round table has the connotation of fraternity and a close relationship between those who are sitting around it, so I wanted to opposite of this as the protagonist couple have grown apart over the years. The actors would sit on it not looking at each other directly, only when they are speaking, marking once again that they are not close as a couple. The light coming for the lamp, leaving the rest of the stage in the dark, also emphatises the coldness between them and creates the somber atmosphere that I was looking for.

When I read 'Night' this was the portrayal that came into my mind and I think it is really appropiate for this play.