The cast of Betrayal, from left, Pierre Malherbe (Jerry), Matt Newman (Robert) and Marlisa Doubell (Emma).
Harold Pinter’s Betrayal is being presented by 2Sugars Productions at the Artscape until Saturday October 29.
The critically acclaimed play written by Nobel prize laureate Harold Pinter was a smash hit in 1979 and won an Olivier award. This is only the third time that the rights have been granted by the Pinter estate, exclusively for Cape Town, for a limited run.
Pinter’s use of reverse chronology was particularly innovative at the time. The play integrates different permutations of betrayal relating to a seven-year affair involving a married couple, with Emma played by Marlisa Doubell, Robert played by Matt Newman and Robert's "close friend" Jerry played by Pierre Malherbe. For five years, Jerry and Emma carry on their affair without Robert's knowledge, until Emma, without telling Jerry she has done so, admits her infidelity to her husband, Robert. The play features Pinter's characteristically economical dialogue, the characters' hidden emotions, veiled motivations, their self-absorbed competitive one-upmanship, face-saving, dishonesty and (self-)deceptions.
Directing this classic is award-winning director Professor Chris Weare.
There is a parental guidance of 12 years.
Tickets cost R200. Book through Computicket.