History Theatre / Betrayal

''Betrayal'' is a 1978 play by British author Creator/HaroldPinter, considered one of his best and most influential works -- and, indeed, one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. Its most notable stylistic innovation is its BackToFront structure: it begins with ex-lovers Emma and Jerry meeting in a pub in spring 1977, and ends with Jerry's first declaration of his adoration for Emma at a party in winter 1968. As you might imagine, this structure builds in a great deal of DramaticIrony; it's [[BittersweetEnding disillusioning and depressing to see Jerry and Emma flirting in the final scene when you know just how dysfunctional the ensuing relationship is going to be]].

A film of ''Betrayal'' was made in 1983, directed by Creator/DavidJones and starring Creator/BenKingsley as Robert, Creator/JeremyIrons as Jerry, and [[Series/{{Miranda}} Patricia Hodge]] as Emma. Pinter, a screenwriter as well as playwright, wrote the adaptation himself.

A film of ''Betrayal'' was made in 1983, directed by David Jones and starring Creator/BenKingsley as Robert, Creator/JeremyIrons as Jerry, and [[Series/{{Miranda}} Patricia Hodge]] as Emma. Pinter, a screenwriter as well as playwright, wrote the adaptation himself.

''Betrayal'' is a 1978 play by British author Creator/HaroldPinter, considered one of his best and most influential works -- and, indeed, one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. Its most notable stylistic innovation is its BackToFront structure: it begins with the ex-lovers Emma and Jerry meeting in a pub in spring 1977, and ends with Jerry's first declaration of his adoration for Emma at a party in winter 1968. This structure naturally builds in a great deal of DramaticIrony; it's [[BittersweetEnding disillusioning and depressing to see Jerry and Emma flirting in the final scene when you know just how dysfunctional the ensuing relationship is going to be]].

''Betrayal'' is a 1978 play by British writer Creator/HaroldPinter, considered one of his best and most influential works - and, indeed, one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. Its most notable stylistic innovation is its BackToFront structure: it begins with the ex-lovers Emma and Jerry meeting in a pub in spring 1977, and ends with Jerry's first declaration of his adoration for Emma at a party in winter 1968. This structure naturally builds in a great deal of DramaticIrony; it's [[BittersweetEnding disillusioning and depressing to see Jerry and Emma flirting in the final scene when you know just how dysfunctional the ensuing relationship is going to be]].

The only other character (aside from a waiter who appears in one scene) is Robert, Emma's husband and Jerry's (alleged) best friend. Judith, Jerry's wife, is mentioned frequently but never appears. The play's style is generally minimalist: as well as only three real characters it has few dramatic setpieces, uses economical dialogue, and is usually staged quite sparingly. However, this does not prevent Pinter from using liberal and complex symbolism.

A film of ''Betrayal'' was made in 1983, starring Creator/BenKingsley as Robert, Creator/JeremyIrons as Jerry, and [[Series/{{Miranda}} Patricia Hodge]] as Emma. Pinter, a screenwriter as well as playwright, wrote the adaptation himself.

* TheUnseen: Judith. Also the two couples' various children, and Emma's new lover Casey.
* YourCheatingHeart: Emma, Jerry and Robert are all unfaithful and it is strongly suggested that Judith is cheating on Jerry.

A film of ''Betrayal'' was made in 1983, starring Creator/BenKingsley as Robert, Creator/JeremyIrons as Jerry, and [[{{Miranda}} Patricia Hodge]] as Emma. Pinter, a screenwriter as well as playwright, wrote the adaptation himself.

A film of ''Betrayal'' was made in 1983, starring BenKingsley as Robert, Creator/JeremyIrons as Jerry, and [[{{Miranda}} Patricia Hodge]] as Emma. Pinter, a screenwriter as well as playwright, wrote the adaptation himself.

* FeminineWomenCanCook: Emma attempts to play a traditionally feminine role and create an air of domesticity between herself and Jerry by putting on an apron and making him a stew. It's somewhat spoiled when she confesses that she's pregnant with Robert's baby.

* {{Misogyny}}: Robert derides Emma in front of Jerry and, when she asks if she could come and watch him and Jerry play squash he explains very patronisingly that squash is for men and 'you don't actually want a woman within a mile of the place'. Jerry's reduction of Emma to a romantic fantasy rather than a thinking feeling human being is also an example.

''Betrayal'' is a 1978 play by British writer HaroldPinter, considered one of his best and most influential works - and, indeed, one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. Its most notable stylistic innovation is its BackToFront structure: it begins with the ex-lovers Emma and Jerry meeting in a pub in spring 1977, and ends with Jerry's first declaration of his adoration for Emma at a party in winter 1968. This structure naturally builds in a great deal of DramaticIrony; it's [[BittersweetEnding disillusioning and depressing to see Jerry and Emma flirting in the final scene when you know just how dysfunctional the ensuing relationship is going to be]].

* OnlyOneName: Everyone except for, possibly, Casey (his name is Roger, as Emma snaps at Jerry when getting defensive about her relationship with him, but it isn't clear whether Casey is a surname or nickname).
* RealitySubtext: Emma and Jerry's relationship is based on Pinter's with Joan Bakewell; this was not officially confirmed until 1996, when Pinter admitted it in Michael Billington's authorised biography, but it was obvious to the extent that the father of another of Pinter's mistresses, Antonia Fraser, commented on it when the play premiered in 1978.

A film of ''Betrayal'' was made in 1983, starring BenKingsley as Robert, JeremyIrons as Jerry, and [[{{Miranda}} Patricia Hodge]] as Emma. Pinter, a screenwriter as well as playwright, wrote the adaptation himself.