By Betty Lou Roselle
Harold Pinter’s 1978 play, Betrayal opened Friday at Colonial Playhouse. Pinter’s plays use understatement, reticence, small talk, and silence to convey the substance of a character’s thought, which often lies several layers beneath, and contradicts his speech.
Adam Corbett as Jerry and Paige Benedetto as Emma in Betrayal.
Director Thomas Karolyi is imaginative with the many set changes that occur in this play. Using flats which picture the many locations along with the date and time that the action takes place. The flats are moved effortlessly by stage managers Nick Squeri and Bill Kuhfuss with one scene moving right into the next.
The scenes in Betrayal are presented mostly in reverse chronological order, beginning in 1977 and ending in 1968. By starting his play at the end of the story, Pinter endows the audience with knowledge of the future. Scene by scene, moment by moment, they know everything before any of the characters in the play does.
Kevin Hamlet plays Robert.
Karolyi has assembled a very talented cast for this three person play. Adam Corbett is excellent as Jerry, an outgoing man cheating with his best friend Robert’s wife. Kevin Hamlet’s great as Robert, seemingly the one being taken advantage of by Jerry and his wife Emma, but is he really? Paige Benedetto is terrific as Emma, a restless woman who needs the attention of both these men. Bill Kuhfuss is fun comic relief as a waiter.
Adam Corbett (Jerry) and Paige Benedetto (Emma).
Don’t miss this excellent production. There are seven performances left: January 26, 31; February 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9.
Colonial Playhouse is at 522 West Magnolia Ave., Aldan, PA. Call 610-622-5773 or visit www.colonialplayhouse.net.