Betrayal review

In Harold Pinter's 1978 play Betrayal, we witness a relationship breaking down, or flourishing, depending on which you're referring to, and which direction you're looking. Told in reverse, the story begins with the end of an affair and winds back to the first stolen kiss and the impact this has on our three leads. Presented by Thursday's Child, this production offers a compelling interpretation of Pinter’s icy dissection of love, loyalty and loss.

There are no twists here, as the audience knows from the outset how it ends, or starts. The challenge then, is to make the journey back engaging and intriguing, and the cast more than rises to the occasion. Heath Ivey-Law, as the deceived husband Robert, delivers a measured, emotionally aloof performance whose true feelings about his wife's betrayal remain just out of reach. He's a character we can't get a read on, and that ambiguity adds to the tension.

Gabriel Partington and Michaela Bedel, as the cheating duo Jerry and Emma, share a convincing chemistry as two people trying - and failing - to maintain a connection built on lies and deception. Even in their more tender moments, Partington and Bedel allow doubt and disconnection to bubble.

Director Rachel Baring leans into Pinter's silences and ellipses with precision, giving the pauses the time they deserve, and allowing us space to reflect on not only what the characters are thinking, but on what’s being deliberately left unsaid. There’s plenty to absorb, but Baring gives us ample opportunity to let the play creep under our skin.

Baring’s blocking makes full use of the stage, shifting from claustrophobic, up-close scenes and more open, relaxed settings as the tone shifts. Kris Chainey brilliantly supports this with his subtle yet effective lighting design that guides our focus during intimate or high-stakes instances, and enhancing the mood without overwhelming it.

Ella Firns' set design grounds us firmly in the 1970s with well-chosen furniture and props. However, the costume selection for Emma felt noticeably more contemporary than the setting and the outfits worn by the men, creating a small but curious inconsistency in the visual storytelling.

Thursday’s Child has delivered a thoughtful production of Betrayal that captures the harshness of Pinter’s writing while still finding emotional resonance. It’s one that understands how silence can say a lot, how messy lying can be, and how looking back changes everything you thought you knew. It may not offer any surprises, but it leaves you quietly unsettled, which in Pinter's world, is exactly the point.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran
Season: until 25 May | Thurs - Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2pm & 7.30pm, Sun 6:30pm
Duration: 70 minutes
Tickets: $50 Full | $45 Conc
Bookings: Chapel Off Chapel