Theatre: Betrayal

Everyman, Cork

At the end of Betrayal, Harold Pinter’s intriguing play, Emma and Jerry, about to embark on an adulterous affair, are framed in a doorway, with the lights shining brightly on them. It’s a memorable image, given what has gone before. In this tension-filled play, produced by London Classic Theatre, Pinter uses reverse chronology, with the opening scene featuring the former lovers meeting up in a pub, two years after their affair has ended.

Unravelling the story of the lovers and Emma’s cuckolded husband, Robert (who is Jerry’s best friend), keeps the audience interested. It’s like watching an investigation unfold.