Zawe Ashton, Charlie Cox, and Tom Hiddleston (Marc Brenner)
Betrayal tells an interesting yet complex story of a love affair spanning seven years. The story revolves around a married couple, Emma and Robert, and Robert’s close friend Jerry who is married to a woman named Judith (not seen in the play). Jerry and Emma are engaged in a five year affair without Robert’s knowledge, betraying both the two people they love, Judith and Robert, and each other. With a combination of secrets, lies, self-absorbed behavior, and lustfulness, this web of deceit ends up hurting everyone involved.
Charlie Cox (Marc Brenner)
Charlie Cox and cast are simply brilliant. At times relatable and at times disgustful, as an audience member you almost feel as if you are in the middle of the relationship. They draw you into the tryst in a way and make you feel what it’s like to experience the affair, even if you have never gone through an affair. The complex relationship between love and hate is explored but, in the end, you realize that people share a dire need to just be loved. Zawe Ashton delivers a passionate performance in her role as Emma and Tom Hiddleston is charmingly dashing and captivating as Jerry.
Playwright Harold Pinter offers a glimpse into the parallel lives led by the two men at the center of the story using reverse chronology, with the first scene taking place after the affair has already ended. The set is minimalist, using a turntable for scene changes and a back wall that comes in and out. Projections are used on the stage to help identify the chronology and keep the story straight.
Tom Hiddleston (Marc Brenner)
Betrayal can be experienced at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater now through December 8th. For tickets visit www.BetrayalonBroadway.com or visit the box office on W. 45th street.