'Betrayal' focuses on love affair

Sex. Infidelity. Betrayal. These are the themes of Harold Pinter's play, being performed this weekend by the Theater Arts Program. Originally a British play, Betrayal has been Americanized by Director Jennifer Platzkere and depicts a love triangle now set in New York. Depicting characters of post-college age, the play deals with the complexities of an extramarital affair. "It's definitely a play that people can relate to because it explores every facet of male/female relationships," Platzkere said. Spanning a time period of nine years, the oddity of the play is that it happens in reverse. The first scene takes place two years after the affair has ended and from there moves backward in time to its beginning. "Because the audience is more informed than the characters, it's intriguing," Platzkere said. This plot sequence is intended to draw the audience into the play and force them to pay attention to the details. What the audience sees is a romantic love affair that they know is over before it even starts. A sense of doom is established early on. The play is a study of three complex characters, none of whom is morally correct in all of their actions, but none of whom is entirely to blame either. In betraying each other, each one betrays himself. "The beauty of Pinter's writing is that he only has the characters say what is absolutely necessary," Platzkere said. "The really important transfers of emotion take place between the lines." Betrayal is one of Pinter's more realistic plays, focusing on the intricacies of human relationships. "If you enjoy sex, you should come see the show," said College sophomore Sumeet Goel, a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, who plays the part of a waiter. Betrayal will be performed this Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Annenberg Studio Theater. Tickets are $5 and are on sale on Locust Walk and at the door.

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