The play most everyone was talking about, except me. Finally got to see it and well what a tangled web we weave and all that. Hilarious in places Pinter really captured the essence of affairs between couples (married) and turned it into a finely tuned comedy. Written by Harold Pinter based on his seven year affair to Joan Bakewell whilst married to others. So no wonder.
Slightly tongue in cheek in places with a bit of a slow start. Practically everyone was betraying everyone else and all having affairs.
"The play is unique due to its reverse chronology; Betrayal begins two years after the affair has ended, and the piece ends before the affair has begun...."
Thus it ends on a positive note of friendship: never broken, never parted.
Also one reason why the set was revolving in a circle, anti and clockwise, a reflection of time passing and years going backwards and forwards.
Heck the melons, reminded me of Berberian Sound Machine play with the sound effects when those poor melons were smashed to pieces. Not so much here as being devoured and yes smashed to bits by Tom Hiddleston as Robert' in one scene at a restaurant. With the booze overflowing, well of course not real booze, but plenty would've been devoured in real life, or swilled. Same scene had some belters in there when Robert says he hates books, he's a publisher but he hates them! With Jerry (Charlie Cox) his best friend having a nose for finding the best writers out there for publication!
Did anyone get the subtle hint that Robert was actually Spinx as the MSS was an anon submission and then Spinx wore dark glasses all day and was fifty, overweight. Thought it would've been Robert in disguise though he was only alluded to it, not actually seen on stage. Also how Casey was meant to be a good writer too. Particularly as Robert was interested in what his wife, Emma (Zawe Ashton) was reading the book and he asked what she thought of it. My view at least. Overshadowed by Torcello, a book fair being held there. Lots of references there and how they were caught out in a lie, especially Emma whens Robert tells Jerry she didn't go since there weren't any speedboats and a gondola would take forever. Robert then tells him well he took a speedboat cos the gondola would take hours.
Apparently they were all having affairs years ago and some moving scenes when mentioning their children and how the action revolved around a number of years, back and forth. Robert saying Jerry was such a good friend that he'd even have an affair with him, I said that too early on as they were so enamoured of each other.
Full house this night and sold out practically but it has been extended a further week in June. Watching in a box in the Royal Circle with only two seats there was particularly good. Plenty were there for Tom and his performance. However he didn't sign many autographs at Stage Door, I have to say poorly done Tom as many paid quite a bit to get tickets for the show and to travel here from abroad! Many actors traverse the boards for even longer than 90 minutes and do their due diligence for their fans! Okay so don't agree with me, but it's true. Same thing was done by Aidan Turner last year, maybe this is the norm for some of the current actors doing the rounds, especially those whose immediate forte isn't really theatre! That was my bit of negativity. I'm not a fan but I despair for those who are.
Here's silly sketch for anyone.
SO what was the point of the security going through the line checking tickets at Stage Door if no one was going to get through save for the select few at the front. Still at least got to see Charlie Cox and Zawe Ashton who were excellent in their performances!!
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