Undressing "Betrayal'

Acclaimed playwright Harold Pinter's seminal work, 'Betrayal' explores the complexity of human relationships, delving into themes of love, deception, and the intricate web of emotional connections. Its innovative reverse chronological structure peels back the layers of trust and betrayal between characters, captivating the audience with sharp, poignant dialogue and powerful, understated tension.

Despite being penned in 1978, 'Betrayal' remains a timeless reflection of human nature. As such, Theatre Irridencence's production offers its diverse international audience a rare chance to contemplate these universal themes from the perspective of our lives in a different time and place.

The play's chronological structure presents a daunting challenge for its actors. Cameron Smith, playing Robert; Rachel Lynn Sweeney, playing Emma; and Ritchie Croan, playing Jerry, confront the task of devolving their portrayals as they perform a story moving backward in time.

The Actors

Depicting Desire and Deceit

Robert: Played by Cameron Smith

As a successful publisher, Robert commands authority and respect in his professional world. He is intelligent, charming, and articulate, yet his outward composure masks a turbulent inner life. His ability to maintain a composed exterior while dealing with profound personal betrayal highlights the pain of balancing a public persona and private anguish. Robert's character is central to the play's exploration of trust, infidelity, and the subtle shifts in relationships.

Portraying Robert is Cameron Smith, a seasoned actor from Oxford, UK, who has made Japan his home for over 20 years. Smith's extensive experience in Nagoya's theater scene includes notable roles such as Dr. Prentice in Joe Orton's "What the Butler Saw," Guildenstern in "Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," and Otto Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank," among others.

Emma: Played by Rachel Lynn Sweeney

Emma is an intelligent, passionate, and introspective gallery owner. Her journey through the play is marked by her struggle between fidelity and desire, making her a compelling and pivotal figure in the narrative.

Portraying Emma is Rachel Lynn Sweeney, an experienced actress from Evansville, Indiana. With a performance background from Murray State University and training at The Groundlings and The Actor's Gang in Los Angeles, Sweeney has shone in roles like "Jackie-O" Pascal in "The House of Yes," Harper Pitt in "Angels in America: Perestroika," and Hedda Gabler in "Hedda Gabler." Sweeney's rich theatrical experience and deep understanding of character dynamics bring unique depth and authenticity to her performance.

Jerry: Played by Ritchie Croan

Jerry, Robert's best friend, is a literary agent. His profession symbolizes his ability to weave elaborate stories in his professional and personal life, often blurring the lines between truth and fiction. His interactions with Emma and Robert reveal the fragile nature of trust.

Portraying Jerry is Ritchie Croan, a native of Perth, Australia. Ritchie studied drama in High School. His passion for acting was reignited with his Nagoya theatre debut in "Cosi" in 2009. Since then, he has appeared in over ten Nagoya productions, including "Wait Until Dark," "Proof," "Romeo and Juliet," "Nagasaki Dust," and "Speaking in Tongues." Croan brings his depth of experience to his role, infusing the character with vigor and authenticity.

Betraying and Portraying

In anticipation of Theatre Iridescence's upcoming production, we couldn't help but peek under the covers to see what was going on.

The actors spent considerable time contemplating the backstories of their roles, stripping themselves down to adorn the complex personalities they embody on stage. Their artistic journey reveals a tingly connection between their personal experiences and intimate depictions of "Betrayal."

In the final days before the debut of "Betrayal," we had the opportunity to speak with the cast about their roles, their preparation process, and the unique experiences they've encountered along the way.

Preparing for their roles

I suspect everyone's worst heartbreak stays vivid in their memory no matter how long ago, and that's helped me reach Robert's moments of despair."

Cameron: (Robert)
I've been on the fringes of the kind of establishment that Robert's part of - I know the smell of it. People often talk about the self-loathing of the well-to-do English middle class, and I think that's there in Robert, in his frustrations, in the cynicism in him that grows as he ages.

I also spent a few years at a private school with most students boarding away from their parents and saw firsthand the techniques of emotional suppression that particularly boys there develop that many carry into their adult lives: the need to wear a face to survive.

Robert chooses to wear a face to hold things together, no matter how much it eats away at him inside.

The key to Robert is, straightforwardly, heartbreak. I suspect everyone's worst heartbreak stays vivid in their memory no matter how long ago, and that's helped me reach Robert's moments of despair."

I'd like theatergoers to see themselves in Emma, how and why she has changed, and how difficult of a situation she's put herself in.

Rachel: (Emma)
When I first began to break down the script and focus on character work, I tried to put myself in her shoes. Writing her backstory was particularly helpful in understanding her relationships with Robert, her husband, and Jerry, her lover.

Although constantly changing, her truth is grounded in the choices she made in her past before we first meet her in scene one. I'd like theatergoers to see themselves in Emma, how and why she has changed, and how difficult of a situation she's put herself in.

This process was quite arduous, and if I've done my job right, the audience will be able to clearly see the motivations of my character on stage.

Ritchie: (Jerry)
We did a lot of character work, like mapping out important dates and life events. After that, we divided each scene into smaller chunks with individual intentions. This process was quite arduous, and if I've done my job right, the audience will be able to clearly see the motivations of my character on stage. I usually try to tap into some of my own experiences to trigger a particular feeling.

Revealing Betrayal's Hidden Past

The depth of Robert and Jerry's friendship, in particular, is a driving force in the play; Robert sacrifices his dignity to keep hold of it.

Cameron (Robert)
Our director, Aya Kawakami Murray, was very thorough, focusing us on analyzing the script very closely and understanding what our characters were trying to do with each and every line they spoke.

This process forces you to be constantly aware of the dynamics between the characters and the connections across scenes and time. Coming to grips with how time passed was especially important because the story is told backward.

We negotiated with each other about what was unwritten: our pasts—when we met, what experiences we shared, and why our characters all clearly loved each other at one time or another. Although the play is about betrayal, there are also many moments of warmth. The depth of Robert and Jerry's friendship, in particular, is a driving force in the play; Robert sacrifices his dignity to keep hold of it.

I love this part of the journey because of how many discoveries you can make before you even step foot in the rehearsal space.

Rachel (Emma)
A solid foundation for each character allows us as actors to experiment with how we deliver lines and reach our respective goals in each scene. I love this part of the journey because of how many discoveries you can make before you even step foot in the rehearsal space. It's also a great confidence booster because you can feel more at ease trying new things when you understand who your character is as a person.

Much of what the characters say to each other is masked

Ritchie Croan (Jerry)
An essential element of this show is subtext. Much of what the characters say to each other is masked, just like what we do in real life. We spent much time determining what subtext lay beneath our lines. A few times, we ditched the script and just used our unfiltered subtext. There was usually a lot of swearing. Fun times!"

Emotional Complexity

Pinter's genius makes the subtext so close to the surface.

Cameron Smith (Robert)
What makes the play a joy to read but also a challenge to flesh out is the amount of dialogue that is subtext. Characters talk about one thing (a book, a game of squash) but are talking about another (an affair, a friendship). It's a great source of dramatic tension, and Pinter's genius makes the subtext so close to the surface.

But how do you bring those intentions out in a performance? For example, a particularly challenging scene for me is when Robert confronts his wife, Emma, over suspicions she is having an affair with his best friend, Jerry. He begins by airing those suspicions very obliquely and then more clearly, but never with a direct accusation.

I think theatergoers will empathize with both Emma and Jerry because it's a very 'real' moment in time that might hit a little too close to home for some.

Rachel Lynn Sweeney (Emma)
Scene three is a personal favorite of mine for many reasons. First, Emma and Jerry have a massive power struggle as they try to figure out what they will do in the future. They both desperately want the same thing but have two VASTLY different ways of trying to get it. The subtext is rife with so many different emotions that I think the audience will have a hard time not wanting to shout at them to just 'get on with it already!'

Each character is portrayed with immense humanity. They are at their most raw and vulnerable in this scene—some moments are heartbreaking. I think theatergoers will empathize with both Emma and Jerry because it's a very 'real' moment in time that might hit a little too close to home for some.

The slow build-up to that breaking point and the aftermath has been challenging to portray

Ritchie Croan (Jerry)

I really like scene six. The start of the scene is light and playful, and later on, Jerry starts talking about his guilt and eventually breaks down. The slow build-up to that breaking point and the aftermath has been challenging to portray, but it is immensely rewarding when I do nail it.

Starts This Week!

Don't miss this opportunity to experience "Betrayal," a profound and moving work that promises to leave a lasting impression. Come and enjoy an evening of exceptional theatre.

Dates and Times and Tickets

Dates
June 7-9, 2024

Show Times
• June 7 (Fri) at 19:00
• June 8 (Sat) at 13:00 & 18:00
• June 9 (Sun) at 13:00 & 17:00

Tickets
(Please note some dates are sold out)
• Advance: ¥2,500
• At the Door: ¥3,000

Book Now
Secure your tickets HERE and witness the nuanced portrayal of Betrayal and the human condition.