Pinter at his wittiest - Betrayal is back at Leamington theatre

Harold Pinter’s Betrayal will this time take the main stage as opposed to the smaller studio when it ran last year - but this time for five nights only, from Tuesday to Saturday June 14.

Supposedly based on Pinter’s own clandestine extramarital affair with television presenter Joan Bakewell, Betrayal explores the frailties of marriage and long-term friendship over a nine-year period.

The play opens with a meeting between adulterous lovers Emma and Jerry two years after their affair has ended. Moving back in time, it explores how various acts of betrayal affect not only Jerry’s wife and Robert - Emma’s husband and Jerry’s ‘best friend’ - but also the lovers themselves.

Libby McKay takes on the role of director of the play for the second time. She said: “Secrets can be exciting - and there are many in Betrayal. It is a terrific and clever play and every rehearsal has seemed to yield fresh insights for us all. Watching the shifting power between the characters is captivating.

“Pinter was never simpler, sadder, wittier or more touching.”

Performances are at 7.30pm. There is no interval and the finishing time is 9pm. For tickets, call 0844 493 4938, visit the box office on evenings from Monday, or book online at www.loft-theatre.co.uk