Goodman Theatre’s ‘Betrayal’ Is A Solid Slow Burn
Betrayal is a quiet and unconventional telling of the relationships and affairs between three people. Layered and complex, this is a show to make time for!
Relationships can be very complicated. Whether it’s a marriage, a friendship, or a work acquaintance, there are unwritten rules and trusts not to be broken. But sometimes, those lines get a little blurry.
Betrayal, the new play on the Goodman Theatre stage, written by Harold Pinter, is about these layers. Where are the boundaries of marriage and friendship? If one person walks a murky line, can you all? Are you all? Should you all?
Starring a solid ensemble of Helen Hunt as Emma (Mad About You, Girls Just Want To Have Fun – a personal favorite), Robert Sean Leonard as Jerry (Dead Poets Society, House), and Ian Barford as Robert (Tony nominee for Linda Vista), Betrayal is a simple story told in a nontraditional way.
Starting at the end, this show is told in nine small vignettes that range from Emma and Jerry’s meet-up after the likely separation of her marriage to Robert, all the way back to the beginning of Emma and Jerry’s affair. Jerry and Robert are best friends who have worked together over the years and although the betrayal of this specific affair exists, there is a lot of betraying of many people on multiple levels.
The script is funny, sarcastic, and clever in ways that the actors bring to life beautifully. There are very light moments, many awkward moments, and a few moments that create palpable tension in the room. And, as a bonus, Pinter’s signature “Pinter pauses” are notable and add to the normal flow of a conversation.
There are some great 60s and 70s-inspired costumes (particularly for Emma – I’d love to raid her closet) and traditional separately laid-out set pieces that you would find in most houses. Two orange lounge chairs, a bookshelf, a table and chairs, and a bed are all visible at times and reveal themselves through large screens if not being used. This provides an excellent way of letting the audience feel as if they’re in a home, but you can’t go there quite yet. Something is coming.
I really enjoyed the flow of one scene to the next, as an item from the previous scene suddenly helped turn the set into an area for the next (for example, Emma’s kitchen table, with one addition by Emma, shortly becomes the restaurant table for the men). It was a bit like leaving the ghost of themselves in the room.
There was little physical touch between actors in this production. When it happened (a kiss, a hand on a hip), it felt very deliberate and as if claiming another person in some way. Otherwise, everyone was separate, in their own bubble, always walking in different directions.
Another interesting choice was the projections on the large screens on stage. Some gave you the date so that you knew where you were in time, and others were (seemingly) memories of days past. Were they happy memories? Were they what everyone else sees on the surface when so much else is happening below? I’m not entirely sure, but that was the sense and they were lovely to watch as they flowed between each scene.
Betrayal is a short and to-the-point show full of talent and specific choices. There is no fluff and it moves very quickly, with each of the nine scenes feeling like a complete message. Enjoyable with a fantastic cast, be sure to see it and tell me what you think!
Betrayal runs for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes with no intermission. It is suitable for ages 12 and up.
Goodman Theatre: Betrayal Chicago Review – Betrayal is playing at The Goodman Theatre through 3/30/25. Tickets can be purchased on the Goodman Theatre website or by calling (312) 443-3800. Goodman Theatre is located at 170 North Dearborn in Chicago.