The USM Department of Theatre is pleased to present Betrayal, a tangled chronicle of dishonesty, deception and desire, written by Harold Pinter, directed by Thomas Power. Performances in the Russell Hall auditorium on the Gorham campus are at 7:30 p.m. November 12, 13, 18, 19, 20; November 14, 21 at 5 p.m. $8 students, $11 seniors/faculty/staff/alumni, $15 general public. $5@five Show on November 17 at 5 p.m., all seats $5. To make reservations please call the USM Theatre Box Office at 207.780.5151"I have been intrigued by Pinter's work for years and directed many of his plays including The Homecoming, The Birthday Party, The Lover and a number of his shorter one-acts. Betrayal was first produced in London in 1978 following a difficult time in the playwright's life and although viewed as a stretch for college acting students the play remains a continual favorite for students in acting classes,” said director Thomas Power. "The universal theme is clear and the challenge to making this work with young actors with an intentionally intimate performance concept will become evident to audiences. The show is performed in the 'round' and as in life, characters must occasionally turn their backs on each other."
The setup: Inspired by the playwright’s own seven-year affair, Betrayal reveals its treacherous story in reverse chronological order, beginning at the end of the deception and ending at the start. For five years, Emma and Jerry carry on behind Robert’s back. Emma eventually confesses her infidelity to Robert while continuing the affair. The duplicity persists in woven layers of lies and deceit, only to be stripped bare, exposing the human capacity for betraying ourselves, and the ones we love.
Senior theatre major, Jacqueline Cascella is the set designer; senior Danny Gay is the sound designer; the remainder of the production is designed by Theatre faculty. Renee Garcia is costume designer; and Shannon Zura is the lighting designer. USM theatre major, Sebastian Ascanio, is stage manager.
The cast includes talented USM theatre majors; Jerry is performed by sophomore Sage Landry of Nobleboro, ME; Emma is played by senior Meredith Lamothe of Wells, ME; Robert is sophomore Patrick Molloy of Orono, ME; the Waiter is performed by junior Alec Rose of Orono, ME
For more information on show times and tickets call the USM Theatre Box Office at 207.780.5151
Coming in February, Airswimming, a gravity-defying tale of friendship, directed by Meghan Brodie.
