Betrayal

Betrayal was first performed at the National Theatre in 1978. The original cast featured Penelope Wilton, Michael Gambon and Daniel Massey.

It was inspired by Pinter’s clandestine affair with television presenter Joan Bakewell, which spanned seven years from 1962 to 1969. Pinter’s particular use of reverse time in structuring the plot is innovative: the first scene takes place after the affair has ended, the final scene ends when the affair begins.