"Betrayal"

June 17, 2021 — The Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, New Hampshire, has enlarged the outdoor amphitheater they built last year so their limited productions could be viewed in the greater safety of the outdoors during the pandemic. They plan to use it for several productions this season. They still require patrons to wear masks for the duration of the play, but they serve drinks and refreshments. All employees and performers are required to be fully vaccinated.

The current play is "Betrayal" by Harold Pinter. In the first act, Emma (Krystal Pope) and Jerry (William Wilder), apparently old friends, have a rather awkward, cautious conversation. What's unknown to the audience at this point is their past, which will be gradually revealed as the play moves backward in time over nine years (if I counted correctly) in nine acts.

The acting by the cast of three (besides the aforementioned, A. J. Ditty is Robert), is excellent. Their British accents are convincing. This play by a master playwright with its sharp dialog was great entertainment, often funny, with brief flare-ups of anger, as the characters' deceits and lies become revealed. A. J. Ditty's drunken Robert was hilarious. Jim Rogato had a brief walk-on role as a waiter in this performance. He alternates in that role with Jim Gocha.

The setting was a mostly bare stage with a white floor and backdrop. A series of large cushioned blocks was ingeniously arranged to furnish each act's location, from a flat to a living room to a restaurant and others. The actors themselves arranged the blocks according to each act's requirements. This was the brain child of artistic director Neil Pankhurst who also directed the play. Not only that, but he also gets credit for scenic design and sound design. Costume design was by Lesley Pankhurst. John Findlay was the stage manager.