Archive

Identifier: BETRAYAL2000

Inclusive Dates: 2000 - 2001

Extent:

Production Files documenting the 2000 production of Betrayal at the American Airlines Theatre.  Directed by David Leveaux, with set and costume design by Rob Howell, lighting design by David Weiner, and sound design by Donald DiNicola.

The production starred Juliette Binoche as Emma, Liev Schreiber as Jerry, and John Slattery as Robert; Mark Lotito was the Waiter, with Melissa Bowen and Ray Virta as undestudies.

2001 Awards and Nominations:
Tony Award, Best Revival of a Play (nominee)
Tony Award, Best Actress in a Play, Juliette Binoche (nominee)
Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Revival of a Play (nominee)
Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Actor in a Play, Liev Schreiber (nominee)
Theatre World Award, Juliette Binoche (recipient)
 

Written in 1978, Betrayal makes innovative use of reverse chronology to tell the story of married couple Robert, a publisher and Emma, and Emma's long-term affair with Robert's best friend Jerry, a literary agent, who is also married to a woman named Judith (who never appears onstage).  The first scenes take place in 1977, after the end of the affair; the last scene is set at the beginning of the affair in 1968, with the scenes in the middle taking place backwards but chronologically in pivotal years in between (Emma reveals the affair to Robert a few years in but continues it, and years later she lies to Jerry, telling him that she has "just" told Robert of their liaisons).  As Roger Ebert said in his review of the 1983 film based on Pinter's screenplay, "The 'Betrayal' structure strips away all artifice. It shows, heartlessly, that the very capacity for love itself is sometimes based on betraying not only other loved ones, but even ourselves."

Pinter revealed that the play was based on a real-life, long-term affair he had with television presenter Joan Bakewell.  Pinter was present during the rehearsal and tech process for this American Airlines production.

Production Files are contained in one deep Hollinger box, including 4 versions of the Stagebill, some marketing flyers, and the cast/family photo.

Digital holdings on the Archive 1 server include the following folders:
Education (Page to Stage Production study guide)
Media (Raw mp4 production footage, mp3 interviews with David Leveaux, Rob Howell and David Weiner, and clips of Juliette Binoche on the David Letterman show)
Playbill (47 jpeg scans)
Press (Archive-scanned selects)
Production Photographs (captioned selects only)
Show Art
Set Design (Scene-by-scene thumbnail jpeg photos of the set model)
Stage Manager Files (Folders for Show Files, lighting board cues for "old end" and "new end", Show Files 2 including props, costumes, bid documents and itineraries, Contracts, and a document regarding Juliette Binoche's airfare)

There is a related collection of marketing materials on the Marketing shelves, and the poster for the production can be found on both Archive 1 and on the Poster shelves. Contracts and visa information have been removed and housed in the Contracts cabinets; these are confidential and access is restricted. 

There are 8 blueprint scenic drawings in the flat file Map drawers, including plans, elevations, and reference images for scenic elements such as the bell.

A folder in the Photographs cabinet contains color slides and some black and white prints of the Joan Marcus select production photographs, various format prints of the cast/family photo, both black-and-white and color contact sheets of opening night photos (and one 4 x 6 print which was scanned and is on the Archive 1 server), and large-format negatives of a few select production photographs. 

Access Restrictions: Open and available to approved researchers by appointment only. See folder details for specific restrictions.

Preferred Citation: Betrayal 2000, Roundabout Theatre Company Archive