While I know that this is not a play I need to blog about- I feel that there is a lot I need to say about Pinter's Betrayal. I just went to see the production at the Rep and feel completely at a loss for words. Mostly because no matter what I do- I still cannot seem to like Pinter. However, he is an iconic writer (he even got a term named after him!). So why is he so iconic? What is it about the "Pinter Pause" that makes everyone go crazy? Personally it gives me a headache. Without interesting characters those long silences and "snippets of reality" don't compel me- they make me doze off or daydream. Pinter is good for meditation- but is it really theatrical?
Now- there were some interesting components of the play. I like the idea of experimenting with the concept of time. The play works backwards- starting in 1979 and finally ending at the beginning of the affair in 1968. This set up an interesting way of incorporating small details into a script that makes everything seem more important than it would have been otherwise. As an audience member- I was compelled to find out what everything meant. How was it significant? Why do these characters care? It was utterly fascinating. Which is good- because when the play first started I was thinking- "Oh dear- I guess I was right. Pinter really IS like this all the time." However, as time moved backwards the play became less stagnant and more fascinating.
My main problem with Pinter is how slow the play moves. Or- at least- the way directors and actors interpret Pinter. However it seems to be an international interpretation- so perhaps it is what Pinter really is supposed to be. Long, awkward, noninclusive conversations with no exposition that leaves an audience either extra-attentive to figure out what is going on or snoozing in the back row. I think that trying to capture real life can really backfire. Both Pinter and Chekhov seem to follow similar protocols with their writing. Snippets of real life- true to detail and speech pattern. But when I go to a film or to the theatre I don't want to see real life. I could just go to a cafe and watch other people for free. I want to see real life that has more significance. Real life with a point- a theatrical twist. This is the fine line that I as a playwright need to figure out. While I personally have some issues with Pinter- he is very successful and well liked. There is something to that.
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