Betrayal Reunion on Instagram Live (2021)

 February 28, 2021:

Nearly two years after the first performance in London, the cast and creatives of Betrayal reunited for a Instagram Live session. March 2019, when the show first debuted at the Pinter Theatre seems like another lifetime ago. It's surreal to think how much the world as a whole has changed since then. Theatres have been dark (save for some livestream events) both in the UK and US for a year now. Which makes Betrayal, and it's Broadway transfer, extra special because we the fans were able to experience it fully and together. Who knows what post-COVID theatre will look like? 

[0:00-6:00] Director, Jamie Lloyd, opened the Livestream thanking everyone involved, and a special shout out to how everything has been impacted by the shutdown.

[6:00-21:23] The first guest was Scene Designer Soutra Gilmour, who worked on the entire Pinter at the Pinter season. She broke down the inspiration for the minimalist, but symbolic design for Betrayal. 

[22:09-32:56] Up next was everyone's favorite waiter, Eddie Arnold. This section is sponsored by the phrase big booty. I did not realize that Eddie was Colombian. They have a great chat about Latinx representation in theatre in the UK and US. 

[37:09-55:53] Ah Charlie Cox, how I have missed your face. Charlie doesn't have any social media, so this event was his very first time on Instagram. Thank you for joining us! Charlie and Jamie previously worked on another Pinter production, and were able to meet Harold Pinter prior to his passing. Charlie also talked about how he grew as an actor working on this play. The cast took their squash games very seriously. Also, Charlie revealed that they had welcomed another baby this year. Congratulations and blessings to you and your growing family. 

[58:12-1:22:05] Betrayal's leading lady, Zawe Ashton, renamed the play from Betrayal to Absolute Trust, because that's what was required of the actors each night. I really love how she breaks down the different reactions between the UK audiences and US audiences both in the theatre, and when she meets them outside of the theatre. I can totally imagine a New Yorker stopping her at the CVS. She also compares casting directors to matchmakers. Zawe was the final Big Booty. *Alexa, play Ms. New Booty.  

[1:23:17-2:08:40] Here comes the general, ladies and gentleman, here comes the general, the moment you've been waiting for, here comes the general, the pride of (London, England), here comes the general (Tom Hiddleston)! Tom talked about the journey of taking Betrayal from a single scene he performed with Zawe for the Pinter at the Pinter Gala to the Pinter Theatre to Broadway. Tom and Zawe only rehearsed the scene for 10 minutes prior to going on stage. Jamie contacted him the next day about the possibility of turning the scene into a full production.Tom really breaks down the subtext of the play, and the different types of betrayal they all face. There's a moment when he talks about how on the outside Robert (his character) is very controlled, but internally is soul is shattered. And I think that's what we all felt watching the scene where Robert discovers the affair: shattered. I love all the stories about Melon Mishaps. This was Tom's Broadway debut, he talks about the different energy of Broadway, and the sense of community and tradition he felt. Also, besides a press statement that was released, this was the first time Tom Hiddleston has publicly discussed his Tony nomination. 

PS: Where did Jamie Lloyd get this mug? Was it sold at the Pinter? Because we did not have this on Broadway. 

They spent two hours talking about the differences between the UK and US productions - we even do swag different. 

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Betrayal Broadway has five pending nominations at the long overdue 2020 Tony Awards. Seriously when are they going to announce the date?!? Those nominations include Best Revival of a Play, Best Direction of a Play (Jamie Lloyd), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Soutra Gilmour), and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Tom Hiddleston).