9:30 TTh
2/26/2013
Critique # 1
Mr. Peeler

Betrayal-Theatre Critique
In this mind blowing display of creativity, the Chaotic Theatre performed on February 10, 2013 before a small house at The Off Center in Austin Texas, presenting actors from different areas of the U.S, who made this experience remarkable. Betrayal a play by Harold Pinter was not only about an affair, but was told backwards in time from the end of the affair to the beginning; an amazing twist. Sunday’s performance was extravagated with uniqueness in color, originality, and a good story plot. Although, the frequent long pauses seemed unnecessary to me. While being sucked in by the excellent acting and what was actually happening, it was difficult to notice the color scheme and lighting. However, some effects that grabbed my attention were the use of paint to give the illusion of a room blanketed with carpet to define the setting of each scene, and the way they incorporated the lighting to give the impression of the sunlight creating a window shadow upon the face of the actor as he was unveiling his knowledge of the betrayal between his wife and his best friend. In my opinion, the dim blue lights after particular scenes were used to signify a different time in the same setting. For example, the apartment setting was used for multiple time periods. The blackout (a period where after a particular scene they turned off all the lights) was used to signify a different setting and a different time period. For example, when the setting transitioned from Robert (Husband) and Emma (Wife) in Venice, Italy and back to New York City where Jerry and Robert were having lunch in a restaurant. I also noticed that when Emma and Jerry were happier early in their affair the light in the apartment was brighter to set the mood then their unhappier times at the end of the affair where the lighting was dimmer to set the mood of tension and frustration. The use of props and the different settings in my opinion could have been broadened and by that I mean throughout the whole play each scene was done in the same setting with maybe one or two different props. When I watch a play I look for the differentiality in the scenes because to me that shows the realism in the play and what is going on in the play. The setting of the play was easy to pick out and which is good in my opinion, there was never a point where I couldn’t tell where they were or who was who. The costume designs fit each scene and complimented what was happening in the play. For me overall, the setting and the props were just good, and could’ve been better. But with what they had and used, they did well for a smaller play and I enjoyed watching it.
Betrayal was a good plot in my opinion because it dealt with the everyday drama of a failing marriage. What was neat about the play was that the audience got to see both sides of the situation- the affair and the marriage. We as the audience got to be on the inside of all the lies, schemes, and suspicions of both of the marriages knowing about their affair. Also, the twist of the plot starting at the end and moving backwards to the beginning gave insight to the truth behind what really happened and how such a treacherous betrayal began. A sad, but truthful lesson learned was that you can’t even trust your best friend or your spouse to be faithful or just plain respectful and not betray your trust nowadays. I also liked the use of sarcasm to hint a double meaning of a single word and produce a humorous effect which wasn’t meant to be humorous at all. The comedic words or phrases also helped give the play a lighter mood especially during the times of despair and strain. All in all the play was very entertaining with its great visual effects and performances. The Actors did an amazing job in bringing vivid images and sound to the play. The Director also did a great job in interpreting the scenes well and delivering a message to the audience of betrayal and trust. I gave more attention to the play in its analysis due partially because of this course. Had I not needed to analyze the play I would’ve missed a lot of important details that the director, actor, and technicians put a lot of work into to create such a relation into reality. I would definitely recommend this play to those who have not seen it, not only for this course but also for the enjoyment and entertainment. I am definitely going to attend more plays from this theatre company (Chaotic Theatre). I also want to add that I liked how close in range the audience was to the theatre stage, it felt as if we were up close and personal as if we were in the room with them. Which is why to me the smaller plays are the best to go to, they allow the audience to get the full effect of what is happening unlike the big plays where your sitting on the second balcony squinting your eyes to see everything and trying your best to hear. With sitting in the front and close to the actors the audience gets the better view and therefore able to get a better meaning out of the play setting, lighting, and props. I thought it was definitely worth seeing and I look forward to more plays to attend from not only the smaller companies but from the bigger ones as well to see the differences and which one I would prefer.