You have until the end of August to see two vital theatrical revivals. I can’t help but compare the two: Stoppards’ Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Pinter’s Betrayal. While Stoppard’s surrealism shows signs of age, Pinter’s piece retains its power. If Stoppard’s actors are on ice-skates on a rollercoaster frame, Pinter’s performers have a solid safety seat in which to speed to their final confrontations with betrayal. Pinter’s words and gaps provide a stable tracking, allowing his actors to shine. Kristin Scott Thomas is as pitch-perfect as finely cut crystal – cool but sympathetic. Ben Miles provides the punch of the archetypal Pinter alpha-male rumbled and Douglas Henshall is as warm as a whisky chaser as everyone’s ‘best man’, caught in mateship and in love. Stoppard has us hovering around the fringes of existentialism, Pinter hones in on the heart – reasons to revisit the genius of both writers. You could see both plays the same afternoon, unless you have a lovers’ tryst!

All three actors give riveting performances. The scene in Venice where Robert tells Emma she has a letter from Jerry and she says she is Jerrys lover is full of nuance and superb acting. Throughout the play the ping pong of Pinters writing is brought out. I thought Douglash Henshal caught Jerrys character perfectly a rather selfish man beneath the seeming veener of care. Its acting like this that we come to London from Devon for and no disappointments here. The production and costumes are good. Emma(KST) excells in bringing out the changes in personality over the seven year period of the affair. See this play you will not regret it.

Hey! You played my present life out there! 10 years ago I was Emma, now I'm Robert.. What's left to be? Jerry! The first scene is my last in this situation.. I bet everyone laughing during this play, where actually screaming inside.. Kristin plays like life.. "Robert" plays nice, the Italian is an excellent surprise, but Jerry... sorry, play it again, Sam! you can't play Jerry if you haven't survived Betrayal at least once in your real life! And here some notes upon Betrayal by a book written by Aldo Carotenuto, EROS E PATHOS (Greek words)= LOVE AND PASSION (1987) A man who hasn't lived through the excperience of Betrayal is recognisable, he shows immaturity..Loving only in safety, it means we remain children! I will always remember a letter from Yung to Sabina; "it is for me to love only for the sake of love, without any other reason, without the necessity to explain my behavior, or to promise ANYTHING!" These are words that one can underline with no second thought...

Despite the lavish dress code of Miss Scott Thomas, the new Betrayal is a rather muted affair. Although the projected dates (1977 running back to 1968) make the time scale clear, there is little sense of 'period' about it, although Emma's fuchsia pink shirt waister is a show stopper in scene 4. Kristin Scott Thomas is clearly the 'star turn' - glossy, assured and often close to tears as she shows the agony of her love affair ending and the pain of maintaining the betrayal of her husband with his best friend. Ben Miles is confident and often menacing with a strong stage presence,but in many scenes Douglas Henshall often looks a little lost. One wonders what Emma saw in him to make her cheat on her powerful and suave husband. An assured production, but without some of the 'menace' that one might expect from Pinter.

Betrayal is a great play. On that basis, it transcends the pitfalls in this production. Douglas Henshall is miscast as Gerry and provides a confusing counterpoint to Ben Miles' assertive, Pinteresque, Robert. Kristin Scott Thomas is mesmerising though there's no on- stage chemistry between any of the leads. More at my reviews blog if you're interested: http://mmtheatrereviews.blogspot.com All opinons (polite even if combative, please!) much appreciated.

Kirsten Scott Thomas gives an acting masterclass. The male leads needed to be strong actors but alas they were not and Jerry's accent was grating to say the least... Pick an accent and stick to it please!