The Belfry presents Harold Pinter’s Betrayal
“A marvellous, multi-layered play…his most accessible and arguably his best.” - British Theatre Guide
Victoria, B.C. — From October 27 to November 22, 2026, the Belfry will present Harold Pinter’s Betrayal. Directed by Tawiah M’Carthy, Betrayal stars Matthew MacFadzean, Yanna McIntosh and Jonathan Watton, with Angelo Rosso.
“It’s an elegy about time and memory (where) the greatest dramatic weight lies in what’s unspoken.”- The New York Times
Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter is renowned for his distinctive dramatic style: economy of language, potent pauses, and an undercurrent of menace. Betrayal—widely regarded as one of his best—unfolds in reverse—coolly dissecting a seven-year extramarital affair.
It opens after the affair has ended then proceeds to track it from the final breakup to the first kiss. Encountering the aftermath before the initial spark, the audience becomes acutely aware of the fallout from every decision.
“…desire, pain, alarm, sorrow, rage…compressed, like volatile gas in a cylinder less stable than it looks.” - The Times of London
At its heart, Betrayal is an intimate exploration of relationships, secrecy and the stories people tell themselves. With Pinter’s characteristic economy and wit, the play asks audiences to consider how love and loyalty can coexist with deception—and how the past changes when we look at it from the other direction.
Why We Chose This Play
Harold Pinter’s debut on the Belfry stage is long overdue! One woman and her husband and lover are caught in a game of cat and mouse. Who’s wise to whom—and who will pay the price for their acts of betrayal? We love the way every sentence, every word seems innocent on the surface, yet laden with tension below. Pinter is the master of simmering and intriguing drama. — Michael Shamata & Nigel Shawn Williams
Creative Team
Tawiah M'Carthy – Director
Jawon Kang - Set Designer
Arianna Lilith Moodie - Costume Designer
Nic Vincent - Lighting Designer
Tobin Stokes – Composer & Sound Designer
Treen Stubel - Intimacy Director
Jasmin Sandhu - Stage Manager
R. Davey - Apprentice Stage Manager
This production is supported in part by a generous gift from John & Suzanne Stewart
Live Events
Our round-up of events happening at the theatre over the next four weeks.
B4PLAY – ONLINE ONLY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 AT 11 AM at belfry.bc.ca/b4play-live
While we would usually host this event in person, the BMO Studio is undergoing renovations, so we will be livestreaming the event instead. We will also be recording B4Play, hosted by CBC Radio’s Gregor Craigie, and posting the podcast to our website and social media channels. Livestream B4Play here – belfry.bc.ca/ b4play-live
TALKBACK THURSDAY
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Following the third Thursday performance of each show, actors return to the stage to answer your questions and provide insight into the play you have just experienced. These Q&A sessions last approximately 20 minutes.
VOCALEYE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 2 PM
For patrons with low or no vision, we offer one VocalEye performance during most Mainstage productions. Trained Audio Describers provide descriptions of the visual elements of the show, allowing people with low vision to enjoy the theatrical experience without missing any of the details. Touch tours are available following the performance. More information is available at the Box Office 250-385-6815.
Ticket Information
We offer Pay-What-You-Want tickets for all performances this season. Tickets are available at 250-385-6815 or online at tix.belfry.bc.ca.
Production Sponsors
Betrayal is generously sponsored by Peninsula Co-op, Broadmead Hearing Aid, and Used.ca
Access Partner
BMO
Season Sponsors
The Belfry is generously supported by The Times Colonist and Helijet.
Public Funders
The Belfry is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of BC, the BC Arts Council, CRD Arts Development, and the City of Victoria.
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Mark Dusseault