Deceivers and the deceived: (From left) Andrew Buckland, Susan Danford and Jeremy Crutchley star in Betrayal, on at the Baxter from this week.

Deception, dishonesty and infidelity come under the spotlight in Harold Pinter's powerful contemporary classic, Betrayal, at the Baxter Sanlam Studio from November 1 to December 2.

The 2005 Nobel Literature laureate's compelling masterpiece is a brooding comedy of sexual manners, which examines the high price of passion when an illicit love affair destroys a marriage and sabotages a friendship. Cleverly told backwards, the story unravels a labyrinth of betrayal as the characters in the love triangle take the audience into their tangled emotional world.

The Baxter Theatre 's resident director, Lara Foot Newton, directs a formidable threesome with Andrew Buckland as the husband, Jeremy Crutchley as the best friend and lover, and Susan Danford as the wife, with newcomer Quentin Krog as the waiter. Patrick Curtis is responsible for design of the production, with lighting by Mannie Manim.

Betrayal runs from November 1 to December 2 at 20h15 nightly, and booking is through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or the Baxter Theatre Centre on (021) 680 3989. For discounted block bookings, charities and special show and dinner packages, call Sharon on (021) 680 3962 during office hours.