LOVE and betrayal is explored in Harold Pinter’s award-winning play Betrayal at Salisbury Playhouse.

Kirsty Besterman stars in the production which runs in the main house from tomorrow (Thursday, September 7).

She plays Emma, who runs an art gallery and is married to publisher Robert. But all is not well as Emma has an affair with Robert’s best friend Jerry.

“It is about the relationship between three people and the various betrayals in those relationship,” explains Kirsty. “They all love each other and on some level they are all soul mates - the husband and wife, the lover and wife.”

Betrayal was first staged at the National Theatre in 1978 and won an Olivier Award for best new play in 1979. It is based on Pinter’s affair with broadcaster Joan Bakewell – although Pinter denied it was biographical at the time of writing it.

Bakewell later wrote her own response to Betrayal, a play called Keeping in Touch.

“I have always loved this play,” said Kirsty. “I love Salisbury and the play as well, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to do it.

“I think I am ready in my life to play this sort of part and feel I have enough experience to bring to it now - enough self knowledge.”

Kirsty has previously performed at the Playhouse in Separate Tables and Dangerous Corner. She will be joined on stage by Robert Hands (Committee, Donmar Warehouse, The Lesson feature film), Robert Mountford (House and Garden, Watermill Theatre and Silent Witness) and Donavan Imber (The Wayfarer New Writing Showcase, The Criterion).

Kirsty says: “There are moments of incredible romance in this play and the intoxication of falling in love and the excitement of falling in love with the wrong person and being the centre of someone’s desires so that is completely amazing. Then there’s the pain of hurting the people you love and hurting yourself, and losing yourself, and potentially wrecking your world and your kids world. The stakes are phenomenally high and that is exciting for an actor to play.”

She says the play takes audiences on a journey through Emma’s life as the secrets and betrayals are unravelled.

“It is about the lies and loves of three people,” says Kirsty.

“I am excited [to be getting it on to the stage].”

“Harold Pinter is an extraordinary writer and one of our greatest writers,” she said. “I’m relishing [the experience] but it is a bit daunting because it is an iconic play and iconic people have played the parts.”

The play is directed by Salisbury Playhouse’s associate director Jo Newman and opens the theatre’s autumn/winter season.

Betrayal runs until September 23. For tickets call 01722 320333 or go to salisburyplayhouse.com.