Betrayal

Betrayal is a major theme in the works of playwright and screenwriter David Mamet. In Oleanna, both John and Carol betray the trust of the teacher-student relationship. In American Buffalo, Donnie betrays Bob by letting Teach physically abuse his protege. In Red Belt, the sincere and principled teacher is betrayed by the movie stars that manipulate him. There are many more examples in The Edge, The Cryptogram, The Spanish Prisoner, Mamet is a master on this theme.

In 1997 when True and False was published, Mamet inspired, angered and aroused debate with his heretical outbursts on the nature of acting.

Fast forward 10 years and Mamet seemed to betray all of the liberal artists in one go when he wrote a now infamous Village Voice article, explaining his conversion to Conservatism, well, lost some admirers I’m sure.

Tuesday 13th April 2010, Mamet’s latest treatise entitled‘Theatre’ is published in the UK, seemingly betraying the aesthetic of the Atlantic Theater Company, and the students that devoured his logic for a more pragmatic approach to acting. He also gives his opinion on repetition and directors.

This is not a particularly well written book from many angles. Mamet recycles much of the logic on the craft of the writer and actor from Three Uses of the Knife, T&F and Bambi vs. Godzilla.

Some of it is wonderful and I did laugh out loud at a story of Mamet’s wife going to the theate with an aged Group legend Harold Clurman, but for the most part, it is a story of reversals, twists of logic, and betrayal. Much like his plays and films, of course.

Mamet even changed his attitude towards who can act. In the past all an actor needed was will, common sense and bravery. Now, he’s selling us the ‘you’ve either got it or you haven’t.’

But doesn’t the teacher have the right to change his mind? Yes of course he does. But it’s his own ideas that he is now upending.

Is he doing this to provoke? Possibly.
To prevent us from resting on assumptions? Maybe.
Because his own experiences have changed his opinion, likely.

But where does that leave us, the students? It leaves us standing on our own two feet, ready to face the world without having Dave standing behind us as back up.

Developing your own practical aesthetic is more importantly than slavishly following someone else.

The Teacher had to allow us to walk unaided, to allow us to walk alone, with confidence and pride.

Thank you Dave, your betrayal has set us free.