The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens its 1998-99 Studio Theatre season Oct. 30 with Harold Pinter's Betrayal, the marriage drama that tells its story in reverse, revealing the climax first and then its previous episodes.

Previews played Oct. 28-29 featuring the triangle of Carolyn Swift as Emma, Chris Hietikko as Jerry and Anderson Matthews as Robert. Jerry Vogel plays the waiter/bartender roles, under Rep artistic director Steven Woolf's direction. The production continues through Nov. 15

Designers are John Roselevich (sets), Bruce Summers (costumes) and Mary Jo Dondlinger (lighting).

The Studio Theatre at St. Louis Rep is a flexible "black box" space that seats up to 125 people. The space is downstairs from the mainstage, in the Loretto-Hilton Center in Webster Groves, MO.

Also on the 1998-99 Studio Theatre season schedule: How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel (Jan. 20-Feb. 7) and As Bees in Honey Drown by Douglas Carter Beane (March 24-April 11). For ($20-$29) ticket information, call (314) 968-4925.

-- By Kenneth Jones