A smart, sophisticated comedy delivered by a starry cast
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What's it about?
French playwright Florian Zeller is best known for The Father, the internationally acclaimed play that was later adapted into the Oscar-winning film starring Anthony Hopkins. In The Truth, he swaps emotional drama for comedy, following Michel as he attempts to keep his affair hidden while the stories he tells become increasingly difficult to manage.
What we loved best
This is a beautifully constructed 90-minute comedy. Rather than building towards one major climax, the story unfolds through a series of short encounters, each peeling back another layer of the truth. Michel appears in every scene alongside just one of the other three characters, meaning the audience never actually witnesses the others together. Instead, we're left to piece events together from conflicting accounts, making every conversation a fresh opportunity to question what we've just seen.
Stephen Mangan is perfectly cast as Michel. No matter how selfish or outrageous his behaviour becomes, he retains an effortless charm. One of the play's most unexpected touches is that Michel appears far more troubled by the possibility of losing his closest friend than by the collapse of either his marriage or his affair.
Jamie Dee brings poise and sophistication to Laurence, while Sarah Hadland and Ardal O'Hanlon complete an outstanding quartet. Casting four actors known for dramatic work proves an inspired decision as they play every scene with complete sincerity despite some of the absurdity.
Lizzie Clachan's set is a production highlight. Each location (hotel room, home, tennis club, health clinic) shares the same architectural blueprint, with familiar bookshelves, tables and doorways reappearing throughout. Yet by introducing a new wall, different curtains or a fresh colour palette, each room feels entirely distinct. Watching the scenery quietly reinvent itself between scenes matched the play's themes of illusion and misdirection.
Anything we'd change?
This is a tight and polished production.
Who would enjoy it?
Anyone who enjoys sophisticated comedies, witty dialogue and beautifully crafted performances.
Who Created It
Written by: Florian Zeller
Translated by: Christopher Hampton
Directed by: Lindsay Posner
Set & Costume Design: Lizzie Clachan
Verdict
A stylish evening of intelligent comedy, it delivers exactly what it promises.