Truth Review – Florian Zeller’s fake comedy is really fun | Theater

Alice and Michel must hide their relationship from the suspicious couple Paul and Laurence, sometimes they are questioned by the police. Florian Zeller’s The Truth is a modern French comedy that adds to the natural drama of the metaphysical aspect of whether truth and truth are possible or reasonable. In seven scenes, each featuring two characters, alibis intertwine and contradict each other. A lie can be a way of presenting the truth and vice versa until the plot becomes a complete deception.

Truth has an epigraph from The Infidelity of Harold Pinterfamous for the adultery drama, and in fact it is the Parisian image of the London uncouplings drama of 1978. Michel and Paul, like Pinter’s Jerry and Robert, are more faithful to their friendship than their marriages and there are similar discussions about who knows what and from whom, even for Betrayal the metaphor of a squash tournament Zeller instead of tennis – many matches being another argument about reliable history.

Lindsay Posner, director of the West End production, presented The Truth’s English premiere. at Menier Chocolate Factory in 2016. At the time, David Cameron was nearing the end of a Brexit-truncated premiership that has been followed by five other tenancies while reality TV star Donald Trump was on the campaign trail. After a decade of intense political and cultural turmoil, Truth feels it’s time for a revival.

Interpreter Christopher Hampton is one actor better understandingPierre Choderlos de Laclos’s translations of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Yasmina Reza’s Art have recently been revived. at National and on Broadway. In fact, one of his seven Zellers, he is amazingly composed by four amazing actors.

Stephen Mangan’s charming narcissist Michel rises and falls like a souffle. As Alice, Sarah Hadland intelligently handles the subtleties of the role and Janie Dee’s Laurence, cool as a judge, reaches a point where she has to change the meaning of a scene with a single look. Ardal O’Hanlon makes Paul interesting and complex. Lizzie Clachan’s connections flow smoothly between bedrooms, living rooms and closets.

In 2017, Posner directed the role of Zeller’s (unfaithful) friend, who is black and underweight. A liein which four people with the same names and relationships sell lies and the playwright repeatedly refutes the idea that not seeing reality is imagination: “Whatever they say, people don’t really want to be told the truth.” Let’s hope the same players are coming but for now, Truth is a fun summer adventure. Sincerely.