The incomparable French writer Florian Zeller continues to startle us with concepts that philosophers and poets have struggled with since humans first began using language to camouflage the truth, possibly as early as 135,000 years ago. We might even credit the first Homo sapiens to lie about an act of infidelity as the originator of the art of storytelling.
In the latest French-to-English adaptation of Florian Zeller’s The Truth, director Lindsay Posner celebrates the playwright’s notion of truth as a ‘stowaway’ hidden inside a comedy that satirises our instinct to lie rather than to confront our own flaws. This admiration for Zeller’s craft is also true of the quartet of actors who plough through a seemingly predictable conundrum of marital infidelity. But don’t be fooled – you’re in for a bumpy ride in a theatrical funhouse packed with twists and turns of uncontrollable laughter.
The Truth begins in a somewhat sterile hotel room with Michel (Stephen Mangan) and Alice (Sarah Hadland) still damp with the heat of postcoital sex. Alice snuggles in the warmth of their lovemaking while Michel, a business executive, leaps out of bed to look for a missing sock; he’s late for an important meeting. Alice, observing Michel’s concern for his sock, begins to whine about the sparseness of their time together. Michel, who navigates high stakes faster than a Formula One race car driver, explains to her that they must be careful not to arouse suspicion, especially since Alice’s husband Paul (Ardal O’Hanlon) is Michel’s very best friend. Paul, who’s out of a job and actively seeking employment, doesn’t need further worries, reckons Michel. But surprisingly, he cancels his business meeting and arranges an overnight stay in a hotel where he and Alice can spend more time together.
But what of Michel’s own wife, Laurence (Janie Dee), to consider? Later the same day, and back at home, his skill as an inventive liar reaches unknown heights as Laurence casually questions him about his workday, while being well aware he called in sick and never attended the meeting. His ability to conjure a web of deceit becomes an absolute art form, almost making him lovable in his own comical spin, which judging by the raucous burst of female laughter, is never too far from what many women in the audience have heard from their own cheating male partners. I say this with the comic Chris Rock’s assumption in mind that ‘Men are as faithful as their options’. Yes, the play is an old-fashioned, middle-class set-up of male/female relations and not sure it would be as hilariously funny if it were updated to include same-sex partners, although the guess is the lies to cover up adultery would be about the same.
Ardal O’Hanlon as the cuckolded Paul is breezily unperturbed, and I wish there were more of him in the play. His very appearance lends significant weight to the supposed ‘innocent character’ who is aware of deception and quite capable of acts of deception himself. Sarah Hadland’s Alice introduces female guilt, while Janie Dee’s almost unbelievable poise and control suggest something else.
The set design (Lizzie Clachan), consisting of sliding doors to switch scenes between hotel rooms and living spaces, is as discrete as the adulterous partners themselves, quietly complementing the frequent outbursts of laughter as the play’s characters become as clever as Michel’s own deceptions. But The Truth is Stephen Mangan’s tour de force. Not enough can be said of the way he digs deep into the vacuum that exists inside Michel, the empty space that keeps him chattering with words he doesn’t believe in and expressions of remorse he doesn’t feel inside himself, but as long as he hears his own voice, he can prove he exists.
The Truth is the most enjoyable comedy you may ever see in your entire life, but make no mistake, because Mangan grips and holds tight to Michel’s emptiness, he elevates the play to the level of mastery. There may not be a finer actor than Mangan on the British stage today; if there is, I’ve not seen him. Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of his company. Book a ticket to this popular play.
Review by Loretta Monaco
The Truth is a wickedly entertaining comedy where trust is fragile, loyalty is negotiable, and everyone has something to hide. This star-driven revival of the Olivier-nominated play peels back the lies we tell the people we love, and the ones we tell ourselves…
Stephen Mangan – Michel
Ardal O’Hanlon – Paul
Sarah Hadland – Alice
Janie Dee – Laurence
Roisin Rae – Understudy Alice/Laurence
Adam Morris – Understudy Michel/Paul
Florian Zeller – Writer
Christopher Hampton – Translator
Lindsay Posner – Director
Lizzie Clachan – Set and Costume Designer
Richard Howell – Lighting Designer
Adam Cork – Sound Designer
Rosie Tricks – Assistant Director
THE TRUTH
Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
9 June to 12 September 2026
Book Tickets for The Truth and London Shows
