Following last year’s phenomenal success of The Father by Florian Zeller (Theatre Royal Bath, Tricycle, Wyndham’s and Duke of York’s from February), the Chocolate Factory in association with Theatre Royal Bath is delighted to present the UK premiere of Zeller’s biting new play The Truth.
French novelist and playwright Zeller has been awarded the prestigious Prix Interallié (for his novel The Fascination of Evil) and two Molière awards for his plays The Father and The Mother. This is the English language premiere of a new version of The Truth by Christopher Hampton (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) and is directed by Lindsay Posner (Abigail’s Party, Communicating Doors and Dinner With Saddam).
Alex Hanson, who plays the role of Michel answered a few questions about the production.
Q: What can you tell us about The Truth?
Alex: It’s a very funny and well observed comedy about a married man who is having an affair and who gets himself into deeper and deeper trouble and confusion each time he lies to cover his tracks. Along the way he comes face to face with some surprising and uncomfortable truths.
Q: You play the role of Michel – can you tell us about him and how he fits into the storyline?
Alex: Michel is the man having the affair. He’s a man who likes to compartmentalise his life and who struggles to cope when, as frequently happens, those compartments are undermined and broken.
Q: The transfer of The Truth follows a smash-hit sell out run at the Menier. Will the production ‘evolve’ for the transfer?
Alex: Any good production should keep on evolving to a greater or lesser degree. Playing in a different theatre will certainly accelerate this, at least to start with.
Q: What do you enjoy most about The Truth?
Alex: Firstly: sharing the stage with three fabulous actors namely Tanya Franks, Frances O’Connor and Robert Portal, who off-stage are equally fabulous as people. Secondly: stepping into Michel’s shoes, going on that mad, chaotic, desperate journey, and getting a fair few belly laughs along the way.
Q: What next for you after The Truth?
Alex: Funnily enough I will be going to Paris, the city of Florian Zeller, to play Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, at the Théâtre du Châtelet.
Q: Why should everyone spend their hard-earned money on this play?
Alex: It’s stimulating, keeps you on your toes, and will make you laugh till your sides ache. it is, moreover, only an hour and a half long (without an interval) so there’s time for a spot of dinner, afterwards and you’ll still be home and tucked up in bed before midnight. What’s not to like!
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*****
Alexander Hanson’s previous work for the Menier includes A Little Night Music (also West End and Broadway). His other theatre credits include The Gathered Leaves (Park Theatre), The Wars of the Roses, Single Spies (Rose Theatre Kingston), Accolade (St James Theatre), Stephen Ward (Aldwych), An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville), Jesus Christ Superstar (UK arena tour), Marguerite (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Sound of Music (London Palladium), We Will Rock You (Dominion), Candide, Copenhagen, The Merchant of Venice (National Theatre), Sunset Boulevard (Adelphi), Talking to Terrorists (Royal Court) and Hay Fever and Translations (Chichester Festival Theatre). For television, his work includes The Man Who Crossed Hitler, Party Animals, The Fugitives, Auf Wiedersehen Pet and The Last Detective; and for film, Kidulthood.
The Truth
Wyndham’s Theatre
32-36 Charing Cross Road
London, WC2H 0DA
Booking to 3rd september 2016