I saw The Truth last year and so was really interested to see what I thought would be the start of the story and the events that unravel so cleverly in The Truth. Although The Lie definitely focussed on the events, it wasn’t the start of the story that I was hoping for and expecting; however, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of it.
It’s perhaps not as clever, witty, fast paced or surprising as The Truth, but Alexander Hanson, a late addition to the cast as James Dreyfus had to pull out for medical reasons, drives the action forward and is the star of the show. His also having appeared in The Truth, although in the opposite pairing role, subtly links the two plays; and him playing opposite his real-life wife, Samantha Bond, is an ingenious piece of casting and gives the show an added spark. The fact that he plays his character almost in exactly the same way as he did his opposite character in The Truth didn’t matter as he is wonderful to watch.
Although there are laugh out loud moments, this play is bittersweet and leaves you feeling slightly dejected - I wouldn’t recommend seeing this unless you are completely happy and secure in any romantic relationship you might be in!
It only being one act means that you don’t get too uncomfortable on the Menier’s seats, but I think that the play could be a little longer to take advantage of, and play a bit more with, the plot twists. It would also allow Tony Gardner’s Michel and Alexandra Gilbreath’s Laurence to feature more in the action. These are minors points though for what is a polished and entertaining, if darkly insightful, piece.