Proudly sponsored by Christopher Finlayson
The Lie
By Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton.
Directed by Ross Jolly
Starring Claire Dougan, Gavin Rutherford, Bronwyn Turei and Andrew Foster.
Circa One
7 April - 5 May
Tues – Thurs 6.30pm, Fri - Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm, $25 – $52
We now live in a world of “alternative facts”. If we can’t trust our leaders to be truthful, can we really trust our
lovers?
Introducing Florian Zeller’s hot, new comedy.
There is no doubt that the French author Florian Zeller is the playwright de jour. His astonishingly brilliant play THE FATHER, a tragicomic take on dementia, was a highly acclaimed hit, both internationally and here in Wellington. And now he
turns effortlessly to devious modern comedy.
Fresh from its recent sold-out London run comes the New Zealand premiere of Zeller's latest play, THE LIE an amusing take on truth, lies and infidelity. It features Zeller's hallmarks of sharp writing, a flirtatious desire to
provoke and tease audiences.
Michel and Laurence are coming for dinner. But Alice has spotted Michel kissing another woman that very afternoon
leaving her with the dilemma, should she tell her friend what she saw or not? Her husband Paul believes it is better to
behave as if nothing has happened; Alice is far from sure. As their own relationship is held up to scrutiny …it becomes
clear that some truths are best left unsaid…. In affairs of the heart, the line between truth and lie can be a dangerous
one to cross.
Drawing from the rich vein of classic French comedies, THE LIE is a ruthless, witty examination of love and deceit in this age of ‘’alternative facts’’, ‘’fake news’’ and ‘’white
lies’’. The great success of Zeller’s critically acclaimed plays owes much to the pitch-perfect translations by the
highly successful Christopher Hampton (LES LIASON DANGEREUSES). The pairing of these two extraordinary talents is devastatingly effective. THE LIE is smart, surprising and painfully funny.
‘’This French writer Florian Zeller is certainly one very talented homme. I very much enjoyed directing THE FATHER and
now (with a fantastic cast), am having great fun with THE LIE. I am amazed at Zeller’s versatility. He has pivoted from
comic tragedy (THE FATHER) to thoughtful smart modern comedy. In THE LIE two couples find themselves ensnared in the
spiraling tissue of deceit that keeps us intrigued and entertained. Zeller, a meticulous craftsman mines the comedy in
the ever shifting layers of infidelity to devastating effect… and exposes some of the hypocrisies which sustain modern
life. It is indeed a devious must see.’’ -Ross Jolly, Director