Pride The Musical
I am always a little wary when a show advertises itself as a comedy. Too often that means there might be one or two amusing moments, but very little that genuinely makes an audience laugh. Thankfully, The Truth, directed by Lindsay Posner, completely bucks that trend. From the opening scenes right through to the final moments, the audience around me was laughing out loud on countless occasions.
The premise is deceptively simple. Two couples are at the centre of the story, with the two husbands being best friends. It soon emerges that one of the men is having an affair with the other man's wife. From there, Florian Zeller's script twists and turns through lies, misunderstandings and revelations, constantly keeping the audience guessing. There are so many layers to the story that it's almost impossible to discuss some of the best moments without spoiling them, and this is definitely a play where the surprises are best experienced first-hand.
Stephen Mangan plays Michel, a man who is utterly self-centred and blissfully oblivious to the chaos he creates around him. At first, I wondered if the performance was slightly exaggerated, but then I remembered that I have met people remarkably similar to Michel! Mangan's energetic performance perfectly captures the character's vanity and lack of self-awareness, making him endlessly entertaining to watch. His comic timing is exceptional, and he keeps the pace moving throughout.
Ardal O'Hanlon plays Paul, Michel's best friend. Having seen him in a variety of television roles over the years, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, as his performances can vary considerably depending on the material. Fortunately, this is one of his strongest performances. Paul's character develops in interesting ways, even during moments when he isn't on stage, and O'Hanlon plays him with genuine sincerity while still retaining the warm, jovial charm that audiences know him for. He strikes an excellent balance between comedy and believable emotion.
Sarah Hadland is equally impressive as Alice, the woman whose affair sets the entire plot in motion. She brings a playful, flirtatious quality to the role without ever making the character feel one-dimensional. Her performance feels wonderfully natural, and she effortlessly fits into the rapid-fire exchanges that make the dialogue so enjoyable.
Janie Dee, as Laurence, perhaps has the trickiest role of all. She is the most grounded character in the play, and Dee delivers a beautifully understated performance. Some of her finest moments require very little dialogue at all. A glance, a pause or a simple expression speaks volumes, and there were several occasions where the audience audibly gasped as another revelation unfolded. It showed great skill to say much without needing words.
The production itself is equally impressive. Lizzie Clachan's mid-century modern set is elegant and stylish, providing a luxurious backdrop without ever distracting from the action. What particularly caught my attention was the clever way the design embraced practicality. Rather than introducing entirely new scenery for every location, furniture was repurposed seamlessly from one setting to another. An office desk becomes a dining table, and hotel rooms intentionally resemble one another, echoing the script's own playful repetition. Instead of feeling repetitive, these choices actually enhance the comedy, reinforcing the absurdity of the situations the characters continually find themselves in.
The creative team deserves considerable praise. Lindsay Posner's direction keeps the pace brisk while allowing every joke room to land. Richard Howell's lighting and Adam Cork's sound design subtly support the action without ever drawing attention away from the performances, creating a polished production that feels effortless.
What impressed me most was the way the comedy continually builds. By the final act, you think you've worked out where the next joke is heading, only for the script to twist things in a completely unexpected direction. Zeller cleverly plays with familiar comic conventions and repeated situations but constantly finds fresh ways to surprise the audience. It is smart, witty writing that rewards your attention throughout.
I should mention that there are a few stronger words and moments that some audience members may find a little risqué. However, everything fits naturally within the world of the play and, if anything, the occasional shock simply makes the comedy even funnier.
I thoroughly enjoyed this production. It is sharp, sophisticated and genuinely hilarious, with four outstanding performances and a script that never stops finding inventive ways to make its audience laugh. If you enjoy intelligent comedy with plenty of twists, The Truth is well worth seeing.
This show was reviewed on Thursday 25th June 2026 at the Apollo Theatre, London.
Review written by Valentine Gale-Sides
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