The Truth Review at Apollo Theatre London

Apollo Theatre’s star-studded production of Florian Zeller’s The Truth is making its West End revival for a strictly limited 14-week run. Directed by Lindsay Posner, this quick-witted, devious comedy is an absolute hoot, capped off with fantastic performances from its hyped-up cast.

The story follows Michel (Stephen Mangan) as he desperately tries to protect the truth of his affair with Alice (Sarah Hadland), his best friend’s wife. Following conversations with his own wife, Laurence (Janie Dee), and his best friend, Paul (Ardal O’Hanlon), Michel loses control of his web of lies, leaving him to wonder whether his own deception is about to be uncovered, or if everyone else is lying to him.

The narrative flows effortlessly, with each scene introduced like a sitcom episode, a credit to Richard Howell’s snappy lighting design. Likewise, Lizzie Clachan’s exquisite set design makes the stage engaging, using large pieces of modern art and luxurious furniture to set the ambience of sophisticated European life.

Posner uses Zeller’s playful language as the driving force for the comedy. The rhythmic, table-tennis-style call and response is executed brilliantly by the cast, with Mangan often aggressively repeating lines back to deflect scrutiny. Marital misogyny is also explored in Michel’s humorous encounters with Paul. Zeller’s punchline, “To think I even let you win at tennis,” hilariously jabs at how men often treat their male competitive friendships more seriously than their marriages.

Mangan shines as a conniving cheater, beautifully balancing awkwardness and defensiveness while consistently gaslighting his way out of trouble. He crescendos into an erratic fool, becoming increasingly grotesque in his dialect and physicality. This stark contrast to his counterparts makes him incredibly compelling to watch.

Furthermore, each cast member plays a distinct and vital role in the story. Hadland’s portrayal of the guilt-ridden Alice is bold and direct, offering a clear path for Michel to tell the truth. On the other hand, Dee’s well-spoken performance as Michel’s suspicious wife is sophisticated, subtly reinforcing Michel’s decision to maintain the pretence. Then comes the final piece of the jigsaw: O’Hanlon, whose smart performance successfully attempts to one-up Michel, landing the plot twists with ease. The way the cast works together to bring Zeller’s punchy script to life is a testament to why they are some of the most popular names in comedy.

Overall, The Truth is a deceptive, laugh-out-loud comedy that is certain to be a crowd-pleaser.

The Truth plays at Apollo Theatre until 12 September 2026.

Where I Sat

I was sitting in seat Stalls Q11 for this performance of The Truth. It is located towards the back of the stalls area, but central. The Apollo Theatre’s traditional low down seats often meant that my view of the stage was obstructed by other audience members. However, the seats themselves were comfortable with sufficient leg room.

Have You Seen The Truth?

Will you be checking out this star-studded cast in this striking revival of Florian Zeller’s comedy in the West End for a limited time? Add your review to SeatPlan and let everyone know what you thought. You’ll even earn points towards theatre vouchers if you add a seat photo!

Reviewed by Becky Kroon for SeatPlan, June 2026.