The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that Alexander Hanson joins the company of the English-language premiere of Florian Zeller’s The Lie, playing the husband of his real-life spouse Samantha Bond. Hanson replaces James Dreyfus who has regretfully had to withdraw from the production on medical advice. Tony Gardner and Alexandra Gilbreath complete the company.
The production was due to commence previews tomorrow (14 September 2017), ahead of a press night on 27 September 2017, running until 18 November. The cast and creative team are working hard to put the play on stage at the earliest opportunity to honour as many previews as possible. However, due to Hanson stepping in so late in the rehearsal process, it is likely that some previews will be cancelled – the Menier will be in touch directly with any members of the public affected.
Alice spots her friend’s husband with another woman. Should she tell her friend the truth…or lie? Her husband Paul is convinced that it is better to lie. But in doing so, who is being protected and who suffers? Both find out that in matters of the heart, the line between the truth and a lie can be a dangerous one to cross.
Alexander Hanson starred in last year’s English-language premiere of Zeller’s companion piece The Truth – also translated by Hampton and directed by Posner – which transferred to the West End after its initial run at the Menier Chocolate Factory and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Comedy.
Hanson also starred in the Chocolate Factory production of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music (also West End and Broadway). His many 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 Lie is designed by Anna Fleischle; with costume design by Loren Elstein; lighting design by Howard Harrison; sound design by Gregory Clarke and original music by Isobel Waller-Bridge. Presented by arrangement with Theatre Royal Bath Productions.
