The Chinese versions of The Truth & The Lie are currently being staged alternately at Jasmine Theatre. These two independent and interdependent comedies subtly and cruelly dissect from different angles how hypocrisy and lies maintain the relationship between husband and wife.
"The Truth" is a well-known French contemporary comedy work in Shanghai, although the play has been performed for many years, but the audience is still full of enthusiasm:
"100 minutes of set within a set, simple and smooth, true and false, layer by layer, witty words."
"The script peels the onion fruit and technique is outstanding, absurd and thought-provoking, interesting!"
"The Truth" and "The Lie" are different scripts created by the same screenwriter. Although the characters and relationships are the same in the two plays, the two plays tell two stories that can be watched independently, and also explore the opposing topic of "truth and lies" from different angles. In the complex relationship between two couples, a pair of friends, and four people in the play, they don't know if a lie out of love is necessary? Is confession a testimony of love? When the lies are intertwined, they are mired in a mystery and can't figure out what the truth is...
Black humor is back, loyal to the gospel
The Truth made its world premiere in 2011 and was nominated for Best Comedy at the 2017 "Lawrence Oliver Awards" and received much attention and praise. The British "Guardian" commented: "The Truth is as smooth as a dance, the plot is constantly spinning on the toes, it is disturbing and hilarious and a must-see performance - full of meaning in the shallow. The Financial Times praised the show: "Dark, intelligent, unbearably funny." " Stage " magazine said: " Zeller continued the glory of Mina Reza '90s, using short French scripts to portray the ridiculous and serious misfortunes of reality with glamorous and comical stories." ”
From 2017 to 2018, the Chinese version of "The Truth" was first launched at the Shanghai Drama Art Center, and it was hard to find a ticket, and then there was no lack of audiences. After watching the performance, they commented that the play was "an unexpected surprise, a psychological drama full of comedy effects, layer by layer fascinating, full of laughter and endless memories." ”
At the beginning of 2020, "The Truth" and its "twin" work "Lies" were staged alternately for the first time, with a more in-depth analysis and presentation from different levels. The reversal of "heart-beating like riding a roller coaster" resonated and responded to by the audience. In 2023, as soon as the two works were ticketed, they attracted much attention.
A golden partner, bringing a new stage presentation
Screenwriter Florian Zeller is one of France's hottest contemporary novelists and playwrights. He was named "the most exciting screenwriter of our time" by The Guardian. His works have been translated into many Chinese dialects, and several plays have won the Molière Prize, the highest prize of the French Theatre Festival. Among them, the most famous "Father" not only won multiple awards, but also received a five-star rating when performing in London's West End, and was selected as one of the best works of the year. In 2021, he was adapted into the movie "Father Trapped in Time", and he personally directed him and won the "Academy Award" for Best Screenplay Adaptation.
Another characteristic of Zeller's work is that he often writes "twin plays": for example, "Father" and "Mother" have been staged on stage, and the other pair of works is "Truth" and "Lies" staged at the Jasmine Theater.
The Chinese version of "The Truth" and "Lies" is directed by Tian Shui, a national first-class actor, director of Shanghai Drama Art Center and actor; Fu Zhonghao, young director of Shanghai Drama Arts Center, served as the rehearsal director; Chen Jiaoying, Ma Qingli, Xu Shengnan and Cheng Ziming four powerful actors co-starring.
Fluidity rotates the stage to enhance the rhythm of the story
The stage sets of this round of "The Truth" and "Lies" intend to drive the development of the plot with smooth, rhythmic scene transitions, so the turntable method is chosen to present different scenes.
Especially in the first three scenes of "The Truth", in which the actors will enter three rooms in a row, lie on three beds, and communicate with two different women, the fluidity of the turntable makes it an interesting moving line picture.
In the layout of the space, the size of the real home space and the arrangement of furniture are restored as much as possible, and the lighting will also use the effect of home lights instead of stage lamps.
Show information
Performance time: June 23 - July 16, 2023 (schedule as follows)
Venue: Jasmine Theater
Ticket price: 180/280/380/580 yuan
* June 28 "The Truth" and June 29 "Lies" 150 yuan for the whole show
* Each performance comes with an 80 RMB sight-obstruction ticket
* Recommended for viewers aged 16 and above
* The specific performance information and lineup are subject to the announcement of the theater on the day