The Truth hurts in yet another Florian Zeller sell-out

Best bit: Michel’ unravelling when he hears the 'truth' about his wife

Any boring bits? The interactions between Michel and Alice can seem staged at times and lacking evidence of the passionate spark that started this whole mess

Who would like it? Fans of clever comedy and the masters of relationship drama such as Mamet and Chekhov

Who wouldn't like it? Those who like stories with unexpected twists and turns, or plays which keep the audience on their toes

Morning after effect: Wishing I could have made this a Zeller Trifecta by watching The Mother when it was on earlier this year

Verdict: We give it four out of five stars

Alexander Hanson's portrayal of a narcissistic adulterer is sublime in this dark comedy by Florian Zeller, and helps hold the production together amidst occasionally shaky scenes. Transferring to the West End from the Menier after a sold-out run, those expecting the same degree of raw insight as The Father will be left surprised - as I was - upon leaving the The Truth. Though the lead is male once again, that's where the comparisons end. Businessman Michel is entirely self-absorbed and his interactions with those closest to him are most often driven by his own needs. He's a cheat, a liar, and honestly quite deluded on what it means to be faithful both in friendship and love, but you just can't help hang onto every moment.

The casting of Tanya Franks as his long-suffering wife - or so we are led to believe - and Frances O'Connor as Alice - his mistress and best friend's wife - works well together with one playing the saucy 'other woman' and the other every bit the weary mother-and-wife. It's only as the play develops that we begin to see how interchangeable their two characters actually are, almost as if they are both different aspects of one person. At times the dialogue between the characters didn't flow as naturally as one would hope in a play of this nature, with Alice slipping into a faux French accent in between Eaton English which was confusing and slightly annoying to be honest.

As said earlier though, Hanson's performance is splendid, particularly as he sinks deeper into the lies he has woven and, to his horror, discovers that he may also be one of the victims of a very lenient definition of the 'truth'. He swings between being the smooth talking casanova and a spitting-angry husband on cue, and this is even more impressive given that he is on the stage at all times accompanied only by one of the three other cast members. I'd be surprised if there wasn't acknowledgment of his triumph here when it comes to this season's Olivier nominations.

INSIDERS TIP: With no interval, the play finishes early enough to catch the last of the English sunshine and with enough time to enjoy a post-theatre dinner if you aren't in a hurry to get back home

Reviewed by Wendy van de Weg

Thursday 30th June 2016
Wyndhams Theatre, London
Find me on Twitter: @_londontheatre_

View our show pages for more information about The Truth, Wyndhams Theatre.