Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
Nowhere is this more true than in French playwright Florian Zeller’s, The Truth, expertly translated into English by Christopher Hampton. The Black Box Theatre proudly brings the United States premier of this script to the Quad Cities. With dogged determination, BBT co-founder Lora Adams pursued, over a period of years, permission to produce this show. Her tenacity paid off.
Making his directing debut at The Black Box Theatre is multi-talented Bradley Robert Jensen, himself a gifted playwright. In what I would describe as a winking nod to both Zeller and Hampton is that while there are references to locations in France the show is performed with subtle British accents and demeanor.
This farce is a delightfully delicious labyrinth of multiple deceptions between two couples: Michel and Laurence, and Paul and Alice. They are intimately involved in romantic liaisons with each other’s spouses and each thinks the others don’t know – or do they? Michel perpetrates most of the lies and it is only his and Alice’s affair of which we are absolutely sure.
The show consists of seven scenes during which the couples tip toe through multiple duplicities in their cat-and-mouse conversations, never fully revealing their roles in the hanky-panky. Lest you think this devolves into mayhem, instead the action maintains “veddy, veddy” British restraint that tickles your sensibilities.
This four person ensemble cast consists of Quad Cities’ favorites: Matt Walsh as Michel, Lora Adams as Laurence, Jonathan Grafft plays Paul and as his wife Alice is his real-life wife, Ann Grafft. This quartet delivers a stunning performance of near perfection. Ninety minutes flies by and will leave you wanting more.
This venue has always been creative with its sets, given its tight performance space. Lora Adams has designed a tasteful motel room with a retractable bed that easily and nearly silently slides offstage to convert the space to the characters’ home. Really clever and really well executed.
Zut alors! Quelle Joie! The BBT is performing this premier for three weekends which leaves ample opportunity to see this show and you don’t want to miss it.
The Truth continues at The Black Box Theatre, 1623 5th Avenue in Moline, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday August 23, 24, 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday August 25 and 30 at 2:00 p.m.
Je suis Chris Hicks…break a leg.