Sarah Hadland and Stephen Mangan spill their secrets about 'The Truth'

Sarah Hadland and Stephen Mangan are dodging the truth in Florian Zeller's razor-sharp comedy about lies and relationships.

Summary

• Sarah Hadland and Stephen Mangan are starring in Florian Zeller's The Truth
• They star alongside Ardal O’Hanlon and Janie Dee
• The Truth is in performances through 12 September

Sarah Hadland and Stephen Mangan are having a ball appearing in The Truth — Florian Zeller’s knotty comedy about two couples, their relationships, and the lies we tell ourselves. The show follows the self-obsessed Michel, played by Mangan, who is having a secret affair with Alice, played by Hadland. And she just happens to be the wife of his best friend. So what is the line between the truth and a lie? And can Michel outrun the realities of his deceptions?

London Theatre Magazine caught up with Hadland and Mangan to talk about this fast-paced and devious comedy.

Can you tell us about The Truth?

Sarah Hadland: It’s a brilliantly clever play, because you think you know what you’re watching, and as each act progresses, you learn a bit more — it’s definitely a classic case of nothing is what it seems.

Stephen Mangan: It’s a comedy about how relationships are often only a success because of the lies we can tell each other. If we were all 100% honest, 100% of the time, there probably wouldn’t be one couple left on earth.

What struck you most when you first read The Truth?

Mangan: It’s just hilarious right from the beginning. The show keeps pulling the rug out from under the audience’s feet.

Hadland: Nothing is as it seems. Which I feel, in an age of social media, is more relevant than ever. It’s a really timely play because we’ve got slightly confused about what is the truth, about ourselves and others.

Can you relate to your character at all?

Mangan: My character [Michel] is self-obsessed, unable to really see the world from anyone else’s point of view. He’s constantly outraged by other people’s behaviour. He’s a monster, but he’s a kind of monster that you, hopefully, sympathise with a little bit. I would hope I’m a better husband than he is, but that’s not really for me to say!

Hadland: Alice might be the one who has the biggest struggles of conscience, because I think she is the most honest. I’m certainly able to relate to when you’ve been in relationships where you’re sort of thinking, “hang on, what’s going on?”

The play is a razor-sharp comedy, but it’s also emotionally tense. How do you balance those two energies on stage?

Hadland: When we were rehearsing it, we didn’t treat it like a comedy at all. To the point that by the time we got to press night, I was almost thinking, I don’t think this is funny. And then we did the first preview and the audience were hysterical. But it’s a powerful feeling when you hear the audience go very quiet. The reality of life in relationships is one minute you’re laughing, the next minute, you’re not.

The play is so fast-paced and often farcical. How physically demanding is the show?

Mangan: I’m doing all the work — it’s killing me this play! I spend the whole play in a state of high tension, high alert, high anxiety. I’m on stage for the whole 90 minutes. I mean, I’m not digging holes in the road, but it’s pretty full on.

Hadland: We do liken it to a relay, because the scene changes are incredibly slick and fast. We are each coming on and injecting, hopefully, a new feeling or thought to that scene that brings with it an energy for Stephen, to keep him going.

Do you find men and women react differently to the play?

Hadland: It’s fascinating. You can hear women responding more than men at certain things, and vice versa. In the final part of the play, I feel like the women catch on much quicker than the men.

You are also working with Ardal O’Hanlon and Janie Dee. What’s it like working with such a stellar cast?

Mangan: It’s a total joy. It’s a very weirdly structured play in that all the scenes are just two-handers between me and one other. So the others never get to act together. It’s just a treat, but so well cast, the other three are so perfect — they make it easy for me.

Why do you think that plays about relationships and infidelity are always so popular?

Mangan: Our own relationships are fascinating. Everyone has an angle, everyone is coming to the theatre with a window [into] their own story and are enjoying watching this car-crash scenario play out. I think we’re all grateful that’s not our lives.

Hadland: I find nothing more fascinating than seeing people argue. It’s my favourite thing. Because it makes us all feel better and that’s what Florian writes so well, the repetitiveness of arguing.

You have worked extensively in both mediums, but do you prefer TV or theatre?

Mangan: If I had a choice, I would have been on stage the whole time. It's by far my favourite place to be. Since the pandemic, I think people long to be together and to share something with other people. To be in a room, and to say something on stage, and a thousand people to roar with laughter, is just such an exciting place to be. But it’s very hard on family life.

Hadland: I always try to do theatre regularly, because it is the ultimate test as an actor. I love TV and film, but ultimately, you're not in control of it. Whereas with theatre, you're in charge. When you go out onto that stage, you're responsible for what you do. People either laugh or they don't. It's very gladiatorial, but you are connecting with people in real time, and there is no lovelier feeling. I love theatre, and I think we will never replace it, ever.

What do you hope audiences take away from the show?

Hadland: Is honesty the best policy? I think people will have different responses to that. That’s why I think the play is clever, because it’s like: what do you think?

Mangan: We want them to come in and just have a really great time. If it leads to discussions about relationships, fine, but really, a play like this is just a great West End comedy, where you can sit back and watch me being put through the ringer for an hour and a half. And just laugh at me. You’re welcome.

Book The Truth tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

This article first appeared in the August 2026 issue of London Theatre Magazine.

Photo credit: The Truth (Photos by Johan Persson)