Theatre Review: The Truth Teller - King's Head Theatre, London
The Truth Teller
By David Cook
Monday 16th April 2012: Once ushered into the quaint theatre The Kings Head, the play is quick to begin. The lights suddenly come on displaying a man and a woman.
The play begins with an argument. An argument between Jonathon (Tom Radford), a compulsive liar against his will but is also desperately in love with his girlfriend Lucy (Sammy Kissin), who is quite clearly losing patience with his elaborate lying. The audience quickly learn that despite this relationship being based on lies the two characters are madly in love and ultimately want to make it work.
You share their frustration and want them to solve this problem. After them dismissing several somewhat comical ideas as to how they can make it work, with my favourite being the suggestion of a speechless relationship, Lucy has a revelation; Jonathon must go to a shrink.
The audience are introduced to the character Shane (Gary Cady) who portrays a wonderfully patronising shrink who we can see wants to help cure Jonathon of his lying. Throughout this scene one cannot help but draw similarities from the recent British historical film, The Kings Speech, with the relationship between Jonathon and Shane mirroring that of Bertie and Lionel’s at points.
Although all the actors give a strong performance, for me the character Sasrutha (Naveed Khan) steals the show with his comedic portrayal of a suicidal Asian shopkeeper. Kahn’s characterisation of Sasrutha is spot on with the audience left feeling somewhat sorry for him.
Through the charming comedy and the philosophical discussions the play makes you question the notion of truth, in particular where do you draw the line with being truthful? Writer David Crook has created a charming play that despite its slightly unrealistic plot has a great human quality about it that the audience can relate to.
The total running time is, 90 minutes (without interval).
Review by Rachel Toye
115 Upper Street
London
N1 1QN
Sunday April 22 at 7.15pm
Monday April 23 at 7.15pm
Sunday April 29 at 7.15pm
Monday April 30 at 7.15pm
Sunday May 6 at 3.00pm
Sunday May 6 at 7.15pm
Tickets:
£10.00 - £25.00
www.kingsheadtheatre.com
Box office: 020 7478 0160
