Audition Notice
The Truth
By Florian Zeller
Directed by George Werther
PERFORMANCE PERIOD
30 July – 8 August 2025
SYNOPSIS
Michel is having an affair with Alice the wife of his best friend Paul, who may be having an
affair with Michel’s wife Laurence. THE TRUTH is a comedy of marital infidelity, deceit,
hypocrisy and self-deception. It follows Michel who, after a tryst with Alice, tries to cover his
tracks with increasingly elaborate lies, only to find himself trapped in a web where reality
shifts, leaving the audience questioning what’s true versus what’s convenient. Hypocrisy,
and the nature of relationships are explored through shifting perspectives. This results in a
series of scenes of increasing awkwardness for the protagonists, but great hilarity for the
audience.
“THE TRUTH is a devious must see you do not want to miss.”– The Guardian
“THE TRUTH is full of moments that will fill the audience with the catharsis of
comedy.”– SEEstage
MICHEL Age 45-60
He is a businessman, married to Laurence for 20 years, and having an affair with Alice, wife
of his best friend Paul. He is a hypocritical liar, who resorts to increasing webs of layer upon
layer of lies, to cover his deceit, but becomes indignant when he feels his wife and friend
have offended him. His underlying anxiety about being found out is apparent, but often
covered by his inappropriate anger about his wife and friend. A challenging and juicy role
ALICE Age 40-55
Married to Paul (Michel’s best friend), and involved in a six months affair with Michel. She is
playful, sexually attractive and smart, but frustrated by Michel’s lack of feeling,
heartlessness and guilt. She wants more, and she hates the lies, which she also tells.
However, compared to Michel she is more perceptive – and has her own secrets, keeping
Michel and the audience guessing as to her intentions. A layered and intriguing role.
LAURENCE Age 40-55
Michel’s wife is coolly self-contained in questioning his increasingly odd activities and
behaviours. She is insightful, suspicious of Michel’s activities but plays along, playing him.
She has a dry sense of humour. She too lies, but is underlyingly sad. A linchpin key role.
PAUL Age 45-60
Michel’s best friend and married to Alice, he is, recently unemployed. He is smart, allknowing,
philosophical, and inscrutable, playing his hand like a poker master. He exploits then irony of being Michel’s best friend in a calm and delicious way. A deft and artful role.
DATES:
Sunday 15th March, 2026 at 2.00 – 5:00 pm
AND
Monday 16th March, 2026 at 7:00 – 10:00 pm
There may be call-backs on subsequent evenings
BOOKINGS Please contact the director George Werther by email on
werther110@gmail.com (with your theatre CV and headshot please) or by phone on
0402 222 090 to discuss interest in an audition.
LOCATION
Unit 8/417-419 Warrigal Road, Cheltenham
Please check that you are available for all performance dates before booking your
audition time. Please also inform the director if there are any rehearsal dates on which you
are not available.
It is essential that you are familiar with the play. When booking an audition time, please
download a copy of the script here TheTruthZeller-SCRIPT paginated
and ensure that you have read it before your audition.
Auditions will be by individual appointment, at 15-20 minute intervals.
Auditions will involve reading from specified sections of the script, which will be provided
to you at least two weeks before your audition. There is no need to memorise anything for
the audition, but you should make yourself aware of subtle French sensibility and nuance.
The humour involves playing the characters straight without exaggeration. You may be asked to respond to some simple directions, including attempting a French accent.
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your audition time, and let the director know if you are unable to attend, or are delayed.
Please note: anyone who is offered a role will be asked to pay a $20 fee for membership and insurance.
Routine rehearsals will be 7:30-10:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and 2:00-
5:00pm Sunday afternoons or 7-10pm Sunday evenings – according to cast preference
Rehearsals will commence in late May.
Actors need to be able to commit unconditionally not only for the entire performance season
but also for all scheduled rehearsals at which their attendance is required.
Rehearsal location
The Girl Guide Hall, Glebe Avenue, Cheltenham.
Thursday 30th July to Saturday 8th August, 2026 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkers Road, Parkdale
Evening performances 8:00pm
Thu 30, Fri 31 July, Sat 1, Wed 5, Thu 6, Fri 7, Sat 8 Aug
Matinee Performances 2:00pm
Sat 1, Sun 2, Sat 8 August
It is essential that you have read the play
Download a copy hereTheTruthZeller-SCRIPT paginated
There is no need to memorise anything for the audition, but you should make yourself aware of subtle French sensibility and nuance.
The humour involves playing the characters straight without exaggeration. You may be asked to respond to some simple directions, including attempting a French accent.