Full casting announced for The Lie at Menier Chocolate Factory

Full casting has been announced for the UK premiere of Florian Zeller's The Lie, which opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory in September.

Joining the previously announced Downton Abbey star Samantha Bond, will be James Dreyfus, Tony Gardner and Alexandra Gilbreath.

Dreyfus returns to the Menier following his performances in Candide and The Common Pursuit, his other stage credits include The Master Builder (The Old Vic) and Harvey (Theatre Royal Haymarket). Gardner's credits include The Rivals (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and Bedroom Farce (Duke of York’s Theatre). Gilbreath was last seen in Oliver Cotton's Dessert at Southwark Playhouse and is an associate artist at the RSC.

Zeller's play, which has been adapted by Christopher Hampton, tells the story of Alice (Bond) who spots her friend's husband with another woman. Alice believes she should tell her friend but her husband thinks it is better to lie.

After their production of Zeller's The Truth – which transferred to the West End and was nominated for an Olivier Award – Lindsay Posner returns to direct the piece, which will also have set design by Anna Fleischle, costume by Loren Elstein, lighting by Howard Harrison, sound by Gregory Clarke, and original music by Isobel Waller-Bridge.

Zeller's latest play follows on from previous collaborations with Hampton in London with the Tricycle Theatre hosting The Father in 2015 and The Mother in 2016.

The Lie runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 27 September to 18 November, with previews from 14 September.