Samantha Bond to star in The Lie at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Initial casting has been announced for the English language world premiere of Florian Zeller's The Lie, which will open at the Menier Chocolate Factory in September.

Downton Abbey star Samantha Bond, whose West End theatre credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Passion Play and Arcadia, will lead the cast of Zeller's play which has been adapted by Christopher Hampton.

The Lie 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. Further casting to be announced.

Zeller's latest play follows on from previous collaborations with Hampton in London with the Tricycle Theatre playing host to 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. Tickets go on general sale today.