REVIEW: LIE CLUB by Rachel DeFontes and Peter Jeffries at Etcetera Theatre 17 – 27 October 2024

‘clever writing, riffing on the Fight Club modus operandi’ ★★★★

The film ‘Fight Club’, released in 1999 was a forerunner of a whole raft of films which messed with ‘truth’ as we know it, with such films as The Matrix and Joker following after, they have become cult classics.  Dark comedy thriller Lie Club had a huge success at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is now touring, firstly to Etcetera Theatre in Camden. 

Excellent new writing by Rachel DeFontes and Peter Jeffries with unconventional storytelling and plot twists, and philosophical enquiry which must inspire discussion on societal norms. Which child has not been told they must not lie? Yet, at times lying, is the kind thing to do, or maybe just convenient because the truth is too hard. However, there is also the possibility of just lying for no good reason.   DeFontes and Jeffries fully explore all aspects of lying, and the outcomes, whilst a love story emerges and the ‘truth’ about the pair is slowly revealed. The programme notes tell the story in brief:

Some lie for attention.

Some lie to protect others.

Some lie to get ahead.

Ben lies because the truth let him down.

Tracey?

She just lies.

The writers are also the performers, with pathological liar Tracy played by DeFontes as a savvy, held together human being with a total addiction to making stuff up.   It is her normal. For Ben, played by Jeffries as a lonely, romantic, it has a very different purpose. The actors are good together, totally believable in their roles and when each of them breaks the fourth wall to address the viewers, one audience member becomes embroiled in the action, without ever having to leave his seat.   Terrific fun, but once this settles down and the pair return to their two-hander, it begins to feel a little long at one hour twenty, but that is not the actual issue. With little lighting and no sound design, there isn’t very much for the eye and no additional interest for the ear. 

This is black box theatre without any need for set, it’s easy to tour, but to really take this play to its happiest place, it needs a little more theatricality. Excellent writing and playing isn’t enough, after all we could just listen to it on the radio whilst doing the dishes. 

Nevertheless, I urge you to see this show, for its originality, and intelligent script. It is produced by Murmuration Studios, a London based company working throughout Europe and the US, and we’re very lucky to have them.

LIE CLUB by Rachel DeFontes and Peter Jeffries at Etcetera Theatre 17 – 27 October 2024

Box Office https://www.citizenticket.com/events/etcetera-theatre/lie-club/

Murmuration Studios

murmurationstudios.co.uk

phone: +44 (0)7939 970852