at the Lambeti Terrace—G. Lembesis Summer Stage
“What would you do if you saw your best friend’s husband kissing someone else? Would you tell her?”
This question sets off a fast-paced game of misunderstandings, where laughter springs from doubts, twists, and the little, everyday lies that couples tell each other.
Oscar-winning director Florian Zeller presents a delightful, lighthearted, and unpredictable comedy full of twists, questions, and… lies. Because in the end, it doesn’t matter who tells the truth, but who tells the best lie.
Manolis Dounias
The Lambeti Theater welcomes summer with one of the most clever and sensitive contemporary comedies: “The Lie” by the award-winning French playwright Florian Zeller, directed by Manolis Dounias.
On the idyllic terrace of the Lambeti Theater, the play explores—with humor, irony, and tenderness—the complexity of truth and the role of lies in human relationships. Zeler, with his distinctive style, invites the audience to laugh, question, and reflect.
The play opens on Tuesday, June 10, offering Athenian audiences an ideal theatrical experience under the city’s summer sky.
A few words about the project:
Two couples. An affair that may or may not have happened. A dinner that’s in danger of falling apart. What is the truth, after all? How long can a relationship last without the white lies we tell out of love or self-interest?
With a structure reminiscent of a well-crafted role-playing game and a “biting” sense of humor, Zeller constructs a universe where honesty is not a given and lies take on a human, almost redemptive face.
As the author himself has stated:
“A lie isn’t always the enemy. Sometimes, it’s the only defense against the collapse of our daily lives.”
Because sometimes, telling a little white lie is the greatest act of love…
The approach to the performance:
Manolis Dounias delivers an ingenious direction that highlights the play’s elegance, subtle irony, and underlying emotional depth.
Alongside him are four outstanding lead actors: Petros Lagoutis, Dani Giannakopoulou, Nikos Gelia, and Katerina Nikolopoulou, who portray the characters with naturalness and a brisk pace, balancing between comedy and drama with effortless skill.
The play in international theater:
“The Lie” premiered in Paris in 2014 to great acclaim and continues to be performed internationally as one of the most incisive and contemporary commentaries on truth and relationships in our time.
A Different Kind of Theater Night:
The fully renovated rooftop of the Lambeti Theater offers a unique setting beneath the Athenian sky. The open-air air conditioning and the new bar create a summer experience that combines cool comfort, theater, and entertainment.
Premiere: Tuesday , June 10 Days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Start time: 9:00 p.m.
Group Reservations Department: 2111026277 & 210 2117240 ext. 305 ( weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) – email: [email protected]
