Tru: Jesse Tyler Ferguson Puts You Inside Truman Capote’s Apartment at the Menier

Tru | Menier Chocolate Factory until 14 November 2026

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is quite superb in an up-close, immersive evening at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Pull up a chair in Truman Capote’s apartment.

Tru is at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London, but only until November 14th, so time is short if you want to see it. For 90 minutes, you are in the company of Truman Capote, played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, in his apartment.

The play, Tru, was written by Jay Presson Allen, who also penned the screenplays for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Cabaret. It premiered on Broadway in December 1989, with Robert Morse as Capote, a role for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. It was later adapted for television.

The script draws heavily from Capote’s own letters, diaries, and words. While this provides authenticity, it may also account for some of the deficiencies I felt in the play itself.

The “Tru” of the title is, of course, Truman Capote, author of works such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s. His other major success, his masterpiece, was In Cold Blood, published in 1966. This account of the murder of a Kansas farming family was pioneering, a “nonfiction novel” that established an entirely new genre. Capote was also a fixture of high society and a television personality; his Black and White Ball at the Plaza Hotel was considered the party of the decade.

He cultivated close relationships with wealthy, glamorous women, whom he affectionately called his “swans.” Part of his downfall came when he published a chapter of his unfinished novel, Answered Prayers, in magazines, revealing their secrets and naming names. As a result, he was ostracized from their circles.

For anyone who has time before seeing the play, the television series Feud: Capote vs. The Swans is wonderful and provides excellent background context. There are also films: Capote, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Infamous, with Toby Jones. Capote’s brilliant and mannered character makes him a compelling subject for actors.

So, we meet this man in his apartment. The Menier has been completely transformed into a paneled room furnished with sofas, chairs, and tables. Depending on your ticket band, you can reserve stools, chairs, or, if you want to splurge, a sofa. You can even sit cross-legged on the floor. Capote moves around the space, and you are incredibly close to him, truly in the room with him, it’s an amazing experience.

Since seating is unreserved, arriving early is encouraged so you can choose your spot and then take photos. Photography is usually prohibited, but here it’s welcome and well worth doing, as the “apartment” set features an incredible amount of detail, from books to photographs, reminiscent of the intricate designs in Punchdrunk productions.

Is it a one-person play? Almost. Charlotte d’Amboise, a renowned Broadway dancer, makes an appearance. As a bit of a diversion, I’ve been doing a deep dive into Carrie: The Musical by listening to the podcast “Out for Blood.” Charlotte was an original dancer in Carrie: The Musical, which I saw many moons ago at Stratford-upon-Avon, and which is one of the legendary disasters in Broadway history. Here, she gracefully moves around as one of the swans and provides a few voices. She has very little to do, but she adds a very glamorous presence. She sits in the shadows and drifts. She is somewhat overqualified for the role but is well worth watching as she moves in and out of the shadows.

However, this is truly Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s show, and he is quite superb. For 90 minutes, he holds us in thrall, and his performance is far more than mere impersonation. He embodies all of Capote’s mannerisms, both physically and vocally, captivating the audience completely. It was a joy to be in a theatre where you could literally hear a pin drop! It is a wonderful, brilliant performance.

On reflection, I wasn’t quite sure what the point of the play was. But who cares when you’re in such great company? It is best to approach it as if you are listening to someone chatting to you about their life.

So, if you love immersive theatre, want to get up close and personal, and see something truly unique, get yourself to the Menier Chocolate Factory.

The Menier Chocolate Factory has been completely transformed into Truman Capote’s apartment for Tru, and you are so close to Jesse Tyler Ferguson that you are in the room with him. The play is okay, but who cares when you’re in such great company? If you love immersive theatre and want to get up close and personal, this is something really unique.

Seating is unreserved and the room is small, so turn up early, claim a spot near the mantelpiece, and let EyeOnLondon’s photo advice guide your evening before the run ends on 14 November.

Independent arts, culture, ideas and criticism, from London and beyond, at eye-on-london.com.

[Image Credit | Johan Persson]

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