ROBERT Maxwell was a man who created a media empire, stole his employees' pensions, then fell off a boat - or was he?

Lies Have Been Told - An Evening with Robert Maxwell from September 23 to 25 at Guildford's Mill Studio is an Edinburgh Fringe hit play which aims to tell the truth about the legend... or possibly not!

RSC and National Theatre actor Philip York (pictured) takes on the larger than life Maxwell in a play described as "thought-provoking, powerful and hilarious" by Fringe review Three Weeks.

With just a desk and an attitude to support him, York's Maxwell confronts his audience with various versions of his colourful life - and suspicious death.

York explains: "I didn't want to do a scurrilous piece about the injustices of his dealings. They've been documented well enough. I was more interested in what made him tick. Why did he behave in such an extraordinary way?"

Lies Have Been Told was written by Alfold-based Rod Beacham, who said that two things struck him about the Maxwell story.

"First was that his initial achievements, which included transforming himself from a Czech Jew teenager who had never tasted meat to the proud owner of Pergamon Press," he said.

"Secondly was the way the owners of the News of the World thwarted his bid by selling the paper to Murdoch at a cut price to keep the paper in 'British' hands. I wondered how much these things influenced what he turned into."

Tickets, costing £10 (£5 student standby), are available from the box office on 01483 440000.