The Unfriend | |
---|---|
Written by | Steven Moffat |
Characters | Debbie Elsa Peter Rosie The Neighbour PC Junkin Alex |
Date premiered | 21 May 2022 |
Place premiered | Minerva Theatre, Chichester |
Original language | English |
The Unfriend is a play written by Steven Moffat. The plot centres on suburban couple Peter and Debbie, whose polite invitation to a stranger on holiday has dire consequences.
The play was due to premiere at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester as part of the 2020 Festival. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the play was postponed to 2022. [1] The play began previews on 21 May 2022, with a press night on 26 May. It ended its planned limited run on 9 July 2022. The play is directed by Mark Gatiss (in his directorial debut), designed by Robert Jones, lighting design by Mark Henderson and starring Amanda Abbington, Frances Barber and Reece Shearsmith. [2] [3]
The playtext was published by Nick Hern Books on 26 May 2021. [4]
The Unfriend transferred to the West End, opening at the Criterion Theatre on 19 January 2023, following previews from 15 January. [5] It played a limited run to 16 April 2023, with the original cast from Chichester all returning.
In July 2023, it was announced the play would return for another West End run at the Wyndham's Theatre, starring Lee Mack, Sarah Alexander and Frances Barber returning as Elsa, with performances between 16 December 2023 and 9 March 2024. [6]
Character | Chichester | West End | West End Remount [7] |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 2023 | ||
Debbie | Amanda Abbington | Sarah Alexander | |
Elsa | Frances Barber | ||
Peter | Reece Shearsmith | Lee Mack | |
Rosie | Maddie Holliday | ||
The Neighbour | Michael Simkins | Nick Sampson | |
PC Junkin | Marcus Onilude | Muzz Khan | |
Alex | Gabriel Howell | Jem Matthews |
The Chichester production of the play received positive reviews from WhatsOnStage.com, [8] The Daily Telegraph , [9] The Stage and The Guardian . [10]
Timeout magazine described the West End production as "Waffly, unfocused and above all, bland". [11]
Steven William Moffat is a Scottish television writer, television producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his work as the second showrunner and head writer of the 2005 revival of the BBC sci-fi television series Doctor Who (2010–2017) and co-creating and co-writing the contemporary crime drama television series Sherlock, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories (2010–2017). In the 2015 Birthday Honours, Moffat was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to drama.
Mark Gatiss is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer and novelist. His work includes writing for and acting in the television series Doctor Who, Sherlock, Game of Thrones and Dracula. Together with Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Jeremy Dyson, he is a member of the comedy team The League of Gentlemen.
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Reeson Wayne "Reece" Shearsmith is an English actor, writer and comedian. He is best known for being a member of The League of Gentlemen, with Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, and Jeremy Dyson. He later created, wrote and starred in the sitcom Psychoville, with Pemberton, as well as the dark comedy anthology series, Inside No. 9. He has had notable roles in Spaced and The World's End.
Lee Gordon McKillop, known by his stage name Lee Mack, is an English comedian, actor, podcaster and presenter.
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