The Unfriend
Buy The Unfriend tickets and enjoy a new comedy that proves manners can be murder!
Amanda Abbington, Reece Shearsmith and Frances Barber star in the West End transfer of Steven Moffat’s hilarious and unsettling satire The Unfriend at the Criterion Theatre.
The Unfriend is the story of married couple Peter and Debbie, who strike up a holiday friendship with eccentric, Trump-loving American, Elsa. After promising to keep in touch, they’re shocked when Elsa lets them know she’s coming to stay. One quick google later, Peter and Debbie uncover some hair-raising secrets about their impending house guest. Is it too late – and more importantly, too rude – to tell her to leave?
Expertly skewering middle-class England’s compulsion to appear nice at all costs, The Unfriend premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2022, earning 5-star reviews and huge praise from audiences.
The Unfriend in London reunites the Chichester cast, with Amanda Abbington (TV: Sherlock; Mr Selfridge, Stage: The Son) as Debbie, Reece Shearsmith (Psychoville; Inside No. 9; The League of Gentlemen) as Peter and Olivier Award nominee Frances Barber (TV: Silk; Doctor Who) as Elsa. Further casting includes Michael Simkins, Marcus Onilude, Gabriel Howell and Maddie Holliday.
The play is former Doctor Who and Sherlock showrunner Steven Moffat’s stage writing debut, directed by his longtime collaborator and co-creator of Sherlock, Mark Gatiss. Gatiss’ stage acting credits include The Madness of George III and Coriolanus, and he is a member of comedy group The League of Gentlemen.
The Unfriend features set design by Robert Jones, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Ella Wahlström, and video design by Andrzej Goulding.
Bringing together some of the UK’s best satire and comedy creatives for a truly gut-busting evening of entertainment, you won’t want to miss The Unfriend in London.
Child friendly?
The Unfriend is suitable for age 14+