Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ The Unfriend returns to West End

Playful Productions have today released rehearsal images ahead of the West End return of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ collaboration The Unfriend.

The cast is led by Lee Mack as Peter, Sarah Alexander as Peter’s wife, Debbie, Frances Barber as Elsa Jean Krakowski and Nick Sampson as The Neighbour. They are joined by Muzz Khan (as PC Junkin, Maddie Holliday as Rosie and Jem Matthews as Alex in his West End debut.  The production opens at the Wyndhams’ Theatre next week from 16 December.

Lee Mack:

“I’m delighted to be joining The Unfriend with the brilliant Sarah Alexander and the wonderful Frances Barber, and of course all the other amazing cast. It’s such a fantastically written play by Steven Moffat that I might even go the whole hog and learn the words.”

The Unfriend: Frances Barber / Image: Craig Sugden

While on holiday Peter and Debbie befriend Elsa: a lusty, Trump-loving widow from Denver, USA. She’s less than woke but kind of wonderful, so they agree to stay in touch – because no one ever really does, do they?

When Elsa invites herself to stay with the family a few months later, they decide to look her up online. But it’s too late: on learning the truth about Elsa Jean Krakowski, the deadly danger is already on a flight to London! What began as a casual holiday friendship is suddenly a threat to all their lives. Peter and Debbie now face the ultimate challenge of the modern world – how do you protect all that you love from mortal peril without seeming a bit impolite? Because guess who’s coming… to MURDER.

Director, Mark Gatiss;

“You can’t keep a good serial killer down! I’m absolutely delighted that Elsa Jean Krakowski has found a home at the beautiful Wyndham’s theatre and very much look forward to bringing Steven’s hilarious play back to the West End”.

The Unfriend: Sarah Alexander, Lee Mack and Director Mark Gatiss / Image: Craig Sugden

Steven Moffat is a six-time BAFTA award-winning writer, whose hit television series include Doctor Who, Sherlock and Dracula – the latter two co-written with the actor and writer Mark Gatiss, who directs this production. Mark Gatiss is a member of the sketch comedy team The League of Gentlemen. Gatiss’ recent directing credits include The Mezzotint and The Amazing Mr Blunden for Sky Max, in which he also starred. He also recently adapted A Christmas Carol at Nottingham Playhouse and Alexandra Palace. Most recently he won huge acclaim for his role as John Gielgud in The Motive and the Cue at the National Theatre. Mark will be seen as Larry Grayson in the three-part drama Nolly on ITV over Christmas starring alongside Helena Bonham Carter as Noele Gordon.

Writer, Steven Moffat:

“It’s a real thrill to welcome a couple of comedy legends on board The Unfriend, for our new run at the Wyndhams Theatre.  Lee Mack is one of the funniest men in the country and someone I’ve been wanting to work with for years. And Sarah Alexander is not just brilliant and hilarious, she’s an old friend from our days together on Coupling. Can’t wait to get started all over again.”

The Unfriend
Wyndham’s Theatre
Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA
www.theunfriend.com