The Unfriend

Organised by : Chichester Festival Theatre

Amanda Abbington, Frances Barber and Reece Shearsmith start in The Unfriend, a new play by award-winning writer Steven Moffat, which takes a hugely entertaining and satirical look at middle-class Englands disastrous instinct always to appear nice. Manners can be murder.

After twenty years of marriage, Peter and Debbie are enjoying a cruise as a break from their annoying teenagers. Peter cant resist exchanging views on Donald Trump with an American fellow passenger. Theres something slightly unsettling about the eagerly friendly Elsa Jean Krakowski but theres no point in rocking the boat when youre about to get off it.

Back home, an email arrives from Elsa, followed by Elsa herself. And when Debbie googles their house guest and turns up some hair-raising evidence, their good nature is challenged as never before. What kind of danger have they allowed to take up residence in their spare room? And can they bring themselves to say anything about it? Sometimes, the truth is just too impolite.

Steven Moffats hit television series include Doctor Who, Sherlock and Dracula the latter two co-written with the actor and writer Mark Gatiss, who directs.

Mark Gatiss is also a member of the sketch comedy team The League of Gentlemen alongside Reece Shearsmith, who plays Peter. Last seen at Chichester in The Dresser, Reeces recent work also includes Hangmen (Royal Court) and TVs Inside No 9.

Amanda Abbington, whose credits include TVs Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, and The Son in the West End, makes her Chichester debut as Debbie.

Frances Barber, last seen here in Uncle Vanya (1996) returns as Elsa; her extensive screen work includes The Mezzotint, Silk and Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool.