The Unfriend to return to West End starring Lee Mack

Steven Moffat’s new play The Unfriend is to return to the West End with Lee Mack.

Directed by Mark Gatiss, the show will open in previews at Wyndhams’ Theatre on 16 December and will run until 9 March 2024. Tickets are on sale now here.

New to the show, award-winning comedian and actor Lee Mack (Would I Lie To You, Not Going Out, Inside No. 9) will play the role of Peter, whilst Sarah Alexander (Jonathan Creek, Green Wing, Smack The Pony and Coupling) will play Peter’s wife Debbie and Nick Sampson (Witness for the Prosecution, Anthony and Cleopatra) will play The Neighbour. Frances Barber (Silk and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool) returns to play the role of everyone’s favourite serial killer Elsa Jean Krakowski.

Lee Mack said: “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.”

Book The Unfriend tickets here »

The piece premiered at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2022 before first transferring to the West End at the Criterion Theatre earlier this year.

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. They agree to stay in touch – because no one ever really does, do they?

When Elsa invites herself to stay a few months later, they decide to look her up online. Too late, they learn the truth about Elsa Jean Krakowski. Deadly danger has just boarded a flight to London! What began as a casual holiday friendship is now a threat to the lives of their children.

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.

The Unfriend is designed by Robert Jones, with lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Ella Wahlström, video design by Andrzej Goulding and casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG.

Mark Gatiss said: “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.”

Steven Moffat added: “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.”

For tickets and more information, visit theunfriend.com