A read through of the script will be held on Wednesday 14th October - 7:15pm - The Whyte House, 89 North Poulner Road
Auditions will be held on Wednesday 11th November - from 7:15pm - The Whyte House, 89 North Poulner Road
The Unfriend is a dark comedy play written by British screenwriter Steven Moffat, first performed in 2022, that satirizes the British middle class's obsession with politeness and social niceties even in the face of potential danger.
The story centres on Peter and Debbie, a suburban couple who befriend the vivacious but mysterious Elsa during a cruise holiday and impulsively invite her to stay at their home, only to later suspect she may be a serial killer based on her online history and eccentric behaviour. Their growing paranoia clashes with their ingrained reluctance to confront her rudely, leading to a farce filled with awkward confrontations, family tensions, and humorous escalations involving their teenage children.
This is apparently based on a true experience that happened to friends of Steven Moffat.
Late 50’s upwards
A brash, voluble, and opinionated American widow from Denver, (Trump lover) whose charismatic yet pushy nature challenges the couple's restrained politeness with her devil-may-care attitude and unfiltered engagement.
Elsa
Late 40’s - early 50’s
Husband, an uptight, anxious, and misanthropic middle-class everyman who represents the archetype of British reserve, often struggling to maintain composure under social pressure while yearning for order in his routine life.
Peter
Mid - late 40’s
Wife, the hospitable and optimistic counterpart, characterized by her sensible, rational demeanour and commitment to family harmony, which propels her to extend invitations despite underlying caution. Her traits highlight a contrasting response to social obligations, where she enforces household rules while navigating the tensions of unwanted familiarity. (Debbie has an impassioned speech lasting about a page and a half - so must be confident delivering it)
Debbie
16 - 18 yrs old
Apathetic teenage boy, sits in bedroom all day long playing video games - no relationship with his parents - usual ‘teenage’ grunting until Elsa arrives.
Alex
15 - 17 yrs old
Younger sister - full of ‘poor little me’ syndrome - doesn’t take anyone else’s feelings into consideration - thinks that nobody understands her ‘suffering’
Rosie
50+ yrs old
We never get to know his/her name - Boring to the extreme - passive aggressive, wheedling and ingratiating - constantly turning up unwelcomed in the house to discuss a problem with the fencing which Peter ignores on multiple occasions.
Neighbour
25+ yrs old
Preferably a male role due to lots of discussions about bowel movements - could really be any age from 25 - 65yrs old - i.e. rookie copper, a bit gullible or well-seasoned ‘Mr Plod’ type.