Play Synopsis
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! But how do you protect all that you love from mortal peril without seeming, well, a bit impolite? Because guess who's coming... to murder!
Steven Moffat's play The Unfriend takes a hilarious and satirical look at middle-class England's disastrous instinct always to appear nice.Steven Moffat is an award-winning writer whose internationally successful television shows include Doctor Who, Sherlock and Dracula.
Open Reading and Auditions
There will be a reading of the play on Sunday 26th October at 7pm at Coventry Vision Hub, 33-35 Earlsdon Ave South, Coventry CV5 6TH. This reading is open to anyone interested in auditioning, finding out more about the play, or anyone who simply likes to read plays, or to hear a play read aloud. Information about the auditions will be given at this reading.
Auditions for the play will take place on Sunday 2nd November at 7pm at Coventry Vision Hub, 33-35 Earlsdon Ave South, Coventry CV5 6TH.
Attendance at the reading would be useful but anyone unable to attend the reading or auditions should email the director John Ruscoe at jruscoe@sky.com for alternative details.
Casting Requirements
Elsa: Female-presenting. Playing age 50s +. American accent required. Brash, opinionated, pragmatic. If she likes you, she loves you, if not ...!
Peter: Male presenting. Playing age 50s. British, with all the typically British hang-ups. Indecisive, lazy, panics easily. Leads with his mouth.
Debbie: Female presenting. Playing age 50s. Married to Peter. Tries to control the household, with mixed results.
Alex: Male presenting. Playing age mid-teens. Lazy. Uncommunicative. Rarely leaves his room. Farts a lot.
Rosie: Female presenting. Playing age mid-teens. Moody, Determined. Challenging.
The Neighbour: Male presenting. Playing age 60+. Smug. Self- righteous. Nosy. Determined.
PC Junkin: Male presenting. Playing age 40s+. Amiable. Gullible.
These are all great comic parts. The teenagers could easily be played by slightly older actors.
EDI Assessment
In line with our EDI policy, we undertake an EDI impact assessment of all our artistic programming. This play has no central diversity message. On the character notes, there are indications where specific playing gender identifications are called for and there are also recommendations of approximate playing ages. Otherwise there can be flexibility around casting with regard to ethnicity, age and disability.