1,863 posts
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Post by NeilVHughes on Jun 2, 2022 10:31:49 GMT
Definitely one of the best new comedies for a while but could do with some fettling if it does transfer.
The core premise is great and the machinations of their guest sets up a strong foundation but the children are so wooden they could at the beginning be mistaken for the scenery, not having children myself and never encountered a teenager in a domestic environment the stereotype seemed stretched to breaking point and made for easy laughs.
As above one scene is worth the entry price alone but would advise seeing blind as the twist is best encountered live and prior knowledge may diminish the comedic impact.
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Post by talkingheads on Jun 4, 2022 17:44:18 GMT
This is the most fun I've had at the theatre for years. The core cast are wonderful and I properly belly laughed all the way through.
I bought the script because there were so many lines I want to go back to, and yes the scene everybody else is talking about absolutely brought the house down, and rightly so, Shearsmith's timing is exquisite.
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7,193 posts
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Post by Jon on Jun 4, 2022 17:51:33 GMT
This is the most fun I've had at the theatre for years. The core cast are wonderful and I properly belly laughed all the way through. I bought the script because there were so many lines I want to go back to, and yes the scene everybody else is talking about absolutely brought the house down, and rightly so, Shearsmith's timing is exquisite. Shearsmith's always been great in shows, he was great in Betty Blue Eyes and in A Very Expensive Poison. What is Amanda Abbington like? I've seen loads of her TV work but never on stage. |
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Post by talkingheads on Jun 4, 2022 19:03:46 GMT
This is the most fun I've had at the theatre for years. The core cast are wonderful and I properly belly laughed all the way through. I bought the script because there were so many lines I want to go back to, and yes the scene everybody else is talking about absolutely brought the house down, and rightly so, Shearsmith's timing is exquisite. Shearsmith's always been great in shows, he was great in Betty Blue Eyes and in A Very Expensive Poison. What is Amanda Abbington like? I've seen loads of her TV work but never on stage. Abbington is fantastic. I've been a fan of her's since that Nicholas Lyndhurst sitcom After You've Gone. Admittedly her role in The Unfriend is slightly more reactive than proactive, but she still gets a lot of the laughs. |
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7,193 posts
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Post by Jon on Jun 10, 2022 12:26:16 GMT
Given the Chichester run is pretty much sold out, a transfer announcement must be imminent? I assume it'll be announced in the final 2-3 weeks or shortly after it closes.
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3,585 posts
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Post by Rory on Jun 10, 2022 15:41:26 GMT
Given the Chichester run is pretty much sold out, a transfer announcement must be imminent? I assume it'll be announced in the final 2-3 weeks or shortly after it closes. I'm eagerly awaiting London news too, and am holding off booking my next trip until dates for a transfer materialise (as I feel sure they will). Let's hope we're not disappointed! |
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1,062 posts
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Post by David J on Jun 19, 2022 12:02:47 GMT
Saw this yesterday
It’s feels like a sitcom Moffat offered to the bbc but was rejected
The second act is better with plenty of moments with the policeman and the neighbour. But in the first act things are dragged out during the second half. Once it’s established that the parents want to get rid of the American lady but she’s very manipulative and the kids love her, it has nowhere else to go for 10 minutes
Good performances from the leads and I enjoyed the neighbour moments but the kids are two dimensional stereotypes
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725 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Jun 25, 2022 23:27:02 GMT
I saw this tonight. I belly laughed through most of it. Barber was just superb as the annoying “friend” , Abbington gave a solid, enjoyable performance and Sheersmith was brilliant with his awkwardness and en point comic timing. I agree with a previous poster that this seems very much like a sitcom, but it worked really well on stage and there was so much laughter in one room, I don’t think I’ve heard so many people laugh in unison for a very long time. This deserves a transfer
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2,762 posts
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Post by n1david on Jun 27, 2022 22:23:57 GMT
Disappointed by this tonight. Not many belly laughs from me and not from around the audience (Monday night?). Some leavers at the interval. Thought it was all well-acted in the context of what was asked of the performers but it was all very one-note. Very broad but no depth. The show's pedigree would sell tickets in London but I don't think it will stand up to review. Maybe enough fans of the creative team to sell it. Some specific thoughts When I say one-note, for example I'd have liked to see some darkness in Frances Barber's character, to give some sense about whether she was a murderer rather than just the Internet reports.. Everyone played things essentially the same way through, with the exception of the kids who go through this amazing transformation within 6 days (or, for us, in a 20 minute interval). There's no demonstration or explanation of the amazing skills of FB's character, we are asked to take on trust and I couldn't buy it. I could see this worked up into a 6x30 sitcom, but as a play where I was keen to laugh but also see real people on stage, I was severely disappointed. |
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382 posts
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Post by stevemar on Jul 16, 2022 12:25:33 GMT
Although the current run has ended, I enjoyed this a lot. Yes, it’s a sitcom with only one “situation” but played with aplomb particularly by Reece Shearsmith at his awkward best. Frances Barber was excellent, but I would have appreciated more of her in the short second act. I felt that Amanda Abbington could have had more to do. I do think it could have been improved with a further subplot (others than the toilet joke which I found cringeworthy but hilarious) or neighbour. The audience including me loved it, and great to see close up at the Minerva. A genuinely funny new play.
4 stars.
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5,912 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 16, 2022 12:29:14 GMT
Transfer signed…
January 2023….
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Post by catw on Jul 16, 2022 13:05:42 GMT
Transfer signed… January 2023…. Where? |
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7,193 posts
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Post by Jon on Jul 16, 2022 15:24:34 GMT
There are a few options for The Unfriend like The Pinter, the Duke of York’s, The Phoenix, Wyndham’s and also the new Nimax theatre although I think the final option won’t be available as I think it’ll opening sometime in November as the hoardings that are surrounding the building can only stay up until then.
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5,912 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 16, 2022 15:48:38 GMT
It’s none of those theatres
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5,160 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 16, 2022 15:50:45 GMT
TRH after OFAH?
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Post by nottobe on Jul 16, 2022 16:07:20 GMT
Ambassadors theatre is my guess.
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3,585 posts
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Post by Rory on Jul 16, 2022 16:34:01 GMT
It’s none of those theatres Lyric Shaftesbury Ave? Or The Old Vic having a rare transfer in? |
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7,193 posts
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Post by Jon on Jul 16, 2022 22:41:00 GMT
It’s probably the Noel Coward followed by Patriots. The Noel Coward has Best of Enemies from November and I would imagine it's going to be running until late February. Other possible theatre is the Criterion. |
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3,585 posts
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Post by Rory on Jul 17, 2022 7:56:18 GMT
So we've now mooted every theatre in London lol!
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3,585 posts
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Post by Rory on Sept 19, 2022 16:34:10 GMT
There is an interview with Steven Moffat in today's Guardian in which it is confirmed that this is transferring to the West End.
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2,496 posts
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Post by zahidf on Sept 19, 2022 17:06:30 GMT
I heard it was due to be announced last week but was delayed because of the queen stuff. Hopefully announced this week!
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5,912 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 19, 2022 23:08:15 GMT
Opening at the Criterion
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3,585 posts
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Post by Rory on Sept 20, 2022 15:05:28 GMT
From 15th January for 12 weeks. |
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Post by talkingheads on Sept 21, 2022 10:27:03 GMT
Brilliant! Will book to see it again ASAP. Nice to see the prices aren't extortionate, £51 for front row. theunfriend.com/ |
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Post by partytentdown on Sept 21, 2022 11:00:59 GMT
Brilliant! Will book to see it again ASAP. Nice to see the prices aren't extortionate, £51 for front row. theunfriend.com/Is that all performances? Wondering whether to book this now or whether there might be cheaper tickets in the new year. |
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