Talisman stages Steven Moffat’s raucous comedy ‘The Unfriend’

Peter (Mark Plastow) and Debbie (Esther Riggs) hide from Elsa (Julie-Ann Randell). Photographer: Robert Warner; post-production: Mark Plastow.

The Unfriend by Steven Moffat at the Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre, Kenilworth from 9 – 14 February 2026 at 7.30pm.

Preview

For its first show of 2026, the Talisman Theatre is delighted to announce the staging of The Unfriend, the new play by award-winning writer Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock).

After premiering in 2022 to immediate acclaim and now fresh from a recent West End run, this February will see this uproarious farcical comedy about the perils of holiday friendship come to the Talisman main stage.

The play is set within the comfortable lives of Peter and Debbie who, at the end of their holiday, agree to stay in touch with their newly-met American cruise-friend Elsa. However, when she abruptly invites herself to stay, they look her up online and discover the deadly truth surrounding this extravagant, glamorous battleaxe of a woman.

Chaos and utter hysteria ensue as the couple attempt to protect their family and everything they hold dear, taking a hilarious look at middle-class England’s perennial struggle to keep up appearances to avoid social embarrassment.

Artistic Director Steve Smith said: “We’re delighted to be staging The Unfriend for our first show of 2026. This hilarious and cringeworthy farce from the brilliant mind of Steven Moffat is the perfect way to open our 2026 season and will be sure to bring many laughs and moments of madness for our audiences.”

Top to bottom: Elsa (Julie-Ann Randell), Peter (Mark Plastow) and Debbie (Esther Riggs). Photographer - Robert Warner; post-production - Mark Plastow.

The cast is led by familiar Talisman performers Mark Plastow as Peter, Esther Riggs as Debbie and Julie-Ann Randell as Elsa, and also features Adam Turner, Alais McCluskey, Phil Reynolds and Mark Oram.

The production is directed by Vanessa Comer who commented: “It has been an absolute joy to work on this production, and I am just over the moon to be directing such a warm, committed and talented company. We hope you enjoy an evening of warmth, fun and big laughs to brighten the dark winter months — you won’t regret it!”

The production also gives a first-time assistant director’s credit to Connor Bailey who is taking the first step from performing locally to the director’s chair.

Book now at www.talismantheatre.co.uk or via the Box Office on 01926 856548.

Age recommendation: 12+ or at parental discretion. Contains occasional strong language.