Review: The Unfriend

Sophie Winch reviews the latest show at Incognito Theatre

A man and a woman on stage sitting on a beige sofa — Cast members rehearsing for The Unfriend (Credit – Incognito Theatre)

One of Friern Barnet’s hidden gems is Incognito Theatre, a volunteer-led amateur theatre group staging a riveting and brilliantly funny production of Stephen Moffat’s satire The Unfriend this week.

The British public’s fervent death-grip on etiquette is often mocked by other countries, but rarely is it actually fatal. Stephen Moffat’s satire The Unfriend pushes our desperation to not step on anyone’s toes to its sinister and absurdist limit. It is simultaneously a parody of brash boundary-blind Americanism and something more self-deprecating: a grave warning to anyone who winces in recognition at Very British Problems’ social media posts.

“We lack the necessary social skills to avoid death!” moans Peter, our unnervingly relatable protagonist, played with compelling awkwardness and polite neuroticism by Alan Crossan. He finds himself in the most English of farces, confronted with a terrifying houseguest and trying to find a way to ask her to leave.

Peter and his wife have met Trump-loving Denver resident Elsa Jane Krakowski on a cruise. Because of their pathological inability to say no, they have accidentally invited her to stay in their home with their children, the surly teenaged Alex (Ethan Gold Wahlhaus) and put-upon Rosie (Jaya Kaur). Catherine Jansen-Ridings as a fuschia-clad Elsa is a particular highlight, larger than life perhaps because she’s taken other people’s. Her charm is so strong that, despite being obviously psychopathic, you find yourself rooting for her a little.

Excellent too is the slightly more sensible Debbie, Peter’s long-suffering but, unfortunately, also British wife (Alice Gill-Carey), whose monologues when pushed to breaking point are particularly captivating. Of the supporting cast, Steve Chapman stands out as a delightfully well-observed neighbour, who, enviably immune to this endemic fear of confrontation, uses his superpower to remind Peter about his responsibilities regarding their shared fence.

Moffat’s writing – especially satirically slick here – is given enough space and breathing room to shine by a very capable group of actors, although some of his extended bits can seem a little over-long and played on one note. This is made up for, though, by the comedic ability of the main cast, who land every joke with aplomb.

The set, by Incognito Theatre’s regular set designer John Savage, is an astonishing feat. It is versatile, fabulously intricate (down to a working fridge), and makes very intelligent use of the small television screens flanking the stage, on which are displayed (among other things) an impressively spoofed true-crime documentary, a videocall, and a newspaper clipping.

Incognito Theatre have done Moffat’s excellent satire justice; brilliantly funny actors and a masterful set combine to effervescent effect. A must-see for fans of dark comedy (especially Inside No. 9), or debilitatingly polite people in need of a wake-up call.

‘The Unfriend’ is playing at Incognito Theatre until 3rd October. Tickets can be found here: https://www.ticketsource.com/incognito/the-unfriend/e-ljlbrr

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