Play

The Unfriend

Booking Info

Following its acclaimed sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, prepare to welcome The Unfriend to the West End for a strictly limited run at the Criterion Theatre.

This riotous dark comedy from writer Steven Moffat and director Mark Gatiss, the award-winning team behind BBC’s Sherlock, stars an uproarious cast including Reece Shearsmith (Inside No. 9), Amanda Abbington (Sherlock) and Frances Barber (Silk).

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! What began as a casual holiday friendship is now a threat to the lives of their children. Peter and Debbie now face the ultimate challenge of the modern world - how do you protect all that you love from mortal peril without seeming a bit impolite?
Because guess who’s coming... to MURDER.

Dates
15 January - 16 April 2023
Venue
Criterion Theatre
Running Time
1 hour 55 minutes including an interval
Tickets From
£20
Age Recommendations
14+
Warnings
TBC

For further access information and to book tickets at the access rate please visit the venue website

Audio Described Performance
Saturday 1 Apr 14:30

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VENUE INFORMATION

Criterion Theatre

Criterion Theatre, 218-223 Piccadilly St. James's London W1J 9HR

The Criterion is an independent theatre located on Picadilly Circus in London’s West End. The Criterion is on Piccadilly Circus south-east side, by The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (Eros). The theatre entrance faces the statue. Piccadilly Circus tube station, exit 4, brings you to the front of the theatre.

View on Google Maps

Underground and Train

Piccadilly Circus (1 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Bakerloo Line Leicester Square (Approx 10 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Northern Line Green Park (Approx 10 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Victoria Line. This station has step free access to street level.

Pan your journey with TFL

Bus

Regent Street / St James - Outside Tesco 12, 88, 94, 453, N3, N15. Regent Street / St James - Outside Tesco 6, 9, 139, 159, N9, N18, N97, N109, N136. Haymarket / Jermyn Street R - Outside TigerTiger 6, 9, 139, N9, N15, N13.

Full Venue Transport info

Frequently Asked Questions

The cloakroom is currently closed due to security and Covid-19 secure considerations.  Consequently they are unable to accommodate large bags or suitcases and advise patrons to bring with them only essential, handbag size, bags.  There are a number of left luggage facilities in the Piccadilly Circus area -  location, availability and pricing information can be found through an internet search for local companies.

There are bars situated on the Dress Circle and Stalls auditorium levels.  Drinks may be taken into the auditorium and staff can offer assistance purchasing beverages if customers are unable to access the bar areas.  You can also pre-order via the CrowdEngage pre-show text sent out on the day of your booking to pre-order for at seat service.

Please be aware that if you arrive late to the theatre you may be asked to wait for a suitable break before entering the auditorium, which may be the interval. You may be asked to sit in different seats to those which you originally booked until the interval in order to minimise disruption to those customers already inside the auditorium.

If you leave the auditorium during the performance to use the toilet, bar, or for any other reason you may have to wait until a suitable break in the performance before being able to re-enter. This may be the interval.

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