The Unfriend

Tudor Players continue to demonstrate exceptional performance standards, and this production upholds their reputation. The experienced cast of seven sustained an engaging tempo and delivered clear diction throughout. Each actor contributed a well-defined portrayal of various emotions from anger to  humour, all  enhanced by effective direction and supported by high-quality set design, sound, lighting and excellent outfits - under the guidance of accomplished director Phil Gascoyne. 

Going on holiday is often the highlight of the year - a time to relax and forget your worries. You usually meet new people and get along well, followed by an exchange of contact details with promises to keep in touch, though this rarely happens. However, Peter and Debbie Lindel's trip was different: they met Elsa Jean Krakowski, a confident and talkative woman from Denver, USA, who later invites herself to visit their UK home.

Peter and Debbie juggle full-time jobs, challenging teenagers, and the stress of an unwelcome visitor. Their concern increases, as they suspect the woman may have been involved in multiple homicides, including the deaths of two husbands. The audience was provided with additional context through back-projection, which featured Krakowski on the US Wanted program.

Arriving unannounced, Elsa Jean Krakowski, a very confident woman with a big smile, begins to take control of the Lindel family, mainly affecting their teenage children Alex and Rosie. Peter and Debbie lose more control as the stress builds, especially with a neighbour, whose name they can't recall, who is focused on fixing their shared garden fence. The neighbour makes himself at home and sits quietly waiting for some kind of answer. As the play progresses there is yet more mayhem, especially with the arrival of a policeman, PC Junkin. What is he looking for, the possibility that Elsa Jean may have killed another person? If so, who is it and where has she put the body?

All the members of the cast were perfect in their roles and understood their characters, mannerisms, and emotions. Acting quality was superb from everyone, Ross Bannister and Fran Rooker convincingly played Peter and Debbie Lindel, showing strong chemistry and dynamic dialogue. Joanne Ringrose excelled as Elsa Jean Krakowski with an authentic Denver accent and precise characterisation. Sean Fagan and Rhiannon Smith-Jones effectively captured the attitudes of teens Alex and Rosie Lindel. The un-named neighbour was played to perfection by John Fereday - it takes a lot of control to sit perfectly still for a long time. Justin Harrson portrayed an ultra-relaxed PC Junkin to a tee.

Elsa Jean Krakowski (she never could just say her first name) finally left the Lindels’ “little home” to be escorted by the lovely PC Junkin to the airport to go back to USA. A great sigh of relief, especially from Peter and Debbie, but why was The Neighbour still sitting in the kitchen – was he waiting for the fence to be fixed?

This impressive production was clearly the result of a talented cast, strong direction and dedicated crew. Thank you for a memorable evening, full of laughter well worth braving the rain to attend.

Thank you again for the invitation and the warm hospitality.

Sue Cox

NODA Drama Rep Region 14

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