The Unfriend

THE UNFRIEND
Penned by Steven Moffat
Presented by C.A.D.O.S at Chorley Theatre, Dole Lane, Chorley
Directed by Ian Robinson

15th April 2026

This is Steven Moffat’s first stage play after an illustrious career as a TV producer and screen writer, mainly for the BBC. It is a modern light-hearted comedy of manners which centres around a typical nuclear family (Two adults, two teenage children) in suburbia. The parents are so repressed they cannot communicate properly with their own children and so ultra polite that they struggle to get an unwelcome guest out of their home. If only there was an ‘Unfriend’ button, you could press in real life bemoans Peter permanently crippled with tortured embarrassment.

The play was first performed at the Minerva Theatre Chichester on 21st May 2022 with Reece Shearsmith, Amanda Abbington and Francis Barber in the lead roles. It was Directed by Mark Gatiss with whom Moffat has worked on numerous occasions. It then transferred to the Criterion Theatre London in January 2023 and then to Wyndham’s Theatre in December 2023 where Lee Mack and Sarah Alexander assumed leading roles.

Steven Catterall played ‘Peter Lindel’
A calm balanced stand out performance perfectly representing societal norms and reality. Steven managed to act like he was hearing the dialogue and witnessing such farcical situations for the first time; resisting the temptation to over act. The subtle, restrained performance gave the character depth making all going on round him funnier.

Donna Keller played ‘Else Jean Krakowski’
Donna captured the audience from her first entrance with such focus, high energy and stage presence. The larger-than-life character, movements gestures and voice perfectly maintained throughout. You could not help but love her character, even when aware of her alleged criminal record. A standout performance.

Cas Jellicoe played ‘Debbie Lindell’
Cas gave a realistic performance of a well brought up suburban housewife politely navigating the chaos. The perfect contrast to their brash American guest. Good chemistry and an easy manner between Peter made the couple highly relatable making the farcical situations they find themselves in all the funnier. The grounding nature of the relationship acting as the straight man to the absurdity.

Colin Leigh – ‘The Neighbour’
Totally convincing as the nosy, boring small-minded neighbour.

Samantha Barker played ‘Rosie Lindel’ ... Jack Higham played ‘Alex Lindel’.
I think it is a line Debbie Lindel says ‘Both of our children hate us but not as much as they hate each other’. Both credible performances Rosie as the astute teenager with parental communication problems and Jack as the winey, moody adolescent spending too much time in his room gaming.

Ben Percival played ‘P.C. Junkin’
A masterclass in how to give a completely farcical character depth. Managing to balance physical gestures without descending into obvious over acting. Thoughtful control behind the absurdity. A standout performance.

Special Mention must be given to the Designers and builders of the set for this play. Changing from Boat Deck to the interior of a suburban house was seamless. The house interior, lounge, kitchen and downstairs toilet natural and realistic; every prop appeared to belong. The high, two stage staircase particularly impressive. The audience saw a very funny play that fused together not by accident but by The

Director:  Ian Robinson’s artistic vision imagination and technical skill. Had the author been in the audience I’m confident he would have applauded as enthusiastically as the rest of the full house audience.

Stage Manager:  Shaun McManus
Set Builders:  Shaun McManus, Stephen Clipston, Leighton Mower, Owen Hall, Alex Bond, Maureen Strand, Lewis Lund, Gillian Brotherton and Ian Bromley
Technical: Paul Carr
Wardrobe: Kath Townsend, Dawn Hull, Lynne Westhead
Props:  Judi Brewster
Sound: Jey Lea
Video: Darren Dutton

A lovely night of Theatre.

Thank you for inviting me.

David Davies
Assistant Area Rep
NODA NW District 6.

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