The Unfriend

The Unfriend is one of those scripts that lives and dies by its pace, precision, and the audience’s willingness to lean into the absurd. Thankfully, this production understood that completely. The writing itself is famously sharp, with critics noting its “pitch-perfect comic timing and escalating absurdity,” and Wargrave Theatre honoured that with a performance that was consistently funny, tightly paced, and genuinely engaging throughout.

What struck me most was the confidence of the direction leading to a show which never sagged. It is not an easy play to land. It demands clarity of character, rhythm, and a willingness to let the comedy breathe without ever losing momentum. Not once did it feel like it lost its grip on the audience, which is no small achievement for a dialogue-heavy comedy. The strength of this production lay firmly in its ensemble, with each actor contributing to a cohesive and believable world.

The set design deserves real praise. It wasn’t just good, it was exceptional. Every detail had been thought through, right down to real fruit on the table and actual liquid in glasses. Doors felt like doors, not flats pretending to be something else, and those glimpses into rooms beyond added a layer of realism that pulled you right into the world. At times, I genuinely felt like I was sitting in the family’s living room rather than watching a play, and that’s a rare compliment.

Overall, this was a confident, polished, and thoroughly entertaining piece of theatre, delivered with care, attention to detail, excellent characterful performances and a clear understanding of what makes this script tick.

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