The Little Theatre Leicester – until 4 October 2025
Reviewed by Leanne W
5*****
The Little Theatre is a small volunteer run theatre in the centre of Leicester. The performers and production team are amateur.
The Unfriend is written by Stephen Moffatt (Sherlock and Doctor Who) and has enjoyed a recent run in London following it’s opening at the Chichester Festival. This satirical dark comedy explores the most British or afflictions; the struggle to be polite, at all costs!
The story regards middle class couple Peter and Debbie (Jordan Handford and Emma Bamford) who, whilst holidaying on cruise befriend the brash, right-wing Elsa (Rachel Barker-Evans) from Denver, USA. As the holiday ends, they agree to remain in touch and swap details. We all have been there, we know there will be no further contact, and the couple had hoped the same – but not this time! A few months later, when Elsa invites herself to stay, they Google her and learn all too late the truth about this woman, who it turns out is a serial killer. This is where we get to the crux of the story, how do you protect yourselves from a house guest who is also a murderer, without being rude. It turns out that if the murderess is able to convince your hermit teenage soon to go outside and exercise and encourages your daughter from her surly teenage years, it’s fairly easy. Easier than having to ask her to leave.
The play opens on the deck of a cruise ship, and we see Peter and Elsa discussing their opposing views of Donald Trump. The scene ends with the exchanging of details the set cleverly opens to reveal the home that Peter and Debbie share with their children Alex and Rosie (Thom Jones and Amelie Wilson-Knight). This, considering the facilities in the small theatre is fantastic, and an absolute credit to set designer Tristan Knowles and Master Carpenter Dave Towers. This scene consisting of the kitchen, living room and stairs, remained efficiently for the rest of the play. Lighting and sound (Andy Crooks and Amanda Priestly) are used effectively throughout the performance to enhance this further by creating the subtle sounds of a home and the more creative of the scenes, in particular where we later learn what we see is not part of the ‘real’ story.
Jane Towers has expertly and deftly directed this performance with some outstanding casting. Of note the role of Neighbour gloriously played by David Lovell is a joy to watch, the realism with which he handles the role is testament to his ability. The character is dull and boring, but we thoroughly enjoy his every arrival and every passive aggressive line. Most of these are directed at Peter, who Jordan Handford has absolutely perfected. Every blank expression, fumbled word and astounded reaction is spot on, this is an actor who was born for this role. Every interaction between these two is fabulous and raucously funny. The scene with police officer (Allan Smith) in the toilet is so hilariously uncomfortable I wanted too to both continue and end. The younger actors are able to allow us a very real glimpse of true to life teenagers, complete with strops, grunts and incessant yelling for mum. Emma Bamford shared with us the exasperated wife and mother who is at a loss with how to handle the situation. All supported with Rachel Barker-Evans’ charming, kind and funny Elsa at the centre of the chaos.
In all, this is a glorious interpretation of a great play and absolutely not one which should be missed.