The Unfriend at Asolo Repertory Theatre - US Premiere!

🎭 Dinner & A Show – RSVP to each separately -
Join us for The Unfriend at the Asolo Rep Theatre

"One of the funniest plays to be seen on stage in a very long time... a killer comedy to die for."

### 🎶 About the Show

From the writer of television's Dr. Who, Sherlock, and Dracula comes a hilarious new plan about an unwanted house guest. After twenty years of marriage, Peter and Debbie are enjoying a cruise and a break from their annoying teenagers, when they meet a suspiciously friendly fellow passenger named Elsa. Faster than you can say 'Keep Calm and Carry On,' she's taken up residence in their suburban home. Asolo Rep stages the US premiere of this hugely entertaining and satirical look at the terrifying lengths we go to just to be nice.

### 🎟️ Show Details

🎥 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hpSKVzlj48
⏱️ Run Time: 2 hours, with 1 intermission
🚗 Parking: Free in the large lot out front
🎫Ticket Price: $33.30
🪑Seats: Orchestra, section D

### 💳 Payment:

Zelle: [sarasotawinefun@gmail.com](mailto:sarasotawinefun@gmail.com) (Last name: Malka)
Venmo: @Annie-Malka (Last 4 digits: 0345)

### RSVP & Refund Policy

🎭 Payment covers ticket to the show only.
📝 Please include the name and date of the event in the payment note.
💵 Pay for each event separately, not one lump sum, to help us track your reservations.
🔁 Change of plans? Please update your RSVP and leave a comment so we can help confirm someone on the waitlist.
✅ No refunds unless we fill your spot from the waitlist.
🚫 No-shows or late cancellations that we’re unable to fill from the waitlist will not be refunded.

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### 🍽️ Dinner Plans

We’ll post details for the pre-show dinner soon. RSVP separately for dinner if you would like to join us — show guests get first dibs!

A Note from Playwright Steven Moffat:

Following multiple successful runs in London’s West End, The Unfriend makes its US Premiere at Asolo Rep, introducing American audiences to Steven Moffat’s most popular and provocative stage works. Read below to learn about how The Unfriend came to be.

"Sitting on a patio in France with a spectacular view of a valley, I suddenly had the impulse to kill any other writer in the immediate vicinity. In fairness, this isn't unusual for me - but for once I had a specific reason.

Context: this was a few years ago, I was in a little town called Callas with my brother-in-law David and an old friend I shall call Peter (largely because it's his real name but shh!). This was one of our regular trips. David and his wife had a lovely house there which they rented out, and now and then David would pop over to do some maintenance. Peter and I would go with him to assist with any afternoon drinking. David would spend the morning mending things and Peter and I would spend the morning avoiding David in case he asked for help fixing a toilet. Then in the afternoon we'd drift into town, choose a patio and a view, and tell each other stories.

This time Peter owned the day. He told the best kind of story. Not a story of something that really happened - a story of something that nearly really happened. For what it's worth the first 30 minutes or so of this play are true. Of course, in boring old reality, Peter and Debbie managed to avert the social disaster you're about to see developing: hold tight because comedy will not be so merciful. Laughter is a cruel mistress.

Laughter, however, was the last thing on my mind when Peter told his story: like any writer on a sunny weekend away, I was filled with rage and fear.

'Why, I demanded 'haven't you told me this story before!'. It was, to be clear, the best idea for a comedy play I'd ever heard.

"Well, it only happened a couple of years ago," explained Peter.

A couple of years? The fear was really kicking in now. How many writers had heard Peter carelessly blurting out my new great idea for a play before I'd even stolen it? I glanced round the other tables. What about all these people listening? Could any of them be writers?! I examined them all for poor social skills and cheap shoes. My hand was now gripping tightly on to my fork in case I had to take decisive action.

"Peter, I said as calmly as any man could while contemplating the random slaughter of potential writers on a sunlit patio, 'can I have it?’

"Have what?’

"Your story. Can I have it?’

'What do you mean, have it?’

"Can I have that story and write it as a play, except change it a bit so that the thing that doesn't happen, does happen?’

Peter considered. An old lady at the next table was now staring vacantly at the view. Had she heard? Was she developing her own idea for a miniseries or a Netflix special? There was, I noticed, a vein in her neck in easy reach.

'Can I come to the opening night?' asked Peter.

"Yes, of course you can’.

"And maybe some other nights?

"Yes, why not?' (Take a look around - he might be sitting next to you.)

"Oh, and keep our names the same. Me and Debbie, don't change our names in the play!’

I thought about that. Given the nature of the story and the particular, erm, hobby of the person you met... do you think that's a tremendously good idea?’

"Maybe change our names a little bit?

“I’ll do that!

I can't remember how the rest of the conversation went and that's probably because I wasn't really listening. Comedy gold had just dropped into my lap.

Filming was about to start on a TV show I’d just written, I'd already signed to adapt a novel for HBO and there was a four-part thriller for the BBC I was keen to get on with - but suddenly all I wanted to do was get back to my laptop and start writing The Unfriend. Which is exactly what I did.

I had a great time writing it, and then some people were kind enough to like it, and after many long years in the business, my work was finally heading to the stage. I’d always wanted to write for the theatre, and while television has been good to me, that fire had never gone out. And now, at last, after many false starts, it was definitely going to happen.

At which point EVERY THEATRE IN THE WORLD CLOSED DOWN. Yeah, COVID. I took it very personally.

When those dreary, scary days were finally over (okay, more or less) The Unfriend made its debut at the Chichester Festival, then transferred for two runs in the West End. And the real Peter and Debbie went lots of times, and laughed along with everyone else, and usually introduced themselves.

Sometimes, of course, I’d worry that the real Elsa might turn up (I did change her name) but that seemed unlikely. How would she even hear of this mad little play, tucked away in the dear old UK.

I mean, we’d have to do something really stupid. Like, you know … put it on in America.

Enjoy the play. But maybe check who you’re sitting next to."

• Steven Moffat