Absent Friends Tickets

In 2012 Alan Ayckbourne’s play “Absent Friends” lands on the stage of the Harold Pinter Theatre and as a result audiences will see some familiar faces on the stage. Those with theatre tickets witnessing the work of director Jeremy Herrin will see Reece Shearsmith from “The League of Gentlemen” in the production whilst “EastEnders” star Kara Tointon has also joined the cast. Meanwhile, the rest of the actors appearing in the production include David Armand, Elizabeth Berrington, Katherine Parkinson and Steffan Rhodri.

The production will be the latest staging of a play that first appeared in the 1970s during a period in which many of Ayckbourne’s most famous plays emerged. He is, of course, one of the most celebrated playwrights in the United Kingdom and has been behind a wealth of well known pieces of work. In addition to “Absent Friends” these include “The Norman Conquests”, “Absurd Person Singular”, “Woman in Mind”, “Bedroom Farce” and, more recently, “Private Fears in Public Places”. His work has received widespread praise and this is why they are regularly turned into West End shows and why he has been the recipient of awards and nominations.

In “Absent Friends” the focus is on the aftermath of the death of Colin’s fiancée, in particular the way in which his friends deal with the topic. They decide to all meet up so that they can cheer him up, but they are uncertain how to deal with the topic of his fiancée death, whilst interpersonal relationships and secrets are bubbling under the surface. This eventually erupts into feels of jealousy and loathing and when Colin arrives they realise they are going to have to try to hide these feelings.

Reece Shearsmith, playing Colin, is best known for the television series, radio series, stage shows and movie he completed with “The League of Gentlemen” though he has also appeared in “Psychoville” and other shows like “Spaced”. For West End audiences he will be recognisable from shows like “Ghost Stories” at the Duke of York’s Theatre and “Betty Blue Eyes” at the Novello Theatre.

“Death and the Maiden” is at the Harold Pinter Theatre until the end of December, with “Absent Friends” following from Thursday 9th February 2012 (previews from Thursday 26th January 2012) to Saturday 14th April 2012.