Review: Matthew Perry's The End of Longing at the Playhouse Theatre

The End of Longing
Playhouse Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 9th February 2016
★★★

To have your debut play premiere in the West End is quite something, but to also star in it is something else! Since the nineties generations have been growing up with U.S. sitcom Friends; I remember watching episode after episode 'back in the day' on E4. Twelve years since the show aired its last series, Matthew Perry (known to many as Chandler) has written a play which certainly captures the essence of the iconic sitcom.

Theatrical guide to February 2016

Keep an eye on...

Carrie Hope Fletcher

This month marks the end of an era as Carrie Hope Fletcher plays her final performance as Eponine in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre on Saturday 13th February, a role she has been playing since June 2013. However, the star has teased that she has "something exceedingly exciting to move on to" so watch this space for updates! It has been remarkable to see Hope Fletcher grow over the past few years, I caught Les Miserables recently and was blown away by her sincere, heartfelt portrayal of Eponine. An exciting theatrical career looks set to lie ahead for Hope Fletcher, we can't wait to find out what she's up to next!

Matthew Perry

A big month lies ahead for Friends legend Matthew Perry; not only is he returning to the West End, but he is starring in his debut play The End of Longing! Described as a "fast paced and bittersweet comic new play", The End of Longing is helmed by Lindsay Posner who previously directed Perry in the West End production of Sexual Perversity In Chicago. Also starring Christina Cole, Jennifer Mudge and Lloyd Owen, The End of Longing begins performances at the Playhouse Theatre on 2nd February.

Shows that should be on your radar...

Rehearsal Pics: Matthew Perry's The End of Longing

Rehearsal images have been released for The End of Longing which is written by and stars Friends legend Matthew Perry. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Appearing alongside Perry are Christina Cole, Jennifer Mudge and Lloyd Owen. Lindsay Posner directs with lighting by Lucy Carter and compositions and sound by Isobel Waller-Bridge. Marking Perry's playwriting debut, The End of Longing opens at the West End's Playhouse Theatre on 11th February (previews from 2nd February) and runs until 14th May 2016. 

Meet Jack, Stephanie, Joseph and Stevie: four lost souls, entering their forties and searching for meaning. After sharing one raucous night together in a downtown Los Angeles bar, their lives become irreversibly entwined in a rollercoaster journey that forces them to confront the darker sides of their relationships.

Full casting announced for The End of Longing starring Matthew Perry

Full casting has been announced for The End of Longing which is written by and stars Friends legend Matthew Perry.

Completing the company are Christina Cole (The Magistrate/The Lightening Play), Jennifer Mudge (Into The Woods/Dutchman) and Lloyd Owen (Good People/The Bodyguard).

Lindsay Posner directs with lighting by Lucy Carter and composition and sound by Isobel Waller-Bridge. 

Marking Perry's playwriting debut, The End of Longing opens at the West End's Playhouse Theatre on 11th February (previews from 2nd February) and runs until 14th May 2016. 

Lindsay Posner to direct Friends star Matthew Perry in 'The End of Longing'

Friends icon Matthew Perry will star in his debut play The End of Longing in the West End next year.

The production will open at the Playhouse Theatre on 11th February (previews from 2nd February) and run until 14th May 2016. 

Described as a " fast paced, and bittersweet comic new play", The End of Longing will be directed by Lindsay Posner, reuniting the pair following their collaboration on the West End production of Sexual Perversity In Chicago.

Perry said "Being on stage makes you feel naked. Being on stage in a play that I have written will make me feel doubly naked. So if you'd like to see me doubly naked, tickets go on sale today."