BOOK TICKETS – LIVE AVAILABILITY

Show Type

Play / Comedy

Show Information

The Harold Pinter Theatre welcomes Alan Ayckbourne’s “Absent Friends” from Thursday 9th February until Saturday 14th April and we have a fantastic selection of Absent Friends tickets, including cheap tickets, ‘best seats’ and show and meal deals.

With previews from Thursday 26th January, the play is about the coming together of the married friends of Colin following the death of his fiancée. His friends organize a tea party to help cheer up Colin but feel awkward around him and not sure how to act in his presence. All his friends however all have their own relationships and secrets so what should be a more joyous gathering becomes an event of loathing and jealousy which they must hide when Colin arrives.

Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen) and Kara Tointon (Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing) star in this play along with Elizabeth Berrington, Katherine Parkinson, David Armand and Steffan Rhodri.

Book tickets for Absent Friends with Concierge Desk London.

About the Writer

Born in Hampstead, London in 1939, the prolific English playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn CBE has written some 73 plays, over 40 of which have been produced in the West End.  With 10 plays having been staged on Broadway, his play have won a number of prestigious awards including 2 Tony nominations, 1 Tony Award and 7 London Evening Standard Awards.

Some of his most notable plays include  Absurd Person Singular , Bedroom Farce, The Norman Conquests trilogy, Just Between Ourselves, Woman in Mind, A Chorus of Disapproval, A Small Family Business, House & Garden, Man Of The Moment and Private Fears in Public Places.

Age Suitability

This show is suitable for all ages

Theatre Information

Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London, SW1

Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus – Served by the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines. The theatre is only a 5 minute walk from the station

Performance Information

Evenings: Mon – Sat, 7.30pm
Matinees: Wed & Sat, 2.30pm

Cast Includes

Kara Tointon
Katherine Parkinson
Elizabeth Berrington
Steffan Rhodri
Reece Shearsmith
David Armand

Creative Team

Writer: Alan Ayckbourn
Director: Jeremy Herrin

After 8 successful years at the Prince of Wales theatre, Mamma Mia is to pack its bags and dance off to the Novello theatre next September. The producer of Mamma Mia, Judy Cramer, commented: “I am delighted that the original production of Mamma Mia! will move to the stage of the beautiful Novello theatre. It is a perfect space for the musical. The Novello is a gem of a theatre that perfectly suits the creative needs of Mamma Mia!, and provides a comfortable and friendly experience for audiences in the heart of Theatreland.”

Mamma Mia opened its doors in London in 1999. It has been seen by more than fifty million people and is only one of 5 musicals that have run in the West End and Broadway for more than 10 years. It is set on a Greek island and is the story of a young girl called sophie who is desperate to find her father as her wedding draws closer. Three possible men come forward and turn Sophies world upside down. Featuring many of ABBA’s hits, this toe tapping musical will have you dancing in your seats!



The Christmas Lights are on in London and its time to come and see London in all its splendor! Whilst you’re there, why not go and see a show to really get you in the party spirit! The top five family shows in our opinion and sales figures are: The Wizard of Oz, Matilda, Lion King, Ghost and Shrek. On a more adult note, the popular ones are Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, We Will Rock You, Wicked and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Why not try a matinee if you have young children! We can offer Meal Deals on most of the above shows which combine a show with a two course meal, so please take a look and pre book to avoid disappointment!



It’s the last chance to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert now before the end of its run on 31st December 2011. It is sure to sell out quickly!

It is a heart warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who step aboard a battered old bus to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback in search of friendship and love.

With an astounding array of outrageous glitzy costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, the Musical will now have its final West End performance on 31 December 2011.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is one of the most successful Australian movies of all time. The potential for Priscilla to be adapted as a stage musical may now seem obvious – the costumes, the music, the ‘numbers’ were all there – but it took a UK screenwriter and producer, Allan Scott, to set the wheels in motion. He realised it contained many of the elements of any big successful musical: Big characters, a heart-warming central story, great comedy, conflict, costumes and sets and, of course, the possibility of great music.