Matthew Perry shows the strain as he steps out in London looking tired and disheveled during hectic play schedule

By MailOnline Reporter

Published: 04:27 EST, 16 March 2016 | Updated: 12:50 EST, 16 March 2016

His debut plays The End of Longing has been savaged by critics.

And Matthew Perry, 46, showed the strain as he stepped out in London on Tuesday after a visit to Steve Wright's Radio 2 show.

The former Friends star looked tired and a little disheveled as he headed back to the Playhouse theatre for that evening's performance.

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Feeling tired? Matthew Perry, 46, showed the strain as he stepped out in London on Tuesday after a visit to Steve Wright's Radio 2 show

Feeling tired? Matthew Perry, 46, showed the strain as he stepped out in London on Tuesday after a visit to Steve Wright's Radio 2 show

The actor was unshaven as he headed out of the studio, while his greying locks were slicked back off his face.

As his hectic schedule in London appears to take its toll, Matthew appeared exhausted.

During his chat on Radio 2, the US star spoke out on his play, which has received a string of less than positive reviews since opening last month.

Next stop:The former Friends star looked tired and a little disheveled as he headed back to the Playhouse theatre for that evening's performance of his play The End Of Longing

Next stop:The former Friends star looked tired and a little disheveled as he headed back to the Playhouse theatre for that evening's performance of his play The End Of Longing

Matthew, who both writes and stars in the play, admitted he's constantly altering the script.

'You're wearing two hats,' he said of his behind the scenes and on stage roles. 'The good news is we keep changing it, if jokes don't work we keep changing it around because I'm the playwright so I'm allowed to do that.'

'I wrote this in about ten days and I've been rewriting it for about a year,' he added.

Dishevelled: The actor was unshaven as he headed out of the studio, while his greying locks were slicked back off his face

Dishevelled: The actor was unshaven as he headed out of the studio, while his greying locks were slicked back off his face

He also admitted he didn't plan on taking the lead role at first, explaining: 'I did not know I was going to star in it, I wrote a ton of roles sort of in my voice but there was a lot of talk about other people playing the part. But I ended up playing it.  

Matthew's play, about the lives of four troubled souls hoping to find love and contentment, was badly received by a majority of critics though during its press night last month.

The Telegraph's Dominic Cavendish was particularly scathing, giving the production two out of five stars: 'There’s little disguising the fact that it is essentially a dud...

Exhausted: During his chat on Radio 2, the US star spoke out on his play, which has received a string of less than positive reviews since opening last month

Exhausted: During his chat on Radio 2, the US star spoke out on his play, which has received a string of less than positive reviews since opening last month

'It all feels like a curious waste of time, money and effort - and I’m sure I won’t be the only one watching this rickety star vehicle who’s left longing for the end.' 

Some critics noted how Perry, who drew on his past addictions to play an alcoholic called Jack, gave his character the best lines in the show.

Also giving two stars was The Independent's Holly Williams: 'It is a woeful attempt at a dark-but-redemptive romcom, drawing on Perry’s own experiences of addiction...

Making changes: Matthew, who both writes and stars in the play, admitted he's constantly altering the script

Making changes: Matthew, who both writes and stars in the play, admitted he's constantly altering the script

'Perry’s gendered clichés are as stale as a drunk’s morning breath.'

However, she did praise the 'honesty' in his performance: 'When Jack turns bitter and pitiful, full of fearful self-loathing as he contemplates life without booze, there’s a real charge to Perry’s performance. That sounds salacious, like getting off on troubled celebrity, but it’s a credit to his honesty.'

The End of Longing runs at London's Playhouse Theatre until May 14.

Negative reaction: Matthew's play, about the lives of four troubled souls hoping to find love and contentment, was badly received by a majority of critics though during its press night last month

Negative reaction: Matthew's play, about the lives of four troubled souls hoping to find love and contentment, was badly received by a majority of critics though during its press night last month

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