The Way Old Friends Do is a play by Ian Hallard.[1] It is a comedy that tells the story of the world's first drag ABBA tribute band, formed by two old schoolfriends who meet again by chance.
| The Way Old Friends Do | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Ian Hallard |
| Date premiered | 17 February 2023 |
| Place premiered | The Studio, Birmingham Repertory Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
Plot edit
The play follows the ups and downs in the friendship of Peter and Edward, who were at school together in Birmingham in the 1980s. Edward came out to Peter as gay, and Peter as an ABBA fan. They find each other again after twenty years of estrangement and book a one-off gig at the local theatre as a drag ABBA tribute band. They decide to play Frida and Agnetha, and recruit wannabe actress Jodie and eccentric rehearsal pianist Mrs Campbell as Björn and Benny. Stage manager Sally is the final member of the team.
Avid Australian fan, Christian, convinces them to pursue the idea, and they embark on a life on the road. However Christian's romantic involvement with Edward leads to the breakdown of his friendship with Peter.
Production history edit
UK Tour (2023) edit
The play made its world premiere in The Studio at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 17 February 2023, before touring the UK. The production was directed by Mark Gatiss.[1]
West End (2023) edit
The play transferred to the Criterion Theatre in London's West End from 17 August until 9 September 2023.[2]
Cast and characters edit
| Character | UK Tour | West End |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
| Sally | Donna Berlin | |
| Edward | James Bradshaw | Anton Tweedale |
| Mrs Campbell | Sara Crowe | |
| Peter | Ian Hallard | |
| Christian | Andrew Horton | |
| Jodie | Rose Shalloo | |
| Voice of Nan | Miriam Margolyes | |
| Voice of Radio DJ | Paul O'Grady | |
Critical reception edit
The Guardian's Arifa Akbar and The Arts Desk's Aleks Sierz both gave the play 3 out of 5 stars,[1][3] while the Evening Standard's Nick Curtis gave the play 2 out of 5 stars.[4] WhatsOnStage.com's Diane Parkes gave the play 4 out of 5 stars,[5] and Libby Purves gave it 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as "ABBAsolutely a delight" and that "you're a curmudgeon if you don't warm to it."[6]
References edit
- ^ a b c Akbar, Arifa (19 March 2023). "The Way Old Friends Do review – super troupers shine in a fun, frothy comedy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "The Way Old Friends Do transfers to the West End's Criterion Theatre | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Sierz, Aleks (20 March 2023). "The Way Old Friends Do, Park Theatre review - sweet, but flimsy". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Curtis, Nick (21 August 2023). "The Way Old Friends Do at the Criterion Theatre review: one for the ABBA-solutists". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Parkes, Diane (24 February 2023). "'The Way Old Friends Do' at Birmingham Rep review – ABBA goes drag in a witty world premiere". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Purves, Libby (18 April 2023). "The Way Old Friends Do, Touring: ABBAsolutely a delight". Theatrecat.com. Retrieved 27 December 2023.