Music: Assaf Gleizner
Book and Lyrics: Bob and Tobly McSmith
Director: Michael Gyngel
Hit 90s sitcom Friends was undeniably a global phenomenon, captivating audiences around the world from 1994 to 2004 and beyond, thanks to TV repeats and popular streaming platforms. It’s both affectionately celebrated and uproariously caricatured in this hilarious, high-energy musical parody from Michael Gyngel. Condensing 236 episodes, and over 86 hours of television, into a two-hour performance is no easy feat but it’s one that the show accomplishes well as it crams a decade of pop culture references, famous quotes (such as “PIVOT!”, “We Were On a Break”, “How You Doin’” and many more!) and fan-favourite moments into a smooth laugh-out-loud theatrical experience that’s essential viewing for any fan of the show.
Unfortunately, the opening night at Wolverhampton Grand went up around twenty minutes late, and while no official reason was given, there were some noticeable microphone volume issues, particularly in the first act, that may have contributed to the delay. Despite this, the audience remained in great spirits, joining in with the warm-up and clapping along to various songs. However, in such a quick-witted comedy, some punchlines were lost amid the sound challenges, leading to a few moments where laughter didn’t quite land as intended.
The show kicks off with great energy as warm-up presenter “Kip” (a crafty nod for the die-hard Friends fans in the room), played by Edward Leigh, leads the audience through a lively vocal warm-up, encouraging audience participation from the start, and the Wolverhampton crowd is fully on board. Andrew Exeter’s set, designed to resemble a TV studio, thus framing the show as a live-taping, is a smart touch – allowing the show to break the fourth wall seamlessly, and enabling smooth transitions between instantly recognisable locations like Monica’s apartment and Central Perk coffee shop without overloading the stage, leaving room for imagination and pacey scene changes.
The opening number, Friends Like Us isn’t an exact copy of The Rembrandts’ famous theme tune, but with a similar tone and upbeat feel, it feels instantly familiar and sets the pace for the evening while introducing us to the six much-loved characters, not forgetting Gunther! Interestingly, Friends Like Us was one of the original working titles for the TV series – another well-placed Easter Egg cleverly woven into the script. Touches like this make it clear that the creative team behind the production genuinely cares about the source material and has put real effort into paying homage to, rather than simply poking fun at, the legendary sitcom.
The casting is what really makes this production shine. These characters aren’t just well-known; they’re ingrained in pop culture history. Whilst the actors aren’t lookalikes of their 90s counterparts – although with her “Rachel” wig on, Eva Hope bears an uncanny resemblance to a young Jennifer Aniston – the tight-knit cast of six have the mannerisms and vocalisations of their characters down to perfection. Costume designer Jennie Quirk and wig designer Craig Forrest-Thomas deserve enormous credit for their hard work, which really helps to bring the beloved characters from the screen to the stage.
Alicia Belgarde is endearing as Monica, lacing her neurotic love of cleaning with nurturing warmth, and her solo number I Know stands out as a real highlight of the night. Amelia Atherton effortlessly blends Phoebe’s charming kookiness with her signature sharp wit, and her impressive vocals far surpass Lisa Kudrow’s famously off-key melodies. Eva Hope shines as Rachel, balancing her initial sweet naivety with the hilarious and often exasperating twists of her on-off relationship with Ross. Meanwhile, Enzo Benvenuti captures Ross’ nasally vocal nuances and his hapless personality, while Ronnie Burden exudes Joey’s natural boyish charisma and shows off some sleek dancing skills. Daniel Parkinson as Chandler brings the perfect mix of sarcasm and awkward charm, capturing Chandler’s signature self-deprecating humour. In addition to his recurring role as the warm-up guy, Edward Leigh completes the main cast as he brings a plethora of memorable characters and guest stars to life, including Italian heartthrob Paolo, Tom Selleck’s moustachioed Richard, and lovesick Gunther.
The ensemble cast rattles through a fun mix of original numbers, with cheeky titles such as We Were On A Break, Classic Sitcom Situation and Moist Maker, smart referential lyrics by Bob and Tobly McSmith and Assaf Gleizner’s melodies that pay homage to Broadway favourites such as Chicago and RENT. Add in fun, energetic choreography by Myles Brown and the cast’s impeccable comic timing, and the numbers are consistently entertaining. While few of the songs remain particularly memorable after the show, OMG, it’s Janice! is a certifiable crowd-pleaser, and Daniel Parkinson is comedic gold in his unexpected dual role.
The plot cleverly spans all ten series of the show, condensing years of twists, romances, and sitcom shenanigans into a whirlwind two-hour performance, packed with non-stop jokes, musical numbers, and small details which are sure to delight any serious Friends fans. Overall, the production isn’t groundbreaking, but it also doesn’t take itself too seriously. Instead, it feels like a cosy return to everyone’s favourite Central Perk sofa. It’s certainly the one where everyone leaves smiling. It’s safe to say that, for anyone who loves the original sitcom, could there BE a more enjoyable night out?
Runs until 18 October 2025 and on tour
