Book: Bob and Tobly McSmith
Music: Assaf Gleizner
Lyrics: Bob and Tobly McSmith
Friends The Musical Parody is just what the name suggests. All ten series jammed into two acts with lots of in jokes and quotes from the much loved television series, mixed in with some songs written especially for this musical version.
We all know the story of six friends living in New York and experiencing the ups and downs of life together, and the interrelationships that brings. If you don’t know the story, well this musical will probably be lost on you, although the programme does have a good synopsis.
It is always a hard thing to replace actors of characters many of us have spent many hours with. The first thought is that Monica (Alicia Belgarde) is too short, however all the cast do very good versions of the original characters, copying their characteristics well. Craig Forrest-Thomas on wigs and make up, and Jenny Quick on costumes have worked hard to make it as authentic as possible. Unexpectedly, the annoying Janice steals the show, especially with the song OMG It’s Janice.
The set starts as the television studio and Edward Leigh comes on as the warm up guy as we are to provide the “canned laughter” – a feature of the original Friends. There is audience participation, which is not usually expected, but this musical is no normal show! From here the Crew, clearly noticeable as it says so on the back of their t-shirts, move us from Central Perk coffee shop to Monica’s apartment with an orange sofa appearing conveniently in both.
The songs have been carefully written to parody the original show and often this is where the most laughs come: Two Girls, One Condom and I Am Marcel being particular highlights. We all have favourite scenes from the television show and it is unlikely this musical misses many as it has been carefully crafted by Bob and Tobly McSmith, who obviously know the beloved show inside out. Monica and Chandler (Daniel Parkinson) proposing to each other brings tears to the eyes as it always does watching the moving episode of the show.
By the end, we all loved the new versions of our beloved friends, as the standing ovation demonstrated. Certainly an entirely new take on some well known and loved material and definitely worth leaving your sofa for.
Runs until 21 March 2026 | Image: Contributed
