Friends: The Musical Parody

Wolverhampton Grand all week.

“Fun time with good friends” ****

The huge 90’s hit was a television phenomenon, and the stage musical is a must for all fans of the programme. The show is crammed with popular phrases from all the sextet to recreate some iconic moments, a tricky task considering the huge number of episodes they had to choose from. The curtain was a little tardy going up on the first night and it must be said the early scenes struggled a little to gather up the giggles, the loud laugh out moments were a little lacking throughout.

The set is cleverly flexible tying in nicely with the show being set during a live transmission of the programme. There are some nice touches and nods to the TV show, but of course the production lives or dies on the re-creation of the much-loved central perk characters. And this they by and large get close to the bullseye with. Not exactly look alike but close enough, with more than enough characteristics to make all six hugely believable and enjoyable.

Sadly, the songs are less enjoyable and forgettable, but it is as promoted a parody and a musical, and more importantly a rather lovely dip into the 90’s and wallow in some recent nostalgia.

The whole event feels very much tongue in cheek and if you arrive with that in mind you will be in the company of bright and breezy bunch of actors and be allowing yourself a pleasant couple of hours. Enjoy it with friends.

Runs until the 18^{th of} October   

David Robinson