Fresh from New York and Las Vegas, FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, is a side-splitting musical comedy jam-packed with iconic moments from all ten seasons of the beloved television series.
From the Producers of Hairspray and the Director of The Full Monty, this humorous take on the beloved TV show blends iconic moments with laugh out loud comedy as it joins Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe navigating love, friendship, and life’s ups and downs in 1990’s New York City. And it features an entirely original musical score, following the escapades of the world’s most famous group of twenty-somethings. The numbers are a wink and nod to the source material, which is most effective for audience members already fluent in “Central Perk” lore.
All 236 episodes are cleverly referenced in some way into a two-hour show, creating a “greatest hits package” of memorable quotes and scenarios.
The cast should be commended for their energetic commitment to capturing the core of their characters. All the mannerisms are tightly honed, not to mention the uncanny resembles, especially by Eva Hope’s Rachel and Ronnie Burden’s Joey.
But special mention goes to Daniel Parkinson’s Chandler – as well as his rather brilliant recurring caricature portrayal of Janice.
Since the musical cannot use the original theme or Phoebe’s “Smelly Cat” due to rights, the score is entirely original but they overcomer this well and some songs echo Broadway favourites and cover topics like Ross and Rachel’s ‘will-they-won’t-they’ dynamic, Monica’s neuroses, and Joey’s acting career.
The writing gleefully skewers plot inconsistencies that longtime fans have pointed out for years, like how Monica could afford her apartment! I know, right?
The format includes a warm-up guy ahead of each act, encouraging audience involvement and replicating the feeling of a live TV taping. But I sensed instead an audience desire to crack on with the show and wasn’t sure this really added anything to the production value.
To get the most out of this show, you really do need to be familiar with it. Otherwise the jokes just won’t land.
But if, like me, you are a die-hard Friends fan, this will be a joyous two hours in which you’re reminded of the pure genius on this all-time comedy favourite.
The six central characters are still deliciously addictive in their own ways and the show still stands the test of time. I suspect there will be many people reaching for their box sets once again.
Friends! The Musical Parody plays at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre until Saturday, November 1st. Tickets are available from the Belgrade box office on: 024 7655 3055 or HERE.
