The one with all the nostalgia: Friends the Musical Parody at the New Theatre Cardiff – review

Thanks to the New Theatre Cardiff for providing us with review tickets for Friends the Musical Parody

The one where we laughed out loud and got really nostalgic.

Friends the Musical Parody is at the New Theatre Cardiff for the week as part of its UK tour and it’s such a funny, comforting and nostalgic production that fans of the legendary 1990s sitcom will love.

As you can probably guess from the word ‘parody’ in the title, this is a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It pokes fun at plot lines that haven’t aged well, it references the actors’ real lives, calls famous guest stars by their real names and not their characters in the show. Mannerisms and catch phrases are totally over the top at times, and key plot moments are turned into laugh-out-loud songs, some based on tunes from famous musicals including Chicago, Rent, The Little Mermaid and more.

The show begins with a warm-up from compere (Edward Leigh), in a nod to what the live studio audiences watching Friends being filmed would have experienced.

From there, it’s a whistle stop tour of the events of 10 years and 236 episodes as runaway bride Rachel bursts into New York coffee shop Central Perk in her wedding dress and we revisit moments that have become part of modern culture – ‘we were on a break’, ‘they don’t know that we know they know we know’, ‘pivot!’, the Thanksgiving turkey head… It won’t make any sense if you’ve never watched Friends, but for fans, it’s a real tribute to the show. There’s something so warming about sharing these era-defining moments with a theatre full of other people who love the show, all in the know and laughing as much as you are.

The set is so instantly recognisable with the Central Perk signage, familiar purple door of Moncia’s apartment, and costumes looking like they’ve been snatched out of the TV screen from the friends themselves. The wigs are impeccable, especially ‘The Rachel’ haircut. But it is the mannerisms and attention to vocal detail that really brings the characters to life. The way Rachel (Eva Hope) touches her hair, Monica (Alicia Belgrade)’s ‘I know’ and frantic energy, the timing and tone of Daniel Parkison as Chandler’s sarcasm, Harry Mallagahan (playing Joey tonight in lieu of regular Ronnie Burden) with perfect wide eyed facial expressions and the charismatic ‘How you doing?’, Enzo Benvenuti nailing Ross’s distinctive vocal sounds and gestures.

Aside from our core six, the musical features appearances from other Friends’ faithfuls (several depicted by a wonderfully versatile Edward Leigh), coffee shop waiter Gunther desperately longing to be part of the gang, Janice and her unique laugh, Marcel the Monkey, and even an endearing turn from Chick and Duck. 

It’s amazing how many era-defining moments they manage to fit into two hours… although they could easily have added an extra act and the audience would have lapped it up.

Whether you’re like me and remember Friends changing the world in the mid 1990s, having to wait months and months after a cliffhanger of a season end, or you’re like my 16 year old daughter who accompanied me last night and who has binged watched the entire thing several times over as a comfort watch, or you’re somewhere in between, there is so much to enjoy here.

It’s fun, good natured, doesn’t take itself too seriously, is full of laughs and just a lovely reminder of the show that means so much to so many of us. A thoroughly entertaining and uplifting night out.

Friends the Musical Parody is at the New Theatre Cardiff until Saturday 2 May. Tickets, from £26.50, are available although availability is limited for some performances. Age guidance 13+; running time 2hr 20 including interval. Visit the New Theatre Cardiff website for more information.

Also coming up at the New Theatre Cardiff:

Double Indemnity (starring Mischa Barton) Tuesday 5-Saturday 9 May

The Boy at the Back of the Class Tuesday 12-Saturday 16 May

The Enormous Crocodile Thursday 28-Saturday 30 May

The Rocky Horror Show Monday 1-Saturday 6 June