Theatre Review: The Way Old Friends Do
AD: This Press Night Review refers to the 2023 Production of The Way Old Friends Do at the Birmingham Rep*
A play about Abba? Hasn’t that already been done? Mamma Mia! may have lit up stage and screen since it’s 1999 debut, but The Way Old Friends Do is no jukebox musical. Instead, it’s a play about friendships, old and new, linked by a devotion to the Swedish supergroup.
This brand new comedy, making its debut at the Birmingham Rep, is in good hands; after all, it’s written by local boy Ian Hallard and directed by Mark Gatiss. Hallard and Gatiss have had plenty of opportunity to work on this together. After all they are life partners as well as collaborating professionally. And as a lifelong Abba fan himself, this is a dream come true for Hallard. Although Abba know all too well what happens when romantic relationships get in the way of business.
There was something in the air that night…
A chance encounter between old school friends Peter (Hallard) and Edward (James Bradshaw) triggers a nostalgic reunion. They reminisce about their youth. About Edward coming out as gay, and Peter, well, Peter coming out as an Abba superfan. And before you know it, with the help of Peter’s best friend Sally (Donna Berlin), they are making plans to become the worlds first drag Abba tribute act. A successful one-off show becomes a tour, performing in golf clubs and hotels as far afield as Sheffield.
Hallard portrays Peter as a good-natured, middle-aged man who has never managed to find the right partner to make him happy. He loves his nan (a recorded voice performance from Miriam Margoyles, with a pretty spot-on Brummie accent) and Abba. And highly detailed information packs with a glossary. We are kindred spirits. In contrast, Bradshaw’s Edward is camp and acerbic, with an eye for a younger fella, despite being in a civil partnership with the unseen Melvin. His Frida Gimme Gimme Gimme dance break is hard to forget. However much I may try.
The Bjorn and Benny to their Agnetha and Frida are Jodie (Rose Shalloo), a naive but enthusiastic performer, and a slightly less enthusiastic Mrs Campbell. After all, all she needs to do is be a vaguely human form, sitting behind a piano, wearing a false beard and nodding her head a bit. In this performance, Mrs Campbell was played by Tariyé Peterside, understudy for Sara Crowe. And oh my, didn’t she just steal the show? I’ll never look at Michael Palin again without wondering what he’s running from.
The introduction of hunky Australian photographer Christian (Andrew Horton) changes the group dynamics as he breaks hearts along the way, eventually forcing an uncomfortable confrontation between Peter and Edward. Will they ever re-unite? Not until Abba do. And that’s highly unlikel- oh, wait a sec…
Without a song or a dance what are we?
The Way Old Friends Do is nostalgic and warm, but with some excellent putdowns spewing from the mouth of James Bradshaw’s Edward. Halland has penned a witty script with plenty of Birmingham references – I particularly enjoyed the mention of Acocks Green, growing up a stones throw away as I did from “the village”. (Whisper it quietly but Mr Fletche and I shared our first kiss in the car park of Acocks Green bowl, and it’s also where Ma and Pa Lee went on their first date…). And with plenty of locals in the audience, I think we were all grateful that the Brummie accents were largely authentic and not exaggerated for laughs.
Whilst Spitting Image Live currently has residency in the main house at the Birmingham Rep, The Way Old Friends Do is showcased in the much more intimate 350 seat Studio Theatre. The revolving set, designed by Janet Bird, takes us easily from scene to scene, with simple props dressing the stage. Bird has also designed the costumes, taking inspiration from some of the band’s most iconic looks. Snippets of Abba songs accompany the scene changes. Oh, and also Brotherhood of Man, in a wonderful Angelo/Fernando segue. The stage is beautifully lit by Andrew Exeter, giving out proper discotheque vibes.
The gala night audience were enthralled. There was more than a sprinkling of both Abba and drag amongst the crowd. The standing ovation at the curtain call was almost a given. It didn’t need splashy song and dance performances. If you want that, go see Mamma Mia!. And I confess to being a little strarstruck as seeing Gatiss just a few rows in front of us, clearly enjoying the show.
A sense of expectation hanging in the air
It’s ultimately a show about friendship, about nostalgia, about the middle-aged LGBTQ+ community, and about how music can make everything feel a little better. It celebrates sexuality and gender identity without pushing any agenda. The title “The Way Old Friends Do” references one of Abba’s lesser-known songs, but it sums up the play perfectly.
“Times of joy and times of sorrow, we will always see it through. Oh, I don’t care what comes tomorrow, we can face it together. The way old friends do“
Do I recommend that you go and see this super trouper show? I do (I do I do I do I do).
Take a chance on something new and book a ticket for The Way Old Friends Do. It’s showing at Birmingham Rep until 4th March and then touring nationwide until June.! To book tickets visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk, call 0121 236 4455 or visit the box office during opening hours.
All production photos: Darren Bell
*Why is this post marked AD? I was invited to attend Press Night in exchange for an honest review. You can trust that I will always be honest and truthful on A Brummie Home and Abroad, and being an invited guest will not influence my opinion in any way.
