FRIENDS! the Musical Parody | Storyhouse Chester

FRIENDS! the Musical Parody is a nostalgic love letter for fans of the monumental hit TV series Friends. This lively stage production takes audiences on a whistle-stop journey through the beloved ten series with a celebration of the iconic characters and moments in the series which made this one of the most widely successful TV series.

The premise of is a unique one; as the show is set up to appear as if audiences are sat waiting for an episode to be filmed. A comedian comes up to warm up the audience as other ensemble cast members 'prepare' for filming to begin. Whilst Edward Leigh does a fantastic job at creating a rapport with the audience with singalongs, trivia quizzes and a bit of comedy, getting the audience geared up for what is undoubtedly an evening of harmless fun, it does feel like this idea lends a hand to a shaky start to the show.

Whilst Bob and Tobly McSmith have done an admirable job in translating the series from screen to stage, the time constraint means that it's difficult to cram in many of the series' highlights. And whilst we do get a satirical portrayal of some of the most well-known moments, the comedic moments are a mixed bag. Additionally, whilst the songs are fun in their own right, particularly when parodying other well-known musicals, they're not necessarily memorable and their lyrics are rather repetitive and simple, leading to a missed trick in adding comedic value through the music.

The cast must be commended for the amount of time they must have spent to perfect their characterisation. Daniel Parkinson, in particular, is a standout for his commitment to his mannerisms and physicality. Parkinson really shines when he's portraying the sarcastic wit of Chandler to hide his insecurities, but he also multi-roles as the infamous Janis, and he slips between the characters with ease. Enzo Benvenuti's Ross is hilariously awkward and dramatic and Amelia Atherton's Phoebe is delightfully kooky. Alicia Belgarde nails the voice of Monica, in particular her iconic 'I KNOW!' with help from Jessica Martin's accent and characterisation work, and Belgarde impresses vocally.

Harry Mallaghan as understudy for Joey nails the comedic aspect of Joey's character, but his characterisation does fall slightly short. However, this is to be expected as understudy and he does a great job at landing the humour and charm. Eva Hope is utterly convincing as Rachel. Edward Leigh is absolutely hilarious as Gunther, and although his character is playfully referred to as having 'no lines', he steals the show in his number 'Part of their Gang' - a parody of Part of Their World from The Little Mermaid.

Andrew Exeter's set and lightning design does a great job in creating a TV studio, with wooden crates which are moved around the stage by the ensemble to replicate the iconic Central Perk, or Monica's flat or Joey's bedroom. Two TV screens dangle from either side of the stage, and whilst this is a creative attempt to bring live recording to the stage, the TV screens are too small and therefore have little impact for audiences towards the back of the auditorium. An honourable mention must be given to Craig Forrest Thomas' Wig, Hair and Makeup design; the attention to detail and likeness to the original characters is uncanny.

Whilst FRIENDS! the Musical Parody lacks substance due to the inability to cover so many storylines, some iconic moments are highlighted through satire and strong character portrayals. For fans of the series, this is no doubt a lively and captivating celebration of the well-loved show.

FRIENDS! the Musical Parody plays at the Storyhouse in Chester until Saturday 04th April before continuing on its UK tour - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★☆☆ (3*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Pamela Raith