The Way Old Friends Do at Birmingham Rep - Review

Post

Subscribe

Fri 17 Feb 2023 - Sat 04 Mar 2023

Self-proclaimed Abba fanatic Ian Hallard has put pen to paper to create a heart-warming play about music, friendship and the Swedish superstars.

As a born Brummie, it is no surprise Hallard has set the tale firmly in Birmingham with references to parts of the city and local accents. Which makes its premiere at Birmingham Rep all the more fitting.
Hallard plays the part of Peter, an Abba-mad gay guy who meets up with former school friend Edward on a dating app. Rapidly agreeing there is no romantic interest they instead decide to embark on a different kind of adventure – setting up an Abba tribute band in drag. While they play the Abba’s female leads Agnetha and Frida, they take on two women to play the parts of the guys Bjorn and Benny.



The Way Old Friends Do has lots of laugh-out-loud moments as the group attempt to take their show on the road but there’s also lots of depth to Hallard’s writing which draws us into the fragile friendship between the two men.

James Bradshaw’s Edward is openly gay and in a long-term relationship but that doesn’t stop him from indulging when temptation comes his way. As his life totters off-track his problems risk the future of the band.

Hallard plays Peter whose Abba obsession is much clearer cut than his sexuality. While happily meeting guys on dating apps he can’t tell his Nan (played by a voiceover by Miriam Margolyes) until he meets a longer-term partner.

Rose Shalloo is thoroughly convincing as the anxious Jodie who takes on the Bjorn role in the band and understudy Tariyé Peterside, who took the role of Mrs Campbell at the performance being reviewed, brings a lovely matter-of-fact manner to her part.

Directed by Hallard’s husband Mike Gatiss, the production balances out the humour and the pathos so that we’re constantly being pulled between laughing and seeing how the characters' lives are so much more complex than might first appear.



Everything is Abba-inspired including the sets created by Janet Bird who takes the giant ABBA letters featured so frequently by the band and uses them to form walls and doors as a backdrop. Bird also recreates some of the band’s wonderful costumes – although with a slightly different shape to match the male wearers!

But if you’re not an Abba fan, that doesn’t mean the show isn’t for you. While it uses the Swedish superstars and their songs as the story driver, the tale itself is more focused on the friendship between Peter and Edward and the impact music can have on our lives – and anyone who loves a good tune can relate to that.

Produced by The Rep, the show goes out on tour after its Birmingham dates to venues across the UK. On stage in Birmingham until March 4, see https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk for ticket details.

#reviews
#theatre
#music


%wnbirmingham