Friends - The Musical Parody

Bob and Tobly McSmith (book and lyrics), Assaf Gleizner (music).

Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, Oskar Eiriksson (UK)

Grand Opera House, York

September 30-October 4, 2025; 2hrs 10 mins

(also Bradford Alhambra, January 27-31, 2026; Buxton Opera House, February 10-14; Hull New Theatre, Mar 2-7; Chester Storyhouse, March 30-April 4)

Accept substitutes: l-r Alicia Belgarde as Monica, Daniel Parkinson as Chandler, Enzo Benvenuti as Ross, Eva Hope as Rachel, Amelia Atherton as Phoebe and Ronnie Burden as Joey

The one where Friends fans give it

...and everyone else gives it

I confess I was never a dedicated follower of global TV comedy hit Friends, which ran for 236 episodes and a special over 10 seasons.

I know of it, of course; have seen some episodes, remember the catchphrases, recall the quirks of the characters and, naturally, the Rachel haircut in the series about six friends - Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross - their 20s and early 30s, residents of Manhattan, New York.

Friends - The Musical Parody crams the highlights from all 10 seasons into a two-hour original musical.

Clearly most of the first night audience at York Grand Opera House were friends of Friends, cheering the reproduction of situations and lines from the series. Those unfamiliar with the series may feel a bit left out and wonder what on earth is going on. But this parody is a good-natured one, with nothing malicious or hurtful about it. It’s like a live "Best of Friends" tribute.

The musical is framed as a show being taped, which unfortunately gives a tiresome warm-up man the chance to organise audience participation before the show begins.

The songs (Bob and Tobly McSmith and Assef Gleizner) are serviceable - some reminiscent of other musicals - rather than outstanding, but pleasant enough. Myles Brown’s choreography shines in a couple of the production numbers.

As for the Friends themselves, the producers have resisted casting lookalikes to do impersonations of Ross, Rachel and others, but instead have actors - Amelia Atherton, Alicia Belgrade, Enzo Benvenuti, Ronnie Burden, Eva Hope and Daniel Parkinson - with enough physical resemblance and acting talent to satisfy the fans.

More info and tickets here (York)