Photo by Pamela Raith
Friends has remained popular for decades for good reason. It is endlessly quotable, packed with iconic scenes and still a shared cultural touchstone, a fact underlined by the outcry last month when Netflix UK removed it from the platform. I am old enough to remember my university days being shaped by flatmate commitments to eat chocolate biscuits and watch Friends as it aired live. Over the years, reruns have become a reliable cure for insomnia and sofa-bound sick days.
In much the same way, a good parody never gets old. The Canal Café Theatre NewsRevue, for example, proves this point emphatically. Now in its 46th year, the world’s longest-running live comedy show continues to delight, demonstrating that sharp writing, topical humour, and well-judged satire still draw loyal audiences. We love it enough to go annually.
A parody of Friends ought to bring these two strands together, offering a humorous, critical or satirical take on a much-loved favourite by exaggerating its most familiar features. On paper, FRIENDS! The Musical Parody feels like a recipe for huge success. In practice, this production at New Wimbledon and on tour struggles to decide what it wants to be: parody or tribute. Bob & Tobly McSmith‘s book treads an uneasy line and ultimately does neither as well as it could for anyone other than the most dedicated fans.
There was ample missed opportunity to push the satire further, from the improbably large apartments compared to rent, to the fact they all dated each other, their barely-there jobs, their oddly wholesome lives, the constant shared meals, Rachel’s fashion obsession, Monica’s compulsive cleanliness, Joey’s fixation with food and so on.
All the performances themselves are solid, particularly Daniel Parkinson, who impressively takes on both Chandler and Janice. Eva Hope’s Rachel, channelling Jennifer Aniston, is strong and confident and Alicia Belgrade truly captures the essence of Monica Geller. However, the inclusion of a warm-up act felt unnecessary. The questions were notably tame and it was unclear what the audience was being warmed up for in a non-interactive show. Similarly, the use of live camera feeds felt more like a gimmick than a meaningful addition.
The songs (lyrics: Bob and Tobly McSmith , music: Assaf Gleizner) pass agreeably enough but they do not significantly elevate the comedy. The production also appears not to have the licence for either I’ll Be There for You, performed by The Rembrandts, or Smelly Cat, both conspicuous absences in a show trading so heavily on recognition.
Where the production truly succeeds is in its visual design. Jennie Quirk’s costumes are spot on, and paired with the cast’s mimicry they generate a strong sense of nostalgia. Andrew Exeter’s set design is clever and effective, making it easy to imagine you are watching filming at Central Perk or in the apartment itself.
Ultimately, this is a funny, nostalgic, feel-good night out for super-fans that rewards deep affection for the series. Fans will relish reuniting with their on-screen friends and enjoy putting their hard-earned Friends trivia to work, recognising familiar quotes, character quirks and in-jokes.
[Thank you to New Wimbledon theatre for the gifted tickets for an honest review].
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