A night with old Friends
Naomi MacKay caught up with Ross, Rachel, Joey, Chandler and Monica when she watched FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, which runs at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre until Sat 22 Nov 2025.
How to pack 10 seasons of a beloved comedy series – that’s 236 episodes – into one night at the theatre?
FRIENDS! The Musical Parody is crammed with memorable moments from the show, which still has plenty of fans, including some who weren’t even born when the final episode aired more than 20 years ago.
It’s a lively and affectionate tribute that leans hard into nostalgia, giving long-time fans of the sitcom a joyous, high-speed trip through its most iconic moments. The audience are treated like a live TV studio audience – a clever framing device that introduces some entertaining audience interaction.
Under Michael Gyngell’s direction, the action moves at breakneck speed from one classic Friends scene to another – from Rachel arriving at Central Perk in her wedding dress to Ross’s ‘we were on a break’ saga – with the script gleefully mining decades of television for its funniest, quirkiest moments.
While the pace is thrilling, some jokes and references fly by so rapidly that the audience barely has time to catch them, and a few jokes fall flat.
The cast offer boundless energy and some uncanny mannerisms. Enzo Benvenuti has Ross’s mannerisms down to a tee (possibly a bit over the top, but does that matter in this kind of show?), Alicia Belgarde’s Monica channels the character’s obsessive rigidity with powerful vocals, and the rapport she shares with Eva Hope’s Rachel shines in several duet moments. Daniel Parkinson brings Chandler’s signature sarcasm and physical comedy, while Ronnie Burden’s Joey offers genuine warmth. Amelia Atherton’s Phoebe stands out too, especially with her vocal solos, although her character lacks Phoebe’s quirkiness – but that is the fault of the script, not the actor. Edward Leigh impresses with his ability to slip into multiple supporting roles – including Gunther and Paolo – with effortless flair. His parody of the Little Mermaid song Part of Your World, was cracking.
There’s one character I haven’t mentioned as I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but they were a real favourite with the audience.
Aside from a few familiar notes, licensing rights prevents the production from borrowing the original Friends theme, but instead it uses pastiche numbers that playfully nod to musical theatre classics. Tunes such as Central Perk Tango, a take on Cell Block Tango from Chicago, and Dollars An Episode, an ingenious play on Season of Love from Rent, are particularly memorable.
The set is simple but smart – quick scene changes and modular backdrops take you from the orange couch of Central Perk to the Friends’ apartments in a heartbeat. The costumes and wigs are vividly 90s, capturing each character’s familiar look.
All in all, it’s a vibrant, fast-paced celebration tailored especially for fans who know the show inside out. It may not offer much for anyone not familiar with the TV series, but for those who grew up on Central Perk, it’s a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud night that feels like catching up with old friends.
Tickets: www.atgtickets.com/Aylesbury