‘Ill Be There for You’ Friendsical – Orchard Theatre, Dartford. 27.10.2022

After a few weeks apart, it was back to the Orchard for something new, but I had been intrigued to see.

Starting its life in 2019 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Friendsical: A Parody Musical about Friends – the classic favourite of many 90s TV show has now embarked on 2 tours around the UK. Brought to you by Birdbrooke Entertainment Ltd, they have taken a 90 min production at the Fringe and turned it into a 2 act, 2 hour and 20 min production. The story focusses mainly on the Love story of Ross and Rachel, that so many were engulfed with during the 10, throw in many iconic moments, lines of the show from the other 4 friends, and some brand new original songs based on said moments, you have yourself a Friendsical.

The show continuously bounces between series, so at one point you are in series 2, but then jump forward to a moment in series 7 or 10. To someone who wouldn’t know or by chance hadn’t caught the classic TV show, it would be very confusing. I feel that the production focusses on attracting the hard loved fans to come and see this very clever production that gives you a chance to laugh once again at some iconic moments you loved and enjoy reminiscing with the cast and audience. The cast themselves also joke about how sporadic the story line is and how everything is thrown into one – there is a lot of cover in just 2 hours and 20 mins and how they did it in 90 amazes me! You would just be intrigued as to what they could throw in next to make you chuckle but also go, ‘Oh Yea’ with some guest appearances and moments. The songs also catchy during the production, bringing a little extra light on some iconic moments of the TV show – I particularly loved the Ross Lighting Round Quiz number!

This tour also, has introduced the welcoming of a a-list guest performer, with names such as Joanne Clifton, Jay Mcguines, Orchard Theatres guest start is none other than Harry Judd from hit UK band McFly. Harry was given his moments to enjoy and be loved by the audience, by performing the numerous guest appearances that were seen on the TV show also played by the many guest celebs that starred in the show like Brad Pitt, Danny DeVito! It was a clever asset to bring to the show and also gave us a laugh!

The cast themselves excel at performing the 6 Friends, however some more than others really did embrace their character Tim Edwards was a reflection of Chandler played originally by Matthew Perry, Tim had the mannerisms, the speech and the persona of Chandler that when he was on stage, my eye was also drawn to him. His love interest, Monica played brilliantly by Sara Michelle-Kelly who defiantly could by Courteney Cox’s Doppelganger. Ross Gellar, Nelson Bettencourt the narrator so to speak of the show, at times would display the brilliant moments that Ross has given to us, but at times fell short and may have been over performed to what it originally was. Rachel also similar played by Amelia Muus although embarked Rachel I felt at times she was alot more whiney – but then that could of been what she was going for in the role!

I would have liked to have seen more of Joey and Phoebe, played by Sario Solomans and Ally Retberg. I didn’t feel that Sario was given enough time to portray Joey to his full extent and Ally had the mannerisms of Phoebe which showed very much the ditzy character we all loved.

The cast were supported by two ensemble Olivia WIlliamson and Tanveer Singh Devgun who joined them in playing a few roles, Tanveer’s Gunther was brilliant and it was great to see he was given a moment to shine!

This show is for sure a friends fan club and if you are a lover of the show then you will for sure enjoy this musical and reminisce in the joys it brought when it first hit our screens – I mean I am a sucker for re-watching the show on the odd occasion and yet can still quote those lines that leave us chuckling. But it would fall short to those who don’t know the show as well and leave them confused at what they were watching, but I would say may laugh at a few moments.

This enjoyable, not to be taken to seriously, unique musical will leave you laughing in your seat and provide you with a great nights entertainment, one defiantly for a ‘Friends’ night out!

Playing at the Orchard Theatre until Saturday 29th October, for ticket information head here. It will then embark on his final leg of its UK tour, for dates and tickets go here.