Mon 22 May - Sat 27 May
The Way Old Friends Do...
Written by and starring Ian Hallard
Directed by Mark Gatiss
The Way Old Friends Do, written by Ian Hallard, is a new comedy about devotion, desire and dancing queens.
In 1988, two Birmingham school friends tentatively come out to one another: one as gay, the other – more shockingly – as an ABBA fan.
Nearly thirty years later, a chance meeting sets them on a brand-new path and they decide to form the world’s first ABBA tribute band – in drag! But can their friendship survive the tribulations of a life on the road which includes platform boots, fake beards and a distractingly attractive stranger?
Simultaneously tender and laugh-out loud funny, this heartfelt story will appeal to anyone who understands how it feels to be a fan: of ABBA or of anyone.
As an actor, Ian Hallard’s theatre credits include The Boys in the Band (West End, Whatsonstage Best Actor nomination), Great Britain and Scenes From An Execution (National Theatre). His other plays include Adventurous (Jermyn Street Theatre), Steenie (The Turbine) and Horse-Play (Riverside Studios).
Director Mark Gatiss is best known for his work as an actor, writer and producer on Sherlock, Dracula, and Doctor Who, and for being one quarter of comedy troupe The League of Gentlemen. He has just directed The Unfriend at Chichester Festival Theatre to critical and audience acclaim.
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Reviews
“So much to love, whether you’re an ABBA fan or not… hilariously funny and bang on the Money, Money, Money.”
Reviews Hub
“A genuine love letter to ABBA… blisteringly funny one-liners.”
Broadway World
“Hilarious and surprisingly moving. You won’t want to miss it.”
West End Bestfriend