Calling all ABBA and new writing fans! I’m delighted to return to the Park Theatre for the premiere of The Way Old Friends Do, written by and starring Ian Hallard and directed by Mark Gatiss.
In the late 1980s, two school friends from Birmingham tentatively come out to one another: one as gay, the other as an ABBA fan.
Nearly 30 years later, a chance meeting sets them on an exciting 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; one full of platform boots, fake beards and a distractingly attractive stranger?
Tender and laugh-out-loud funny in equal measures, this heartfelt story will appeal to anyone who understands how it feels to be a fan: of ABBA or of anyone.
The Way Old Friends Do is written by Ian Hallard (The Boys in the Band, Park Theatre and Scenes From An Execution; National Theatre), and directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Dracula, Doctor Who, The League of Gentlemen).
Hallard also features in The Way Old Friends Do cast, along with Donna Berlin, James Bradshaw, Sara Crowe, Andrew Horton and Rose Shalloo – not to mention some voices you will recognise (Miriam Margolyes and Paul O’Grady).
Following the 7.30pm performance of The Way Old Friends Do on Wednesday 29 March 2023, I’ll talk to cast and creatives about putting on a brand-new play…and, no doubt, ABBA. Any questions? Join us!
Terri Paddock founded WhatsOnStage.com and the WhatsOnStage Awards, running the company and its events from 1996 to 2013. Terri is also the author of two novels, Come Clean and Beware the Dwarfs, and has previously written for the Evening Standard, Independent, The Times and other national publications. She is renowned for her 'legendary' post-show Q&As and also produces the annual Critics' Circle Theatre Awards and acts as a digital, content strategy and event consultant for theatre, producers and other clients. She tweets about theatre at @TerriPaddock.
