The Way Old Friends Do
Ian Hallard’s company are continuing their rainbow spectrum new play The Way Old Friends Do on its premiere UK tour despite the sad and untimely death of Paul O’Grady. The play about the first ever Abba Tribute band in drag and features the inimitable voice of the late TV presenter and drag legend, Paul O’Grady which was recorded earlier this year.
Hallard’s husband and director, Mark Gatiss, has expressed his grief at the terrible loss on Instagram: “It seems unbelievable that we have lost Paul O’Grady. Such a kind, generous, fearless talent. In November, he very kindly lent us his unique tones, when he recorded a voice over for ‘The Way Old Friends Do’… RIP Paul.” According to the website, the show continues on tour and retains Paul O’Grady’s recorded role as the DJ host.
Gatiss’s direction of this witty, sentimental and perceptive show is a super trouper show for Abba fans. It is clear from this bitter sweet comedy that Hallard is a dedicated Abba fan. Hallard was born in Birmingham so it was fitting that the tour started in Birmingham earlier this year and the show has been gaining momentum throughout the tour with rave reviews.
Starting with a surprise chance reunion, the play explores themes of romantic love, friendship and fame. Hallard is the charming star of the play as Peter, who is a keen Abba enthusiast and promiscuous bisexual and is not yet ‘out’ to his Nan (voice Miriam Margolyes). He meets his old school buddy, Eddie (James Bradshaw), through an internet dating website. Eddie has been married to an older man for nearly 19 years and is having mid-life crisis. The two former school choirboys recall that in the eighties, they were laughed off the school stage for performing ABBA songs for their teenage classmates. In 2015, they retry with a twist by making up and donning wigs to sing the parts of Agnetha and Frida. The talkative jobbing actress Jodie, who is struggling to find female parts, (played by Rose Shalloo) and the bright supercilious Mrs Campbell (Sara Crowe) take on the parts of Björn and Benny. This sensational fancy dress show is stage managed by Pete’s thespian lesbian friend, Sally (Donna Berlin).
As the play progresses, the band has to decide on their future whether to be one-night wonder or keep treading the boards. Will Pete come out to his gran? What will happen to Pete and Eddie’s rekindled friendship when a young attractive photographer from Sheffield called Christian (Andrew Horton) comes backstage after the concert? How will the band and fame affect Eddie’s mid-life crisis? Will the band meet its Waterloo in the end?
You can watch Latest’s entertainment editor Andrew Kay interviewing Ian Hallard and co-star James Bradshaw at here!
The opens at Theatre Royal Brighton on 2–6 May. You can book Tickets at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-way-old-friends-do/theatre-royal-brighton/ or from Theatre Royal Brighton box office.
