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# REVIEW: ‘The Way Old Friends Do’ @ Birmingham Repertory Theatre
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-the-way-old-friends-do-birmingham-repertory-theatre/
- Published: 2023-02-28T14:59:35.000Z
- Updated: 2023-02-28T20:54:34.000Z
- Description: With a sharply funny, high-camp, and dragged-up script, this production is full of laugh-out-loud moments woven alongside the heart-warming story of friendship, coming outs, and love.
- Author: Catherine Muxworthy
- Tags: Arts, Theatre, Birmingham, James Seabright

***The Way Old Friends Do*** – written and starring **Ian Hallard** (*The Boys in the Band)*, and directed by **Mark Gatiss** (*Sherlock, Dracula, Doctor Who, The League of Gentlemen*) – is to show at **Birmingham** **Repertory Theatre** from **Tuesday, February 28** till **Saturday, March 4**.

This tender new comedy, presented by **Birmingham Rep** and **James Seabright** in association with **Jason Haigh-Ellery** and **Park Theatre**, showcases a heartfelt story of queer friendship and a love of **ABBA**.

Two Birmingham school friendships in the late 1980s share coming outs – one as gay and the other, as a die-hard ABBA fan. The play catches up with them 30 years later, when the pair – Peter (Ian Hallard) and Edward (**James Bradshaw**) – are reunited to form an ABBA tribute band with a twist – the members will all be in drag. Will their friendship survive life on the road though, especially when an attractive stranger becomes part of the equation?

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/abba-grouping-ian-hallard-peter-rose-shalloo-jodie-sara-crowe-mrs-campbell-james-bradshaw-edward-the-way-old-friends-do-credit-darren-bell-scaled-1-e1677596065974.jpg)

With a sharply funny, high-camp, and dragged-up script, this production is full of laugh-out-loud moments woven alongside the heart-warming story of friendship, coming outs, and love. Packed with glitter, fake beards, platform boots, and ABBA jokes, *The Way Old Friends Do* is a love letter to LGBTQ+ friendships and fandoms which will appeal to fans of productions like *Priscilla: Queen of the Desert*.

This uplifting and charming play also stars **Donna Berlin** as the lesbian stage manager, **Sara Crowe** as Mrs Campbell, A**ndrew Horton** as Christian and **Rose Shalloo** as Jodie, and features the voices of **Paul O’Grady** and **Miriam Margolyes**.

Following its run in Birmingham, *The Way Old Friends Do* sets out on a UK tour which includes **Sheffield Theatres**, **Park Theatre**, London, and **The Lowry**, Manchester.

**For tickets to the Birmingham show, [CLICK HERE](https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/the-way-old-friends-do-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**

***All photos by Darren Bell***

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ian-hallard-peter-wig-the-way-old-friends-do-credit-darren-bell-scaled-1-e1677596222907.jpg)