The one where the sitcom becomes a musical.
Last week I went to see Friends! The Musical Parody at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry and honestly, it was bloody brilliant. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at first. How do you take one of the most iconic TV shows of all time and turn it into a stage musical? But from the very first scene I was howling with laughter.
The whole thing was a nostalgia overload in the best possible way. The show managed to cram in so many of the famous one-liners and moments we all know by heart without ever feeling forced. Every single cast member absolutely nailed their role. The voices, the facial expressions, even the little mannerisms were spot on. You could tell they’ve studied the characters inside out.
The cast and performances in Friends the Musical parody tour
The talented cast included Enzo Benvenuti as Ross, Alicia Belgarde as Monica, Daniel Parkinson as Chandler, Eva Hope as Rachel, Ronnie Burden as Joey and Amelia Atherton as Phoebe. They were all phenomenal. There were so many moments where I caught myself pointing things out to my sister like, “That’s exactly what she does in the show!” It felt like the Friends we grew up watching had just stepped off the TV and onto the stage.
Monica, by the way, has got some moves. The choreography and energy during her scenes were brilliant. Chandler’s sarcastic delivery was perfection, Joey had the charm and cluelessness down to a tee and Phoebe’s songs were pure chaos in the best possible way. Ross got some of the big laughs just from a stutter and of course the leather…. And Rachel, from the moment she appeared in the wedding dress to the iconic “I got off the plane” line every costume was just so spot on.
I can mention so many little things but the way they managed to get Joey with his French script is one of my favourite episodes – I could see the actor to the side of the stage just raising his eye like Matt Le Blanc and I just knew it was coming and when it did I felt a collective ripple of laughter roll through the audience.
Music, humour and clever writing
The musical numbers were surprisingly original and ridiculously catchy. The lyrics were packed with clever nods to the kind of things diehard fans still debate to this day. Were they really on a break? Of course that came up. It felt like the writers had fun leaning into the madness of the show’s storylines, with just the right amount of self-awareness. A song about the single condom had me howling and when the chick and the duck appeared it was just fantastic. So many clever nods to other nostalgic millennial trends and popular culture which was perfectly suited to the audience.
The script by Bob and Tobly McSmith and music by Assaf Gleizner keep the spirit of Friends alive while giving it a fresh twist. There’s even a bit of reflection on how some of those 90s jokes might land differently now, which I thought was really smart.
I still wish I could figure out how Monica managed to land and keep that huge New York apartment – it’s the kind of place Carrie Bradshaw would dream about!
Set, costumes and 90s nostalgia
Huge shoutout to the costume and set design teams too. From Monica’s kitchen to Central Perk, every backdrop felt instantly recognisable. Of course they had to include the purple door, the sofa and that beautiful retro fridge. The wigs, the outfits, the props, every detail was spot on. There were moments where it felt like the audience collectively gasped at how accurate it all was. When that dog statue rolled out on to the stage literally waved and pointed because again, another moment which I just love. It’s been over twenty years since the final episode aired, but sitting there you could almost forget any time had passed at all. I can’t quite believe how many references I vividly remember.
I was l, I have to admit a little confused at the beginning as we had a backstage view but as soon as the show started I realised the vibe that the team were going for and it had me wishing I could have been there to see an episode of a friends be filmed in real life at the time.
They had Joey in all of chandlers clothes doing the lunges and as soon as I saw Phoebe on stage in a velvet dress I knew we were going to get the “they don’t know that we know that they know we know” moment and it did not disappoint.
The atmosphere of Friends! the Musical Parody
The buzz in the room was fantastic. Everyone was clapping, laughing and fully along for the ride. I noticed so many people reacting to different things – favourite moments from the show that they’d been waiting to see if they were mentioned. By the end of the night the cast got a well-deserved standing ovation and then we all got to do “the routine” together! As we all spilled out into the car park people were still singing and clapping along to the Friends theme tune. I haven’t had a night out at the theatre like that in ages. It was joyful, nostalgic and absolutely hilarious.
I just love how they managed to also include so many other characters. I don’t want to spoil anything but all the people you know and love get a mention and some even get a chance to steal the show.
If you’re a Friends fan, Friends! The Musical Parody is an absolute must-see. Whether you’re the type who still quotes Chandler daily or someone who just watched the show religiously on E4 reruns, it’s a brilliant night out. You’ll laugh, you’ll reminisce and you’ll probably find yourself humming one of the songs for days afterwards.
The show is currently touring the UK, so grab your friends and get tickets if it’s coming to a theatre near you. Just be warned, spontaneous pivoting may occur.
Last Updated on Monday, November 3, 2025 by Lavania Oluban