Swedish supergroup inspire play about friendship at The Lowry

IT’S the late 1980s and two school friends cautiously come out - one as gay and the other as a fan of Abba.

They decide 30 years later to form a tribute act to the Swedish supergroup, complete with fake beards and in drag.

But can their long standing friendship survive all the trials and tribulations of a life on the road?

The Way Old Friends Do comes from the pen of Ian Hallard and is directed by the rather wonderful and very talented Mark Gatiss.

Ian, who appears in the production, said: “It’s a backstage play very much in the vein of The Full Monty. A bunch of plucky amateurs decide to put on a show . It’s about those characters and their relationships .”

The play comes to The Lowry from May 24-28 and tickets and further details are available from 0343 208 6000 or www.thelowry.com.