The Way Old Friends Do - The Lowry

AS a teenager I dismissed Abba as a safe, uninspiring pop group your parents listened to. Even though my own musical tastes at the time were hardly punk rock.

The Swedish supergroup are, I know admit, minus my adolescent blinkers, responsible for a string of classics that sound just as good 40 years on from their original release.

Abba and their music feature strongly in this heartfelt and hilarious comedy from Ian Hallard. But The Way Old Friends Do, about an Abba tribute band with a mighty difference, isn’t really about them at all.

It’s a play about friendship and having the courage of your convictions in the face of homophobia. Just like a real band, the one founded by two previously estranged gay friends, have their own personal struggles to overcome, challenges that threaten the future of a group initially formed on a sort of whim.

Hallard himself and James Bradshaw are perfect together as Peter and Edward, the long lost pals on a musical mission to pay tribute to the group Peter in particular adores and, like the rest of the cast, display a sense of comic timing that’s second to one. Edward’s camp and caustic put downs are well worth the ticket fee on their own.

I really enjoyed Sara Crowe as the wonderful Mrs C.

While this superb comedy touches on more serious stuff it does so in a very entertaining and engaging manner and together with the laughs, that come thick and fast, combine to create an evening of theatre you simply won’t want to end.

I would expect nothing less from Mark Gatiss, for me one of our most gifted directors. Everything he touches just turns to gold.

The Way Old Friends Do simply must not be missed. Rib achingly funny, it also has a big heart.

Until May 27. The box office is on 0343 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - ****