The Way Old Friends Do
written by Ian Hallard and directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who),
A new comedy about devotion, desire and dancing queens
The Way Old Friends Do, written by Ian Hallard and directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who), is a new comedy about devotion, desire and dancing queens.
In 1988, two Birmingham school friends tentatively come out to one another: one as gay, the other – more shockingly – as an ABBA fan. Nearly thirty years later, a chance meeting sets them on a brand-new path and they decide to form the world’s first ABBA tribute band – in drag! But can their friendship survive the tribulations of a life on the road which includes platform boots, fake beards and a distractingly attractive stranger?
Simultaneously tender and laugh-out loud funny, this heartfelt story will appeal to anyone who understands how it feels to be a fan: of ABBA or of anyone.
As an actor, Ian Hallard’s theatre credits include The Boys in the Band (West End, WhatsOnStage Best Actor nomination), Great Britain and Scenes From An Execution (National Theatre).
Director Mark Gatiss is best known for his work as an actor, writer and producer on Sherlock, Dracula, and Doctor Who, and for being one quarter of comedy troupe The League of Gentlemen.
The cast includes Donna Berlin (Doctors), James Bradshaw (Endeavour), Sara Crowe (Olivier Award winner for Private Lives), Andrew Horton (Jupiter’s Legacy) and Rose Shalloo (Malory Towers).
Miriam Margolyes interview, whose voice features in the show.
A short interview with Miriam Margolyes who lends her voice to ‘Nan’ alongside writer Ian Hallard’s character ‘Peter’ in The Way Old Friends Do a new backstage comedy directed by Mark Gatiss and celebrating all things ABBA, drag and friendship.
Q: Ian Hallard (writer) mentioned that it was very sad for him not to have been able to come out to his Nan to whom he was very close. He was incredibly touched that his character is able to make up for that in the play by coming out to his Nan, who is played by you. Do you think that it is easier these days for young people to be more open about their sexuality, especially to members of their family?
Miriam: NO! I don’t think it’s ever easy to come out, just depends on the family of course. These days there’s no excuse to be homophobic, but that doesn’t stop people from having stupid attitudes. It may be marginally easier, I do hope so.
Q: have played such a wonderfully diverse group of characters in your voice over career. How does it compare to being on stage or screen?
Miriam: I’ve lucky to have a flexible voice so I’m not typecast vocally, which I am physically, but no more so than any other fat person. It’s inevitable that someone with my build isn’t going to be the love interest, but I provide different sparks and as I’ve got older, the parts have got more malevolent and evil is always delicious to play. My theatre days are over because of spinal stenosis, but I can continue vocally and I intend to.
Q: Is there a character in a play or film that you have not played that you would love to play (I think you would make an amazing ‘Queen Lear’)?
Miriam: I don’t approve of mangling Shakespeare with gender-bending but I would so love to reprise LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT. I could, because I have just enough mobility to play Mary Cavan Tyrone. Mrs. Alving (GHOSTS) would be fun to try and Queen Margaret. I got old too quickly.
The Way Old Friends Do tours the UK until 10 June, and heads to the Park Theatre in London 15 March – 15 April visit www.thewayoldfriendsdo.com for more information.
TOUR DATES
