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Cast of The Way Old Friends Do. They are sat around a piano and are smiling at the camera in front of an orange background. Some are wearing earphones and holding microphones.- credit Darren Bell

First look at the cast of The Way Old Friends Do at The Rep

A new play from Birmingham born Ian Hallard directed by Mark Gatiss

Birmingham Rep and James Seabright have released a set of first look images featuring the full cast of Ian Hallard’s brand new play, The Way Old Friends Do, which receives its world premiere at The Rep from 17 Feb – 4 Mar 2023.

Simultaneously tender and laugh-out-loud funny, this heartfelt story, written by and starring Ian Hallard (The Boys In The Band) is directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Dracula, Doctor Who, 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 (Call The Midwife).

This wonderfully uplifting play also features the voices of two of the UK’s best-loved performers, Miriam Margolyes and Paul O’Grady.

Mark Gatiss with cast of The Way Old Friends Do. They are all smiling at the camera in front of an orange background.- credit Darren Bell

In 1988, two 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?

A story that will appeal to anyone who understands how it feels to be a fan: of ABBA or of anyone.

Following its run at Birmingham Rep, The Way Old Friends Do will embark on a tour of the UK, which will include its London premiere at The Park Theatre.