Can you believe it? Another year has been and gone and it’s already International Friendship Day again. Time flies when you’re having fun with pals. And today is the perfect day to celebrate those brilliant people who make your life so much better. The ones that make you smile when you’re sad, that have your back no matter what, and the ones that drive you NUTS.
To mark today, we’re looking at theatre’s best buddies. The dynamic duos which make us want to be better friends. The characters that inspire us to run off and start a new life. The ones that help us learn important life lessons. Celebrate your International Friendship Day with these stage pairings.
Aladdin and The Genie
There’s always give and take in friendships. Sometimes, there’s a lot more give on one side than the other and that was the case with Aladdin and The Genie in Disney’s Aladdin. The magical wish granter may have been bound to the Prince Of Thieves by an ancient curse, but his intentions and friendship to Aladdin is legit. And though this comradeship may seem a bit one-sided, Aladdin comes good for his pal in blue in the end.
Elder Price and Elder Cunningham
Opposites attract and though that might not be the case at the start of The Book Of Mormon, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham became the picture of supportive buds by the end. This rocky friendship may have been forced to begin with, but after living through difficult and trying times, a bond based on respect, love and acceptance was formed. These two made each other better people… well, mostly.
Anna and The King
We’ve all had people in our lives that blur the lines of enemy and friend, employer and friend, and lover and friend. Anna and the King may dance around these lines and cause each other to lose their minds from time to time, but when it comes down to it, they teach each other and enrich each other’s lives. Offering different perspectives of the world and traditions, this unlikely pair from The King And I showed us that friendship can be found in the most unconventional of places.
Lola and Charlie
These two are the definition of chalk and cheese. One is a conservative suit wearer afraid to chase his dreams. The other is a fabulous drag queen who stands up to bullies and refuses to let negative forces get her down. But when they come together, they create something spectacular. From a chance meeting, the driving forces of Kinky Boots form a business, a mutual respect and a bond that will last longer than the indestructible heels they end up creating.
Donna And The Dynamos
There’s a lot to be said about lifelong friends. If they’ve stuck by you throughout the years despite your missteps, indiscretions and stubbornness, they’re basically family. In Mamma Mia!, Donna has her trusted friends Tanya and Rosie who don’t just support her emotionally and vocally but don sparkly jumpsuits to entertain the guests at her daughter’s wedding. Now, that’s friendship.
Galinda and Elphaba
These Wicked witches were brought together by fate, not common interests. Loathing each other on first sight, Galinda and Elphaba defied the odds by becoming best friends after a prank went a bit too far. Through forgiveness, acceptance and a joint goal, these best friends learnt to embrace people for who they are. Unfortunately, they also learnt that sometimes it’s best to go your separate ways – though a mutual support and love will always be there, no matter how hard itmight be.