First Look: The Friends TV Experience comes to Dublin

Interactive sets include Monica’s kitchen and the Friends fountain, allowing fans to recreate favourite scenes and memorable moments from the TV series

Fans Adam Fogarty and Laura Nolan at the Friends Experience at the Theatre of Light, The Point Square, Dublin.  The experience allows guests take photos and recreate their favourite scenes from the noted TV series. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Fans Adam Fogarty and Laura Nolan at the Friends Experience at the Theatre of Light, The Point Square, Dublin. The experience allows guests take photos and recreate their favourite scenes from the noted TV series. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Ever wanted to peek around Rachel and Monica’s purple door, relax in Chandler and Joey’s recliners or recreate Ross’s infamous sofa pivot?

The Friends Experience debuted in Dublin on Tuesday, opening at the Theatre of Light in The Point Square in Dublin 1 following a successful European tour.

The nostalgia-packed, interactive recreated sets include Monica’s kitchen and the Friends fountain, allowing fans to recreate their favourite scenes and celebrate some of the most memorable moments from the television series.

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The show’s famous coffee house, Central Perk, has also been fully recreated, , complete with that orange sofa.

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Ticket holders will be able to walk through the scenes as if on set themselves, with different areas of the experience dedicated to each of the main characters, and Maggie Wheeler, who played the infamous character of Janice Hosenstein, also involved via video.

The Friends Experience debuted in Dublin on Tuesday, opening at the Theatre of Light in The Point Square, Dublin 1, following a  successful European tour. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
The Friends Experience debuted in Dublin on Tuesday, opening at the Theatre of Light in The Point Square, Dublin 1, following a successful European tour. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

There are numerous “Easter eggs” (hidden messages) for superfans dotted throughout, and a wall graphic detailing all the main characters’ relationships throughout the 10-season run, explaining the complicated dynamics of the love lives of the group.

Friends debuted in 1994 and won numerous awards, following the lives and loves of a close-knit group of friends living in New York City. It remains one of television’s most beloved series.

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Stacy Moscatelli, chief executive of Original X Productions, said they were “so excited” to open the Friends Experience in Dublin because of the number of fans of the show in Ireland.

“Friends fans can step inside the world of the iconic series, relive their favourite moments and celebrate the show like never before,” Ms Moscatelli said.

Interactive recreated sets including Monica’s kitchen from the TV show.  Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Interactive recreated sets including Monica’s kitchen from the TV show. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

For its UK, Ireland and European tours, Original X Productions has partnered with the Luna Entertainment Group and Warner Bros Discovery Global Themed Entertainment.

Outside of the flagship in New York City, The Friends Experience has visited 13 US cities including San Francisco, Seattle and Detroit, and has active global touring locations in Long Beach, California, Melbourne, Australia and Amsterdam.

Tickets for the Friends Experience in Dublin are on sale now for €20 per adult and can be purchased via FriendsTheExperience.com/Dublin. Prebooking is advised as tickets are limited.

Fan Laura Nolan gets a close-up feel for the Friends set in Dublin. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Fan Laura Nolan gets a close-up feel for the Friends set in Dublin. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Ellen O’Donoghue

Ellen O’Donoghue

Ellen O'Donoghue is an Irish Times journalist