From cinemas to the West End, friendship duos are the basis for some of the most popular stories across stage and screen. To celebrate International Friendship Day this Saturday, along with Wicked’s recent celebration of their landmark 6000th West End performance, we’re exploring some of the most iconic pairings that exist across TV, film and theatre.
Elphaba and Glinda (Wicked)
Starting with musical phenomenon Wicked, we are transported to Oz and the unlikely yet profound friendship of Elphaba and Glinda. With Elphaba being known as the “The Wicked Witch of the West” and Glinda as “Glinda the Good”, the idea that these women could even be amicable would not be thought of by those that have read classic fairy tales. But, Wicked allows this incredible friendship to blossom on stage, accompanied by a soundtrack of some of musical theatre’s most loved songs such as ‘Popular’ and ‘Defying Gravity’, and proves that differences in friendships aren’t a bad thing at all!
Penny & Tracy (Hairspray Musical)
In the musical Hairspray, Tracy Turnblad and Penny Pingleton are unlikely friends that navigate high school in the 1960s together. With Penny struggling with a strict and overbearing mother and Tracy trying to create a life other than taking over her mother’s laundromat, the pair come together to achieve their dreams and find more friendships and love along the way. Whether you’ve seen Hairspray on stage or on screen, it’s hard not to love Tracy and Penny’s infectious friendship.
Nick & Schmidt (New Girl)
For fans of sitcoms, one friendship comes to mind as being one of the strongest and most hilarious in all of television. The friendship between Nick and Schmidt from the FOX hit series New Girl provides us with some of TV’s most relatable and hysterical moments. After meeting as roommates in university, the pair move into a Los Angeles apartment together and navigate their 20s and 30s in the city through relationships, heartbreaks and even their ‘Tinfinity’ anniversary party!
Eric & Otis (Sex Education)
With TikTok compilations and viral Twitter threads celebrating their friendship, Eric and Otis from Netflix’s hit show Sex Education are definitely a pair to highlight! Even though Eric and Otis have many differences, from their personalities to their family lives – their friendship is elevated by their differences and ability to keep each other in check. The pair face many challenges throughout their school years but they stick by each other’s side no matter what!
Genie and Aladdin (Aladdin – Film)
“You ain’t never had a friend like me!” Disney’s Aladdin features one of the most genuine friendships in animated cinema history. Meeting the Genie in the Cave of Wonders, Aladdin is granted three wishes which takes him and his sidekick Abu on an incredible journey to find love. Promising to use a wish to set the Genie free, Aladdin proves he is more than the ‘no good thief’ he was once thought to be.
Maverick & Goose (Top Gun)
“Talk to me, Goose.” In the classic 1989 Top Gun, Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards star as Maverick and Goose. Sent to The Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School the two become co-pilots in an F-14 and navigate the skies together. After Goose’s tragic end, Maverick stays loyal throughout the rest of his pilot career in seeing all his pilots get home safe through Top Gun and the new Top Gun: Maverick.
WICKED is playing at The Apollo Victoria Theatre, London, tickets are available at www.WickedtheMusical.co.uk
