New York City‘s Paley Center for Media is opening a new Will & Grace exhibition, and the official Friends experience is making its UK debut in Birmingham.
Launching on 8 July at Birmingham’s NEC, the Friends Experience offers interactive sets, including Monica’s kitchen and the iconic Friends fountain.
Fans of the TV series will also get to relax in Chandler and Joey’s recliners, help Ross with the famous sofa pivot, enjoy a coffee from the Central Perk coffee stand, and shop for exclusive merchandise.
Of course, the Central Perk coffee house will be fully recreated in Birmingham’s NEC, complete with the famous orange sofa.
US TV brand experiences
“Friends fans will be able to step inside the world of the iconic series, relive their favourite moments, and celebrate the show like never before,” said Stacy Moscatelli, Original X Productions’ co-president and chief strategy officer.
The Friends Experience has visited Paris, France and US cities including Boston, Chicago and Washington, DC.
It also has current locations in Brussels, Belgium, as well as Seattle and Philadelphia, and a flagship in New York City.
Elsewhere, the Paley Center for Media is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Will & Grace with a new exhibition as part of its annual Pride Month celebrations.
The immersive exhibition, running from 2 June through 9 July, will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of the hit TV series.
It will feature costumes, interactive installations and props – including the original ‘Sad Man’ painting from the Will & Grace apartment set.
Additionally, the Paley Center for Media will host Will & Grace trivia challenges, screenings of classic episodes, and arts and crafts experiences.
Maureen J. Reidy, president and CEO of the Paley Center for Media, said: “Will & Grace broke barriers and was a driving force in leading to greater LGBTQ+ representation in media.”
The institution, said Reidy, is “thrilled to celebrate the series’ milestone anniversary and showcase its profound and enduring impact on television and culture”.
