Imagine stepping into the shoes of a beloved character without ever having seen the show that made them famous. That's exactly what happened to one actor who is now taking the stage as Joey in a musical parody of the iconic sitcom, Friends.
Meet Ronnie Burden, a 28-year-old talent from Luton. Growing up, his family frequently remarked on how he reminded them of Matt LeBlanc's famous character, often playfully quoting Joey's signature line, "How you doin'?"
Ronnie recalled fondly, "My granddad Alan would always look at me and say, 'Hey, how you doin'?'" It was a phrase that became part of his childhood, yet he had never actually watched Friends until after he scored the role.
After a rigorous audition process that lasted three months, Ronnie finally landed the part. It wasn't until he began preparing for the role that he decided to watch the show, and upon seeing Joey in action, he exclaimed, "Okay, I get it now!" Despite having caught glimpses of the show in passing, he admitted, "I didn't know much about the actual role of Joey."
Now, as he immerses himself in this character, he finds a surprising connection. Like Joey, Ronnie is also navigating the world of acting and embodies that playful spirit reminiscent of a "class clown."
Although he currently resides in Kempston, Bedfordshire, adopting Joey's Italian-American accent came naturally to him. His early experiences performing in productions like Bugsy Malone, combined with his Greek heritage, meant he was often cast in roles requiring that specific accent. He shared, "From a young age, I was always doing Italian American accents... That accent just falls naturally to me, and it's a fun accent to use!"
The show is currently delighting audiences with a five-day run at Milton Keynes Theatre, and Ronnie is particularly thrilled to perform for his family for the very first time. Since he began his professional acting career in 2020, he admits he initially felt the pressure of portraying such a cherished character.
Joey, having been such a fan-favorite, even received his own short-lived spin-off series after the original sitcom concluded in 2004. Ronnie reflected on the widespread affection for Friends, saying, "There are so many fans out there; you can't escape it... Friends holds significant meaning for these viewers; it was everything to them."
After each performance, he engages with enthusiastic fans at the stage door, eager to discuss their fondness for the characters. The excitement doesn't stop there; a video of the cast dancing during the show's curtain call gained incredible traction on TikTok, much to Ronnie's astonishment.
He noted, "We couldn't believe the overwhelming positive feedback we received because you have to tread carefully with a show as iconic as Friends. People want to relive the memories of the series that shaped their childhood. I've genuinely come to love it; learning about the characters and getting to know Joey has been a rewarding journey!"
So, what do you think? Can an actor truly connect with a character without prior knowledge? Or does the essence of Joey transcend what’s seen on screen? Share your thoughts in the comments!
