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Abigail's Party

Abigail's Party

Donna Summer is playing on the stereo. Dishes of cheese and pineapple are on the coffee table…the social get-together from hell is about to begin. Read more …

Beverly, and estate agent husband Laurence, have invited round new neighbours, Tony and Ange and nervous divorcee Sue, twitchy about the party her fifteen year old daughter, Abigail, is throwing over the road. As Beverly plies the guests with alcohol, cigarettes, Demis Roussos and nibbles, this horribly compelling evening descends into drunkenness and debauchery. Comedy, drama and tragedy combine into an iconic piece of theatre.

Mike Leigh’s comedy became an instant classic when it first appeared as a BBC Play For Today in 1977, the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. It is a ruthlessly accurate observation of the pretensions of suburbia, a world obsessed with class and taste and ruled over by the monstrous Beverly!

The critical consensus

Slickly presented and solidly performed, the Theatre Royal Bath/Chocolate Factory touring revival of Abigail’s Party is a real treat.

****(*)Thom Dibdin, Annals of Edinburgh Stage, 26/02/2013

Whatever our social background, Leigh’s play marvels in its mockery of the very British sentiments of inflated self importance and passive aggressive politeness.

Callum Madge, TVBomb, 27/02/2013

For all the assuredness of the production, one can’t help but feel the actors hold back from fully exploring the true horror of the situation, particularly Waterman who certainly has the ability to stretch herself and the character into new territory.

Josie Balfour, The Scotsman, 27/02/2013

Acutely funny and tragic, this play that first appeared in the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee has as its triumphant finale music the Sex Pistols’ Anarchy in the UK. Make of that what you will.

****(*)Irene Brown, Edinburgh Guide, 27/02/2013

This fierce production nails the grain of truth in Leigh’s nightmare vision with horrible precision, redeemed by a fine sense of comedy and irony.

****(*)Joyce McMillan, 28/02/2013


Features about Abigail's Party

New production of Mike Leigh play Abigail's Party tours UK

Thom Dibdin, The List, 19/02/2013

Theatre Preview: Abigail's Party

The Scotsman, 25/02/2013

Where and when?

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Monday February 4, 2013, until Saturday February 9, 2013. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com

King's Theatre, Edinburgh from Monday February 25, 2013, until Saturday March 2, 2013. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/kings

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