Performance

VenueMarlowe Theatre
Other spaces: Studio
TownCanterbury
CountyKent
From3rd November 2003
To8th November 2003
WhenCheck dates
What is currently on at Marlowe Theatre (V674)

Abigail's Party

T967812506
Set in 1970's suburbia, where Beverly and her husband Laurence are hosting a drinks party for their neighbours. There is plenty of alcohol, an array of cheese-pineapple savoury bites and olives, and Demis Roussos on the record player. As prejudices are unmasked and tempers flare, the evening can only end in disaster...
Author Mike Leigh


Archive :: production:T967812506, play:S2149, venue:V674

Production details

Reviews

Overall: 5.00
USER (29Aug03): ABIGAIL’S PARTY by Mike Leigh BIRMINGHAM REP, 28th AUGUST 2003 Theatre Royal Bath and Hampstead Theatre Productions are to be congratulated on their splendid touring version of the Mike Leigh classic. It may be embarrassing to watch but it is timeless and the timing could not have been better as The Radio Times have just published their 40 TV Greats and alphabetically in number 1 position is none other than ‘Abigail’s Party’. Whilst most who have seen this television masterpiece will remember the dreadful Beverly played so wonderfully by Alison Steadman the stage version is simply superb. I haven’t had such an amusing evening out for a long time and everyone else thought the same. A full house and this is frequently the case at The Rep sat laughing, giggling and looking sometimes in disbelief as the excellent cast of Lizzy McInnerny as Beverly, Huw Higginson as Laurence, Elizabeth Hopley as Angela, Simon Wilson as Tony and Liz Crowther as Susan made up one of the most dysfunctional groups of 1970s types I have ever seen. The characters are so well drawn and played that if you lived through the period you can identify with it immediately. All five actors received rapturous applause at the close of the evening and it was well deserved. Director David Grindley recreates the atmosphere of the 1970s beautifully to such an extent that you could see members of the audience pointing out items on stage and saying ‘I used to have one of those’, ‘I knew someone just like her’ and ‘I bought a house from an estate agent like him too’. The set by Jonathan Fensom is exquisitely designed with its brown leather suite, room divider and essential stereo! The costumes are spot on and this production will ensure that they come back into fashion. As the opening production of the Rep’s Autumn season this is a big success and it confirms once more that the man at the helm, Jonathan Church has the magic touch in bringing to Birmingham the very best of plays that attract an audience and fill the theatre. Clive Fuller 5

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Company

Producer Theatre Royal Bath
Producer Hampstead Theatre
Director David Grindley
Design Jonathan Fensom
Lighting Jason Taylor
Sound Gregory Clarke
Performer Lizzy McInnerney (Beverley)
Performer Huw Higginson (Laurence)
Performer Liz Crowther (Sue)
Performer Elizabeth Hopley (Ange)
Performer Simon Wilson (Tony)
CORONAVIRUS: All UK venues closed on 16th March 2020, restrictions were lifted on 19th July 2021. Please note that iUKTDb archive listings between March 2020 and July 2021 may not be accurate as we did not receive details of all rescheduled and cancelled shows.

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