ABIGAIL'S PARTY

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Theatre Royal Bath Productions)

Forty years ago, Abigail had a party and the nation was introduced to Beverley, a sultry, middle class, suburban housewife with a love of gin and tonic, cigarettes and Demis Roussos. Bev, aided by husband Laurence, decides to hold a soirée, inviting Abigail’s mother, Sue, and the new neighbours Ange and Tony. With cheese and pineapple on sticks, peanuts, crisps and even olives what could possibly go wrong? But, as the alcohol flows and the party next door gets louder, tensions rise, escalating into arguments with dire consequences.

Created by award winning writer and director, Mike Leigh, Abigail’s Party is one of his many distressingly real dramas. The last time this play was at Malvern Theatres, he was in the audience and had just won an Oscar for Topsy Turvy. I had the honour of chatting with him in the interval. He was humble, unassuming and one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.

Janet Bird’s inspired set design is the first morsel of brilliance. On entering the theatre you find yourself in the street, outside Bev and Laurence’s house, with its huge front window proudly framing the epitome of 1970’s chic, while our hostess titivates. Ginny Schiller’s casting is perfect and gives this production its own identity while remaining loyal to the iconic screenplay. Amanda Abbington firmly establishes her character, Bev, in the opening sequence as she dances to Donna Summer’s Love To Love You Baby and is brilliant throughout as the narcissist of the piece. Ben Caplan is excellent as her over worked, brow beaten husband, Laurence, expertly switching personas as he struggles to suppress his frustrations. Charlotte Mills oozes energy and optimism, as Ange, superbly compensating for her less than enthusiastic husband, Tony, played by the moody, but handsome, Ciarán Owens. Finally, Rose Keegan is wonderfully funny as the distracted, slightly awkward, Sue.

Sarah Esdaile, directs an engaging piece of theatre which ensures the continued success of this tragic comedy. This new production of Abigail’s Party is uncomfortably hilarious and an absolute must see! It runs at Malvern until Saturday.

5 stars

GHOST THE MUSICAL

(Bill Kenwright Productions)

Malvern Festival Theatre

Andy Moss & Carolyn Maitland

The new touring production of Ghost the Musical opened to a sell out at Malvern Theatres this week. Not one ‘celebrity’ in the cast and yet the auditorium was full. This is testament to the huge impact this iconic movie, starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoppi Goldberg, had on the great British public nearly 27 years ago. Fans of the film will not be disappointed.

This scaled down version of the West End hit works really well as a touring show, with most of the iconic scenes remaining and the special effects perfectly adapted for the demands of different venues. Bob Tomson directs the action through Mark Bailey’s excellent stage design that moves from place to place with fluidity and ease, never halting or interrupting the flow of narrative. This is a loud musical and, as with many musicals, the sound on opening night could have been better. The volume was so high at times it was distortive. The second act, however, was much better and I don’t have any doubt that this will be resolved by the second night. Having said this, the vocals were stunning and Tim Whiting’s band is superb.

The lead character, Sam, is currently being played by the understudy Sam Ferriday, who is normally in the other lead male role of Carl. Ferriday is brilliant and very likeable. It is difficult to imagine him in the part of the baddie, who is now convincingly played by Ethan Bradshaw. One can only imagine just how difficult it must be to understudy opposite the part you usually play, let alone sing a different part in songs you usually sing. An impressive and unenviable accomplishment by Ferriday. The incredibly talented Carolyn Maitland is divine as Molly. Her performance throughout is heartbreaking and utterly captivating. Jacqui Dubois is hilarious as Oda Mae Brown and completely owns the part afforded her. A diverse ensemble play a variety of characters with notable performances from Garry Lee Netley as the Subway Ghost and James Earl Adair, who delivers the most beautiful rendition of You Gotta Let It Go as the Hospital Ghost.

The weakest element of the show is the choreography, which appears basic, unimaginative and repetitive. It is attempting to be contemporary in style but lacks content and doesn’t challenge the cast of apparently capable dancers. Dave Stewart’s and Glen Ballard’s music and lyrics aren’t a standard musical theatre format and the songs don’t stick in your head. Even though the score is easily forgettable, the story is one that really tugs on the heartstrings and the cast give a performance worthy of the standing ovations.

Ghost runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday before continuing on tour. If you are fortunate enough to have tickets, you’re in for a treat!

4 stars