Tuesday, April 18, 2017

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

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