Abigail's Party

After a triumphant West End, Lindsay Posner’s acclaimed revival of one of the most popular plays ever written is touring the UK.

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.

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!

Mike Leigh is one of Britain’s most influential theatre and film directors. His numerous awards have included Best Comedy award for the stage play Goose Pimples, a BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film for Life is Sweet, Best Director Award at Cannes Film Festival for Naked, the Palme d’Or at Cannes for Secrets and Lies and an Oscar for Topsy Turvy.

Lindsay Posner recently directed the all-star revival of Noises Off at the Old Vic and Butley, A View from the Bridge and Fiddler on the Roof in the West End.

'Lindsay Posner’s triumphant production. Brilliant, vintage Leigh.' Observer

'A pitch perfect production. Sunday Express

'An excellent revival … as painfully as ever. Times

'A cracking revival' Financial Times

'A night of continuous guilty pleasure … a superb production.' Daily Telegraph

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