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Details

Abigail's Party archiveSet 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...

Cast/Performers

Lizzy McInnerney (Beverley), Huw Higginson (Laurence), Liz Crowther (Sue), Elizabeth Hopley (Ange), Simon Wilson (Tony)

Creatives/Company

Author: Mike Leigh
Producer(s): Theatre Royal Bath, Hampstead Theatre
Director: David Grindley
Design: Jonathan Fensom
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Sound: Gregory Clarke

Abigail's Party

Abigail's Party (Play) production archive for QTIX code T967812506. Details of all Abigail's Party archived productions can be found under the QTIX code: S2149

Archive Listings

24 Nov 03
  to
29 Nov 03
Southend Palace Theatre
Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
Performance Details => Venue archive
17 Nov 03
  to
22 Nov 03
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Guildford, Surrey
Performance Details => Venue archive
11 Nov 03
  to
15 Nov 03
King's Theatre
Edinburgh
Performance Details => Venue archive
3 Nov 03
  to
8 Nov 03
Marlowe Theatre
Canterbury, Kent
Performance Details => Venue archive
27 Oct 03
  to
1 Nov 03
The Lowry
Salford, Greater Manchester
Performance Details => Venue archive
20 Oct 03
  to
25 Oct 03
Milton Keynes Theatre
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Performance Details => Venue archive
6 Oct 03
  to
11 Oct 03
Arts Theatre
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Performance Details => Venue archive
29 Sep 03
  to
4 Oct 03
Theatre Royal
Brighton, East Sussex
Performance Details => Venue archive
23 Sep 03
  to
27 Sep 03
Lighthouse (previously known as Poole Arts Centre)
Poole, Dorset
Performance Details => Venue archive
15 Sep 03
  to
20 Sep 03
Regent Theatre
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Performance Details => Venue archive
8 Sep 03
  to
13 Sep 03
Richmond Theatre
Outer London, Greater London
Performance Details => Venue archive
27 Aug 03
  to
6 Sep 03
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham, West Midlands
Performance Details => Venue archive

Reviews

Reviews


UK Theatre Web: 29Aug03: Star RatingStar RatingStar RatingStar RatingStar Rating
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

User Reviews

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
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CORONAVIRUS: All venues in the UK were shut down on March 16, 2020, and the restrictions were finally lifted on July 19, 2021. It is important to mention that the UK Theatre Web archive listings (iUKTDb) from March 2020 to July 2021 might not be accurate due to the lack of information regarding rescheduled and cancelled shows.

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