Abigail’s Party originated from an improvisation that turned into a script by Mike Leigh.
This went on the become the classic play that has enthralled audiences with every revival since its’ Hampstead premiere in 1977, which of course made a star of Leigh’s wife, Alison Steadman.
All credit to the marvellous talents of the London Classic Theatre Company then, for breathing new life into what was already a masterpiece of social observation.
It’s a bit like buying your tried and tested brand of tomato soup, looking sceptically at the label which says ‘new and improved flavour, tasting it then saying ‘by golly it is’.
The first thing that hits you when the lights go up is Bek Palmer’s clever set – and the second is her costumes.
Picture – © Sheila Burnett. s
Oh boy, how those of us who were aspiring newly-wed homeowners in the 70s cringed at the garish
geometric wallpaper, the stark Scandinavian wall unit with obligatory drop leaf cocktail cabinet and – horror of horrors – the colour changing fibreglass lamps.
Costume wise cue the three-piece suits that we thought so cool (are not they back now and tighter than ever?), maxi day dresses, Bacardi rum and extra long cigarettes.
We were the new sophisticated middle class – the upwardly mobile generation that followed the 1960s rebellion with a new order of new money and an urge to spend it.
Picture – © Sheila Burnett. s
Rebecca Birch epitomises all this as ‘hostess (she thinks) with the mostest’ in the long red dress, Beverly. Gorgeous, generous and utterly vile!
Tom Richardson is a perfect foil for Beverley’s bile as Laurence, her cohost stressed-out husband.
He is also the wearer of the camel coloured three piece, accessorised with suitcase-sized briefcase.
Alice De-Warrenne is the best ‘Angela’ – the neighbour who says yes to everything from a never-ending booze binge to cheese and pineapple sticks – I’ve ever seen over the years.
De-Warrenne takes the larger than life ‘Ange’ and makes her performance enormous as the alcohol kills any inhibitions she started off with.
George Readshaw oozes charisma as Angela’s ex-professional footballer husband Tony and Jo Castleton completes the perfect company as the mild mannered and intellectual Susan, Abigail’s Mother.
Picture – © Sheila Burnett. s
We do not meet Abigail herself, as she is having a party at her mum’s house next door.
Which by all accounts is a teenage ‘snogathon’, getting raunchier by the hour whilst the gathering at Beverly and Laurence’s descends from banter to bitterness as their evening disintegrates.
Director Michael Cabot has definitely put his own stamp on the show and without altering the writer’s dynamics.
Cabot’s vision is several shades darker than its predecessors.
The build to the final meltdown scene set to Beethoven’s fifth symphony is simply sumptuous and with a climax leaving you holding your breath.
There was a great buzz in the house on press night and much loud debate amongst the patrons, many of who seemed to be Abigail aficionados.
Malvern is always one of my favourite theatres to review in and it almost seemed that this production was tailor made for it.
Grab one of the last seats while you can. This is a party well worth going to.
Abigail’s Party runs at Malvern Theatres until Saturday, July 8. Click here for times, tickets and more information.
*****
Review by Euan Rose
Euan Rose Reviews
