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Brill Productions Limited in association with Park Theatre Present

Abigail's Party

By Mike Leigh

This show has now passed. This is a an archive page.

 

 

Directed by Vivienne Garnett

★★★★
The Times

★★★★★
The Upcoming

★★★★
Spy In The Stalls

★★★★★
London Living Large
★★★★
Broadway World

★★★★
Theatre Weekly

Off West End Award Nomination: Best Set Design

Cheesy pineapple anyone?

This iconic comedy drama returns to the London stage with Kellie Shirley (EastEnders/In The Long Run) playing Beverly, Matt Di Angelo (EastEnders/Ordinary Lies) playing Tony and Ryan Early (Lee Bryce in The Archers) playing her angst-driven husband Laurence.

Beverly and estate agent husband Laurence are happily ensconced and living the dream in suburbia. They know what records to play, what art prints to buy and what wine to drink. And Beverly just can’t resist the temptation to spread her knowledge and help improve the lives of their neighbours Tony, Angela and Abigail’s Mum, Susan. What better way to help out than to invite them all for drinks and titbits?

Abigail’s Party is Mike Leigh’s classic 1977 play that was first developed through lengthy improvisations, a style which became the hallmark of Leigh’s future success in film and TV.

It first ran at the Hampstead theatre for 104 performances and was due to transfer to the West End but instead it was whisked into a BBC TV studio and the subsequent broadcast quickly became a cult classic, often hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

It’s the ultimate 1970’s comedy of manners as new-found suburban pretensions emerge and social aspirations abound. Sit back and relax as the gin is poured, the cigarettes are lit and Demis Roussos hits the turntable forever and ever. It’s the party to end all parties and you’re all invited!


'Full of brilliantly observed details' ★★★★ The Times

'This reprise is undoubtedly up there with the best' ★★★★★ The Upcoming

'A production that deserves to be seen by the widest possible audience' ★★★★★ London Living Large

'A lively, dynamic, and absorbing evening' ★★★★ The Spy in the Stalls

'Vivienne Garnett succeeds in making this delightful tragi-comedy feel like a brand new play, while being as familiar as cheese and pineapple on sticks.' ★★★★ Theatre Weekly

'A fabulously funny yet excruciating examination of middle class suburbia' ★★★★ everything theatre 

'An engaging comedy of errors that drives home the discomfort and painfully awkward interactions to great effect' ★★★★ LondonTheatre1 

'Wonderfully frosty interactions' The Stage 

'Garnett’s production is a carefully crafted drama and her company are an ensemble of perfectly weighted performances' ★★★★ Jonathan Baz Reviews

'Mike Leigh's 1977 classic still packs the laughs' ★★★★ Broadway World

'Sharp, funny, poignant and superbly acted... A thoroughly enjoyable evening that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend' ★★★★ North West End UK