Abigail's Party - Review

TGtB sent Daniel Flay to review Mike Leigh's 70s suburbian satire - Abigail's Party.

Following a triumphant stint in the West End, Lindsay Posner’s acclaimed revival of Abigail’s Party is currently touring the UK.

The classic 70s satire stars Hannah Waterman, Martin Marquez, Samuel James, Katie Lightfoot and Emily Raymond.

The play centres around Beverly and her workaholic husband Laurence, who have invited round new neighbours, Tony and Ange as well as Sue, a nervous divorcee whose fifteen year old daughter, Abigail, is throwing a party across the road.

As Beverly plies the guests with gin and tonics, cigarettes, Demis Roussos and pineapple and cheese on sticks, ugly secrets are soon revealed and this horribly compelling evening descends into drunkenness and debauchery.

As soon as the play opens audiences are transported back to 1970s Britain. The kitsch interior of Beverly and Laurence’s sitting room is a glow with browns, oranges and leather galore!

Hannah Waterman is incredible as sexually-charged snob Beverly Moss, a department store make-up representative, who tirelessly attempts to impress her guests.  Waterman oozes sex appeal in a long cleavage-bearing green number and Farrah Fawcett inspired wig. Any chance her character has to patronise and assert her superiority over her guests – she’ll take it!

Beverly’s husband, Laurence, played by Martin Marquez is well and truly under the thumb. Laurence speaks in a nasal Essex accent –reminiscent of John Challis’ Boycie. Although he may seem like an utterly boring workaholic estate agent, Laurence soon shows his true colours and nasty temper.

Both characters are fantastically played and engage effortlessly with the other characters on stage.

Samuel James’ monosyllabic and dead pan portrayal of Tony is both comedic and understated while his dim whited and wide eyed wife played by Katie Lightfoot is hilariously naïve to Beverly’s continued advances on her husband.  

Despite its bleak undertones Abigail’s Party is unexpectedly funny and well worth a watch.

Surprisingly the problems of characters, trapped in a suburban nightmare, are just as relevant today.

Abigail's Party will run at The Theatre Royal from Monday April 8th to Saturday April 13th 2013.