Cast and creative team announced for ABIGAIL'S PARTY at Theatre Royal Stratford East

Theatre Royal Stratford East have announced the full cast and creative team for Abigail’s Party, the unmissable tragicomic portrait of social class, materialism, and sexual tension in 1970s England by Mike Leigh, which plays at the venue from 6 September-5 October.

Artistic Director Nadia Fall will direct Tamzin Outhwaite (Eastenders, BBC) as Beverly, Kevin Bishop (The Kevin Bishop Show) as Laurence, Pandora Colin (Dear Octopus, National Theatre) as Susan, Omar Malik (My Beautiful Laundrette, Curve/Leeds Playhouse) as Tony, and Ashna Rabheru (Favour, Bush Theatre) as Angela.

Nadia Fall said: “I’m really looking forward to directing Mike Leigh’s cult classic as my final show as Artistic Director at Stratford East, with a cracking company of actors. This deliciously dark comedy, or tragicomedy as Mike Leigh puts it, peeks behind the twitching curtains of '70s suburbia in all its camp and terrifying glory. Even today, communities living in our inner-city boroughs talk about moving out when they’ve ‘made it’: from the East End to Essex, from South London to Kent, from the dust and noise to the more genteel suburbs. However, these peaceful enclaves can become a hotbed for one-upmanship, feuding couples and nosy neighbours, where the notion of social climbing is still very much alive and kicking.”

The creative team is completed by set & costume designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Howard Harrison, sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, movement director James Cousins, and casting director Amy Ball CDG.

Beverly is hosting, the alcohol is flowing, Demis Roussos is on the record player and the cheese and pineapple cocktail sticks are ready to go. Queen of the castle in her suburban semi, Beverly and husband Laurence welcome new neighbours Angela and Tony round for drinks. Sue from next door is invited too but the real party is happening back at her place, as Sue’s teenage daughter Abigail can’t seem to keep the racket down. Awkward small talk quickly descends into inappropriate flirtation and marital disputes: a soiree from hell but it’d be rude to leave.

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